Second-half goals from Chey Dunkley and David Perkins helped Wigan Athletic beat Blackpool 3-1 at Bloomfield Road.

The Latics fought back from a going a goal down early on to end The Seasiders’ unbeaten start to the league campaign at home, with Dunkley initially cancelling out a tap-in from Kyle Vassell.

Injury ruled both Clark Robertson and Jimmy Ryan out of the game, while Sean Longstaff and Andy Taylor dropped down to the bench. Will Aimson, Colin Daniel and Viv Solomon-Otabor came into the starting line-up.

The torrential downpours and high winds of storm Brian made conditions difficult for football, yet it played into Blackpool’s favour for the opener. A mix-up between Chey Dunkley and goalkeeper Jamie Jones resulted in the defender heading past his goalkeeper and Kyle Vassell bundling the ball over the line to score.

Though the ball was proving hard to control, discipline and shape was vital out on the pitch to nullify opportunities for the opposition. It took until the 16th minute for Wigan to register their first shot on target, which came from Nick Powell.

The Seasiders were dealt a blow in the 25th minute though, as Vassell was forced off with an injury. Max Clayton came on as his replacement.

The visitors were dominating possession as the half progressed and saw Michal Jacobs clip the post with a header.

Paul Cook’s side continued to push the equaliser, which duly came right before half-time. Gavin Massey was left in acres of space following a corner and allowed to pick his spot for a cross, the ball broke to Dunkley and he hooked the ball in.

Half-Time: Blackpool 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Wigan started the second-half where they left off and took the lead in the 54th minute. A deflected strike found its way through to Dunkley, who fired in from seven-yards to score his and the visitors’ second of the afternoon.

Though the rain had subsided, Blackpool were finding it difficult to fashion chances in the swirling wind. It prompted manager Gary Bowyer to make another change just after the hour mark, as Sean Longstaff replaced Sessi D’Almeida.

The on-loan Newcastle United midfielder was trying to find pockets of space to have an influence on the match, though the only strike he had deflected over the bar.

With Blackpool needing to commit numbers forward, further opportunities opened up for Wigan. Gavin Massey was left in space down the right but fizzed his effort wide from 20-yards.



It didn’t take long for the visitors to increase their advantage though, as former Blackpool midfielder David Perkins found the net minutes after coming on. Armand Gnanduillet saw his clearance cannon back off a team-mate and that presented Perkins with an opportunity that he made the most of.

Gavin Massey had another effort a minute later, but Ryan Allsop did well to deny him.

Full-Time: Blackpool 1 Wigan Athletic 3