Wigan Athletic scored seven goals in the first half to numb relegated Hull City before scoring the biggest win in the championship history.
The result matched Bournemouth’s 8-0 win over Birmingham City in 2014 and set a new record win for the Latics.
In an exceptional first 45 minutes at DW Stadium, Kal Naismith, Jamal Lowe and Joe Williams made it onto the hosts’ top scorer list, while Kieffer Moore and Kieran Dowell scored twice.
Dowell ended his hat trick after the break, but that was where the scoring ended.
While the end result was breathtaking, the outcome was crucial for both sides.
The Latics, which have a 12-point deduction for the upcoming entry into administration, are now two games 12 points above the relegation zone.
However, Hull’s sad shape in 2020 continues, and this low point places her one point in the bottom three. Grant McCann’s team has won only once and lost 14 in their last 18 games.
The Tigers encounter their opponents Luton and Play-off chasing Cardiff in their last two games, but there was little of that feat to inspire confidence in their survival.
The milestones of the game
- Wigan’s biggest league win of all time – topped the 7-0 win over Oxford United in 2017
- Hull conceded eight goals in a league game for the first time since November 1911 (0: 8 against Wolves)
- Wigan was the first team to score eight goals at home in the English second division since Manchester City defeated Huddersfield 10-1 in 1987
- Synonymous with the biggest win in the second division since renaming to championship in 2004 (Birmingham 0-8 Bournemouth in 2014)
Incredible 45 minutes
Paul Cooks Wigan had been the second-lowest scorer in the league before Tuesday’s game, but the big win has left their goal difference in a positive territory that could be a key factor in their survival.
Naismith opened the scoring for the Latics within the first minute after nodding Dowell’s short corner home, while Moore landed well in the box after a good job from Lowe, who gave him the ball.
Lowe registered another assist for Dowell to score Wigan’s third goal, before shortly thereafter placing himself on the points list with a cool finish.
Moore headed home from a cross from Nathan Byrne to add to Hull’s misery, while Dowell added a second moment before Williams scored Wigan’s seventh goal just before the break.
What does this win mean for Wigan?
Despite their good shape on both sides of football’s lock in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, Wigan’s hopes of survival depend on continuing their impressive run after taking office.
If they land outside the bottom three places this season, their 12-point deduction will be implemented immediately, which means that they must stay at least 12 points away from the relegation zone.
The Latics started the game with a better goal difference of 11 compared to Hull, which was a small advantage if their withdrawal came into play this season, but their seven goals in the first half alone extended it to 25 goals.
Given the shadow of layoffs, wage cuts, and fan funding to get to the games, this remarkable victory could be the tonic the club needs to maintain its championship status.
Are Hull doomed to fail?
For Hull, this was an achievement to be forgotten. Due to their dark shape this year, their chances of survival are even lower due to the campaign’s 23rd loss.
Hull has not played in the third division of English football since 2005 and has been promoted to the Premier League in recent years.
These glorious days look like a distant memory as they slipped to their greatest defeat since the Wolves’ 0-0 victory in 1911.
It seemed to be a comfort in Hull’s fate when the game ended after Keane Lewis-Potter appeared to have been overthrown by Nathan Byrne.
Referee Tony Harrington, however, changed his mind after pointing first to the spot at a moment that Hull symbolized for a nightmare night.
