Wigan 1 West Brom 2 - match report

Morrison returned from injury to thunder home Chris Brunt's cross and help Clarke's men stay level on points with the top four.

Wigan's Gary Caldwell deflected Billy Jones's cross-shot into his own net just before half-time to double the Baggies' lead but the Latics immediately pulled a goal back through Aruna Kone to set up a tense second half.

However, the Baggies stood firm to reach the 20-point mark just 11 games into the campaign.

They did it with a surprising new 4-4-2 system and without keeper Ben Foster, who was ruled out before the game with a groin problem.

Wigan made the early running and Maynor Figueroa and James McCarthy both sent long-range efforts just wide in the opening minutes.

And they gave the Baggies another scare when former Hawthorns loanee collected a pass from Jean Beausejour and hit a shot that stand-in keeper Boaz Myhill – who was in for injured No.1 Ben Foster – parried with Chris Brunt hooking clear.

Liam Ridgwell had to make a hurried clearance when Shaun Maloney's cross almost found Kone at the far post.

But Albion gradually found their feet and Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi had to rush to the edge of his box to block at James Morrison's feet after the Albion midfielder pounced on a poor pass and raced towards goal.

The Baggies went ahead on 31 minutes when Brunt found himself in space on the left and delivered a perfect cross, which Morrison surged into the box to finish with a thunderous header.

And it was 2-0 two minutes before half-time when Romelu Lukaku's fine ball released Billy Jones on the overlap and he skipped past Watson before seeing his low shot deflected in by Caldwell.

But the two-goal cushion lasted just two minutes before the Baggies were caught napping at the back.

Beausejour's left-wing cross found its way to Kone, who tapped in from a couple of yards.

The Latics started the second half brightly and Myhill had to get down low to keep out a long-range shot from Watson.

Gary Caldwell had an excellent chance with a header from a corner but he sent his effort well wide.

But at the other end a clever move involving Morrison and the hard-working Shane Long teed up Lukaku, whose fierce effort was tipped over the bar superbly by Al Habsi.

Wigan tried their luck with 18 minutes remaining Franco Di Santo advanced down their left and crossed for Maloney, who screwed a shot over from just inside the box.

And 10 minutes later there was an even better chance for the hosts as Beausejour's cross was headed goalwards by Di Santo.

But it hit Kone, who could only deflect it over the bar with his head.

And in the dying moments Beausejour glances a Maloney cross wide as Kone waited behind him to pounce.

By Steve Madeley