Hogan left out as Brentford lose at Wigan
Wigan Athletic 2 Brentford 1
Brentford, who omitted striker Scott Hogan from their squad, lost at the DW Stadium despite a late goal by substitute Jota.
Top scorer Hogan, a transfer target for West Ham, was declared to be available for selection by boss Dean Smith but was not even been included on the bench.
The Bees certainly appeared to be affected as Wigan took a deserved 2-0 lead into half-time.
After Latics defender Callum Connolly – on loan from Everton – had threatened from a couple of corners and Sam Morsy had struck the post with a left-footed shot, the home side scored twice in four minutes.
Morsy was the architect of both, first finding the top corner from the edge of the box and then his cross-cum-shot was diverted into his own net by Bees skipper Harlee Dean.
Dean Smith’s side survived another scare early in the second half, when ex-Fulham defender Dan Burn hammered over from 10 yards, but they did improve markedly from there on in.
John Egan shot just wide on the turn, Lasse Vibe’s deflected effort also went the wrong side of the post and Andreas Bjelland forced a fine save from Wigan keeper Jakob Haugaard.
After Michael Jacobs curled an effort wide for the hosts, Brentford did pull one back when Haugaard denied Philipp Hofmann only for Jota to snap up the rebound, but it was to no avail.
Brentford: Bentley; Dean, Egan (Hofmann 63), Bjelland; Colin, Yennaris, McEachran (Jota 55), Woods, Field; Sawyers (Clarke 75), Vibe.
Subs not used: Bonham, Barbet, Cole, Kerschbaumer.
