Maupay scores twice to put Brentford second

Brentford 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Neal Maupay marked his return from suspension with both goals as the Bees beat 10-man Wigan to climb to second place in the Championship.

The French forward had already forced two smart saves from Wigan goalkeeper Christian Walton before he pounced to put Brentford ahead in the 24th minute.

Josh McEachran’s searching pass picked out Said Benrahma, who exchanged passes with Lewis Macleod and delivered a low cross for Maupay to tap home.

At the other end, Dan Bentley did well to tip over Nick Powell’s snap shot but the Latics’ hopes received a fatal blow when they had Sam Morsy sent off for headbutting Yoann Barbet early in the second half.

Five minutes later Maupay wrapped up the points with his seventh goal of the season, stabbing in from close range after Barbet’s drive had taken a deflection.

The Bees’ margin of victory could have been greater but for Walton, who denied Ollie Watkins and Maupay again, as well as turning Macleod’s thunderbolt behind.