Wigan Athletic 0-2 Swansea City: Joel Piroe double dents Latics' survival hopes

Joel Piroe has scored 41 goals since joining Swansea from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2021

Joel Piroe scored both goals as Swansea City delivered a heavy blow to Wigan Athletic's fading Championship survival hopes.

Piroe produced two clinical finishes before missing out on a first-half hat-trick when he struck a post.

The near-miss did not matter for Swansea as they dominated a Wigan side who lacked attacking inspiration.

The Latics stay bottom of the table, eight points adrift of safety with only five games left to play.

After just one win in their last 11 matches, Shaun Maloney's team will need a spectacular upturn in fortunes to prevent an immediate return to League One.

Swansea are in mid-table having found some late-season form, with Russell Martin's side claiming 10 points from their last four matches.

Wigan's afternoon began with promise, as they pressed Swansea early on and carved a chance for James McClean which left Nathan Wood scrambling to clear off the line.

But once they settled, Swansea seized the initiative.

There was an element of fortune about the opening goal, as Jamie Paterson's pass was intended for Jay Fulton and ricocheted into Piroe's path, but there was nothing lucky about the Dutchman's crisp shot into the bottom corner.

A Max Power corner almost brought a Wigan response, with Joel Latibeaudiere making a key intervention to deny Tom Naylor, before Swansea doubled their lead in style.

Russell Martin's team had been denied a penalty when Paterson tumbled under Charlie Hughes' challenge.

They swiftly conjured one of their goals of the season, with a sweet passing move which began in the Swansea penalty area ending with Fulton picking out Piroe just inside the Wigan box.

Piroe's precise strike was too good for Ben Amos, the ball arcing beyond the Wigan goalkeeper and inside the far post.

Joel Piroe celebrates his second goal, which took his tally for the season to 17

Swansea might have been out of sight by half-time, but Piroe missed out on what would have been a 29-minute treble when his half-volley thumped against the post.

The visitors' threat faded after the break, but it was not until the closing stages that Wigan began to exert any pressure.

Leading scorer Will Keane had perhaps their best opportunity but lifted a half-volley over the bar, before fellow substitute Thelo Aasgaard's curling 20-yard effort was well saved by Andy Fisher.

With that, Wigan's fate was sealed.

Wigan manager Shaun Maloney:

"I can't blame the players - the players' effort was very, very good. I will definitely take that result on me.

"I want to be very aggressive in our own stadium. We could have defended for 90 minutes. I am not going to die wondering.

"Swansea are really good on the ball and I made the decision to go very aggressive. The players did everything I asked them to do.

"It probably showed how much work we have to do, on the pitch and probably even more off it. I feel we are going to have a chance in every single game to win it. That gives me the hope, if we take our chances and we are clinical in both boxes."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"Wigan had a really good spell in the second half for 10-15 minutes which they are entitled to have at home - they are really fighting for sure.

"The only disappointment is we don't get that third goal to really kill the game off, but I am really proud of the players. Back-to-back clean sheets - we looked really strong defensively.

"The second goal probably encapsulates everything we work on and try to be. It's a really top goal. It's a really good performance and keeps the momentum going, which is nice.

"Joel Piroe has been amazing since he has been here. He's a great young man, technically he is really gifted, his willingness to learn is incredible. I am so pleased for him."