Ireland internationals Will Keane and James McClean were key in Wigan's 2-1 Championship victory away to Huddersfield on Tuesday evening.
Keane scored his third goal in eight appearances from the penalty spot after 25 minutes to put Wigan ahead. They held that lead until the 76th minute when Tom Lees got an equaliser for Huddersfield.
Six minutes later, Wigan got their winner when McClean - who was booed by the home crowd throughout the game - found Callum Lang in the box with a cross from the left. Lang turned in the box, and hit a low shot past Lee Nicholls in the Huddersfield goal. It was Lang's first goal of the season, and McClean's first assist.
The victory was Wigan's third of the season, and takes them up to eighth in the Championship on 13 points.
Prior to the game, there was a minute's silence held for the recently deceased Queen Elizabeth II. McClean stood apart from his Wigan teammates as the tribute was observed. Post-match, the away fans sung McClean's name as the Wigan players thanked their supporters.
"It epitomises where they are at the minute, and long may that continue," Wigan manager Leam Richardson told Latics TV about the win.
"To win away late again - we did it at Luton, Birmingham City and we’ve done it tonight - (is very pleasing).
"It’s a challenging place to come against a team that is full of good players, and we knew the challenge that was right in front of us.
oh yes #wafc pic.twitter.com/U6GuBLQCjl
— oli (@OliWAFC) September 13, 2022
"I thought in the first half, we were excellent. I thought the game turned on (the missed chances) a little bit, but to respond from the equaliser, it’s a credit to the players and a credit to the staff. It’s great character and a great habit to have.
"I thought they worked hard enough to create that bit of luck, and to show the character to stay in the game, take the punches and go up the other end to get the winner.
"They’ve worked hard during the last 7-10 days, but I thought we were good value for the result. To come here, be competitive, and control the ball in large parts was pleasing."
Wigan fans chanting James McClean's name tonight. He assisted the winning goal as they beat Huddersfield away 2-1.pic.twitter.com/UM3aYuJLGy
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 13, 2022
See Also: James McClean Stands Apart From Teammates During Minute's Silence For Queen
