Wigan Athletic have first defeat of the season

Leyton Orient 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic were unable to build on their opening-day victory, slipping to defeat against Leyton Orient.

Author | Jamie P

Stadium | Brisbane Road

View from behind the goal

An unfortunate first-half own goal from Steven Sessegnon and a clinical second-half finish by Josh Koroma sealed the points for the hosts, who enjoyed the greater share of possession and kept Wigan largely on the back foot.

More analysis of what happened

Ryan Lowe named an unchanged side from last weekend’s win, with summer signings Christian Saydee and Dara Costelloe again leading the line and Sam Tickle in goal. Fraser Murray and Jensen Weir retained their places after scoring in the opener, while academy graduate Tobias Brenan was handed a second competitive start.

Wigan suffered an early setback when James Carragher was forced off injured, prompting Jon Mellish to step in and Sessegnon to move into a more central role. Orient took the lead just before the 20-minute mark when Koroma’s curling cross was inadvertently turned in by Sessegnon. The hosts continued to press, going close through Diallang Jaiyesimi, whose fierce strike rolled narrowly wide.

READ MORE | Wigan Athletic start season with a win

READ MORE | League One 25/26 season

Mellish provided a rare attacking spark for Wigan late in the first half, driving forward into the final third before being halted by Sean Clare’s sliding challenge. Tyrese Francois also tested Orient keeper Sam Howes with a tame effort just before the break.

The visitors began the second half with more urgency, Weir shooting just wide after being set up by Saydee. But any hopes of a comeback were dented on the hour when Koroma doubled Orient’s advantage with a powerful drive from the edge of the box. Jaiyesimi almost added a third moments later, only to be denied by Tickle’s reflex save.

Wigan’s task became insurmountable when Sessegnon was shown a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Aaron Connolly. With a man down and two goals adrift, the game drifted away from Lowe’s side, who will turn their attention to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Notts County.