Wigan Athletic claimed victory in their first game back in the Championship by beating 10-man Barnsley 4-0 at Oakwell.

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The visitors made a bright start to the contest and nearly took the lead through Shaun Maloney, but his close-range effort was kept out by keeper Luke Steele.

Wigan opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Ben Watson fired in a low strike from long range to put the away side in control at Oakwell.

Wigan started the second half brightly and extended their lead when Grant Holt redirected Emmerson Boyce's shot into the net.

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Barnsley were reduced to 10 men just past the hour mark when substitute Dale Jennings was sent off for a two-footed tackle on James McArthur.

Leon Barnet further increased Wigan's advantage 10 minutes from time after lifting the ball into the roof of the net following a Wigan corner.

Wigan made it 4-0 two minutes from time when Marc-Antoine Fortune saw his shot blocked but managed to pass the rebound to Maloney to slot home from close range.