Sunderland came from behind to seal an opening day victory thanks to a Ross Stewart winner.
Gwion Edwards’ strike gave the Latics the lead, but moments later Aiden McGeady’s spot kick levelled the scores going into the break. Stewart gave the lads the lead in the early stages of the second half and that was enough for all three points.
Lee Johnson handed debuts to Corry Evans and Callum Doyle, with Carl Winchester and Dan Neil operating in the full back roles.
It had been 518 days since the Stadium of Light was opened up to all, and welcomed back over 30 thousand supporters for the opening day of the 2021/22 League One season.
Wigan were the first to have a chance on goal as Lee Burge made a mess of a shot by Callum Lang; there was a scramble in the box and dropped to Max Power who’s fierce effort was blocked and away to safety.
The away side had started the better and took the lead 15 minutes in. Will Keane hit the post from the edge of the area and it dropped to Gwion Edwards who was on hand to tuck it away.
Less than a minute later, Sunderland went up the other end and were awarded a penalty as Ross Stewart was bundled to the ground. Aiden McGeady stepped up and calmly slotted it in to level the scores.
Following the goal, Sunderland had rallied and were looking more and more confident on the ball. An Embleton corner was met by Tom Flanagan at the back post but was comfortably saved by Ben Amos.
The lads were now on top and a cross by Dan Neil from the left was hit towards goal by Winchester towards Gooch, who did his best to turn it goalwards.
On the break, Wigan game close to retaking the lead through Max Power; the ball was played in from the right, but the former Sunderland man couldn’t find the target.
McGeady and Embleton were central to all the good going forward; Dan Neil played a defence splitting ball to McGeady, who picked out Embleton but the youngster couldn’t keeper his header down.
Despite a relatively shaky start, the lads had settled down and with just over five to play in the half, Johnson would have been content with the first 40 minutes.
Sunderland had edged the early stages of the second half and Embleton’s corner was met by the head of Ross Stewart to fire home and give the lads the lead.
The big Scot up top for Sunderland was causing problems for the Wigan backline; Gooch chipped a ball to the back post, but Stewart couldn’t direct his header goalwards.
Gooch proved to me a menace down the right-hand side and the American jinked inside on his left and had Amos beaten all ends up but saw his effort bounce back off the post.
Wigan were far from out of the game and on the break Edwards forced a save from Burge who could only parry an effort which fortunately evaded Charlie Wyke.
With just under 15 minutes to play the game was finely poised with the lads needing to see the game through to the end.
With five minutes to play Bailey Wright was introduced to hold on to the lead as the side switched to a five at the back.
Wigan pushed but failed to create anything in the latter stages as the lads secured the three points in front of over 30 thousand fans.
Full time: Sunderland 2-1 Wigan
ALS Man of the Match: Ross Stewart
