High-flying Sheff Utd win at Toure's lowly Wigan

Billy Sharp shot low across Wigan keeper Jamie Jones to put Sheffield United 2-0 up

Sheffield United cemented their position in second in the Championship with victory at Wigan Athletic, ruining Kolo Toure's first home game in charge of the Latics.

Nathan Broadhead reduced the deficit from an offside position for the hosts in the 65th minute, just a minute after they had been denied a credible penalty shout when United's Ciaran Clark appeared to handle Thelo Aasgaard's shot.

The sobering reality for Toure is that his Wigan side head into Christmas in 23rd spot, two points from safety.

• Relive Sheff Utd's win at struggling Wigan

Despite early pressure from the hosts, it was Paul Heckingbottom's Sheffield United who struck first.

Egan thumped home a header from Oliver Norwood's superb eighth-minute corner. It was dreadful defending by the hosts, who had been given a wake-up call just moments earlier when they had goalkeeper Jamie Jones to thank for a save from Iliman Ndiaye, with Sander Berge's follow-up blocked.

At the other end, James McClean was unfortunate to see his right-footed volley spin just past Wes Foderingham's post.

But the Blades continued to cause issues with their high press, with Wigan's defenders - under the guidance of new coach Toure - struggling for composure and clearly ill-at-ease with their opponents' measured aggression.

United almost doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark when the Latics lost possession, allowing Sharp's backheel to fool Jack Whatmough. James McAtee latched onto the ball, only to be denied by another excellent save from Jones.

Sharp finally did add United's second in the 56th minute. Ndiaye's pass was not the best but the veteran striker stroked his low shot past James's left-hand, but just inside his post, to score his second in as many games.

Yet the deficit was to stoke Wigan into a response as they enjoyed their most fruitful period of the game.

Watched by former boss Roberto Martinez, they were appealing for a penalty in the 64th minute when Callum Long's shot fell to Thelo Aasgaard - his effort was by blocked by Clark's arm. Referee Dean Whitestone waved away the protests.

Within a minute those claims were quietened when Wigan reduced the deficit. McClean fired a cross-goal from the left, with the ball landing at Nathan Broadhead's feet, who found the net, despite appeals for offside from the visitors.

The result leaves the winners and losers of this match just one place shy of being the best and worst Championship sides respectively, heading into the festive period.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back Toure was given a warm welcome by Wigan fans before the game, but soon saw his side fall behind