Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega scored in the second half to lift Wigan out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Wolverhampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Gomez put the hosts ahead with a 65th-minute free kick that went in off the underside of the crossbar and Rodallega deflected in the second in the 85th.
''After six games without a win at home we needed a win. It was a very good performance,'' Gomez said. ''We only had two goals but the team is keeping working and the goals will come.''
A fourth straight league loss for Wolves came after having captain Karl Henry sent off after 11 minutes for a reckless challenge on Gomez, catching the Spaniard on the shins.
''I thought we played well with the 10 men,'' Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said. ''No arguments with the sending off. It's a bad decision (by Henry). It's just sad for Karl, he's not that way inclined with regard to kicking people. It's a deserved red card.''
The sending off came with Wolves facing criticism for a perceived over-physical style of play. Henry was denounced for his rough treatment of Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton earlier in the season, and Fulham striker Bobby Zamora broke his leg in a challenge with the Wolves midfielder.
Wigan couldn't exploit its numerical advantage in the first half. The team's lack of invention was exposed as it was restricted to a series of wayward shots from distance until just before half time when Gomez could only deflect Charles N'Zogbia's cross past the far post with goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann stranded.
Within seconds of the restart, Wigan should have been ahead. Rodallega found space on the right of the penalty area and passed to Franco Di Santo, who appeared to have the simple task of slotting the ball home from six yards.
But the Argentine scuffed his shot just enough to allow Hahnemann to get a hand to the ball and the Wolves defense managed to clear.
Wigan was demonstrating more creativity in attack, with James McCarthy firing a shot at Hahnemann, and when Dave Edwards fouled N'Zogbia on the edge of the area, Gomez curled home the free kick.
Di Santo nearly caught out Hahnemann with a dipping volley from 25 yards (meters), but the American just managed to palm the ball behind for a corner.
Hahnemann was beaten again when Rodallega latched onto N'Zogbia's throughball. It was the first time Wigan had managed two goals in a league game this season.
