Premier League: Sunderland 1 Wigan 0

Sunderland earned their first league win of the season with a 1-0 win over Wigan in a game that was a tale of two halves.

A red card for Jordi Gomez reduced Wigan to 10 men just after the break, with Steven Fletcher crashing home the winner after 51 minutes.

Wigan started impressively, troubled Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal after just three minutes. The home defence fumble a poor clearance before gifting the ball to James McCarthy, who drove a fearsome left-footed strike towards goal only to see it narrowly saved by the foot of Mignolet.

Wigan looked certain to break the deadlock on the quarter hour mark.

Jean Beausejour crossed for Arouna Kone, who hit a beautifully connected strike on the volley only to see Mignolet produce an outstanding left sided dive.

Sunderland hit back through Sebastian Larsson who whipped in a curling free kick only to see Ivan Ramis narrowly scramble it off the line.

The visitors countered with a fast-paced run through Gomez who found Kone, who caught the ball awkwardly before watching it fly into the hands of Mignolet.

After a promising period of possession, Sunderland were on the back-foot heading to the break.

McCarthy looked set to break the deadlock when he fired a powerful shot at goal, bringing a marvellous save from Mignolet on his right.

Referee Howard Webb took command with the second half just seconds old, showing Wigan’s Gomez a red card for a reckless studs-up challenge on Danny Rose just inside the visitors’ half.

Sunderland drew much confidence from Gomez’s dismissal, pushing forward with pace.

James McClean shot at goal drifted to Fletcher, who blasted across the area, breezing past Wigan’s Ali Al Habsi with frightening ease to put his side ahead.

Wigan were lucky not to concede again just minutes later when Stephane Sessegnon hit a right-footed screamer across goal which produced a diving save from Al Habsi.

The visitors’ defence endured another close shave when McClean cut through the Wigan midfield and sent in a well-aimed cross over the six-yard box before failing to find a Sunderland player near the post.

A Wigan comeback looked likely when Beausejour laid off a fine pass for substitute Franco Di Santo, but the striker’s finish ended in the stands much to the enjoyment of the Sunderland faithful.