With virtually the same team who had won only one of their previous four home games, Wigan outshone woeful Leeds as outstanding forwards Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts took their combined tally for the season to 35.
Alan Mahon’s wonderfully struck third goal 15 minutes from the end gave the scoreline something approaching a realistic look as Wigan showed what it might take to reach the Premiership, reminding the watching Joe Royle, manager of Championship leaders Ipswich, that they will not give up on the title race either.
“It was our best performance of the season. We started well and got better,” said Wigan manager Paul Jewell. “Leeds could not deal with the movement, pace and power of our front two. The only concern at half-time was that we had not made the most of all of our opportunities, but credit to the players — they came out and dominated again afterwards.”
Wigan enjoyed the romp in front of their biggest crowd of the season, swollen by more than 5,000 supporters from Leeds, who brought a rare atmosphere to the JJB stadium.
Leeds were doubtless relieved that they were trailing only 1-0 at the break to Ellington’s 19th goal of the season when he tucked away a cross from Gary Teale after it had been missed by Sean Gregan and Paul Butler.
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Butler, the Leeds captain, was given a wretched afternoon by Roberts in particular and more than once required the help of Neil Sullivan, who saved well from Roberts and Jimmy Bullard, while Lee McCulloch should have scored when a pass from Roberts left him with just the Leeds keeper to beat.
Leeds briefly threatened a revival immediately after half-time but by the time substitute Frazer Richardson had missed their only genuine chance, Wigan were already two goals ahead.
Roberts deserved at least one goal, as he also later hit a post, but when it did come, the striker knew little about it as he got the final touch to a goalbound header from McCulloch. Mahon’s effort at least provided a more fitting finale as he collected a loose ball 25 yards from goal and drilled a left-foot shot into the top corner.
Leeds can always rely on huge support but on this evidence it is highly doubtful that they will be watching top-flight football next season.
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STAR MAN: Jason Roberts (Wigan)
Player ratings. Wigan: Filan 6, Eaden 7, Jackson 7, Breckin 7, Baines 7, Teale 8, Bullard 8, Mahon 8, McCulloch 7, Ellington 8 (Jarrett 87min, 6), Roberts 9 (Graham 83min, 6)
Leeds: Sullivan 8, Kelly 5, Carlisle 5, Butler 4, Gray 5, Gregan 5, Lennon 6, Wright 5 (Richardson 63min, 6), Derry 4, Hulse 5, Healy 6
Scorers: Wigan: Ellington 10, Roberts 56, Mahon 75
Referee: P Joslin
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Attendance: 17,177