Wigan Athletic 1-2 Sheffield United: Billy Sharp & John Egan goals give Blades win
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Billy Sharp shot low across Wigan keeper Jamie Jones to put Sheffield United 2-0 up
Sheffield United cemented their position in second in the Championship with victory at Wigan Athletic, ruining Kolo Toure's first home game in charge of the Latics.
The Blades are just three points behind leaders Burnley and now five ahead of Blackburn Rovers thanks to goals either side of the break from John Egan and Billy Sharp.
Nathan Broadhead reduced the deficit from an offside position for the hosts in the 65th minute, just a minute after they had been denied a credible penalty shout when United's George Baldock appeared to handle Thelo Aasgaard's shot.
The sobering reality for Toure is that his Wigan side head into Christmas in 23rd spot, two points from safety.
Despite early pressure from the hosts, it was Paul Heckingbottom's Blades who struck first.
Egan thumped home a header from Oliver Norwood's superb eighth-minute corner. It was dreadful defending by the hosts, who had been given a wake-up call just moments earlier when goalkeeper Jamie Jones saved from Iliman Ndiaye, with Sander Berge's follow-up blocked.
At the other end, James McClean was unfortunate to see his right-footed volley spin just past Wes Foderingham's post.
But the Blades continued to cause issues with their high press as Wigan's defenders - under the guidance of new coach Toure - struggled for composure and were clearly ill-at-ease with their opponents' measured aggression.
United almost doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark when the Latics lost possession, allowing Sharp's backheel to fool Jack Whatmough. James McAtee latched onto the ball, only to be denied by another excellent save from Jones.
Sharp finally did add United's second in the 56th minute. Ndiaye's pass was not the best but the veteran striker stroked his low shot past James's left hand, but just inside his post, to score his second in as many games.
Yet the deficit stoked Wigan into a response as they enjoyed their most fruitful period of the game.
Watched by former boss Roberto Martinez, they were appealing for a penalty in the 64th minute when Callum Lang's shot fell to Aasgaard and his effort was by blocked by Baldock's arm. Referee Dean Whitestone waved away the protests.
Within a minute those claims were forgotten when Wigan reduced the deficit. McClean fired in a cross from the left, with the ball landing at Broadhead's feet, who found the net, despite appeals for offside from the visitors.
The result leaves the winners and losers of this match just one place shy of being the best and worst Championship sides respectively, heading into the festive period.
Former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back Toure was given a warm welcome by Wigan fans before the game, but soon saw his side fall behind
Wigan boss Kolo Toure:
"We are frustrated because in the first half we weren't creative enough on the ball. Sheffield are a very dominant team, but in the second half we had more confidence.
"The second goal we gave them really and that changed it, but we did well to come back. It was very hard for us.
"But I have a lot of optimism. We controlled the game well, we have to focus on what we did well in the second half. I'm pleased we have no time to reflect. Our next game is coming very quickly."
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom:
"We had to really earn those points. I thought we were cruising at 2-0 but a couple of errors reduced that. It made it difficult when the home team are coming at you, but we managed to see it out.
"John Egan has been due one and hopefully that'll be the first of many. Corners are important. We want to be positive in different areas. It was Egan and Oliver [Norwood] who can take credit for that.
"As for Billy Sharp, he's got his goal - we knew it wouldn't be long - but in the first half especially he led the line well and kept Wigan under pressure. Our way to goal was high regains and we should have been more than one ahead at half-time. It could have been a lot more comfortable for us, but we let ourselves down at times.
"We are bothered about picking up as many points as possible. The more we do now, the better it'll stand us towards the end of this season. We need to make sure we're in the shake-up."