Mauro Boselli finally started to pay off his £6million transfer fee as Wigan claimed a place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Swansea.
The Argentinian striker struck his first goal since his summer move from Estudiantes as Wigan manager Roberto Martinez secured victory over former club Swansea at the DW Stadium.
Cedric van der Gun should have given the Championship visitors an early lead but Boselli gave Wigan a 51st-minute advantage and Ben Watson added a late penalty.
Martinez's side, featuring fit-again captain Gary Caldwell for the first time this season in one of seven changes, were the first to threaten. Mohamed Diame charged forward but the ball got trapped under his feet and Yves Ma-Kalambay was not troubled by his shot.
Swansea almost produced the perfect response and they should have claimed the lead as Darren Pratley sent Van der Gun away with a superb ball. The Dutchman looked certain to score as he closed in on the restored Ali Al Habsi but strangely opted to pass across goal to Craig Beattie, who was flagged offside before turning the ball home.
Wigan began to take greater control of possession at the start of the second half but initially still found it hard to find a way through a determined Swansea side.
The chance they had been waiting for finally arrived six minutes after the restart as Antolin Alcaraz split the visitors' defence with a superb through-ball. Boselli raced through and calmly rounded Ma-Kalambay for a well-taken goal.
That strike appeared to fill the Argentinian with confidence and moments later he fired over when well placed before missing an easy chance for a second by heading wide from a corner.
Swansea battled on but Van der Gun was unable to make the most of a Stephen Dobbie cross in front of goal. The visitors were stretched again when Victor Moses burst clear but Franco di Santo lost possession.
Wigan applied the finishing touch in injury time after substitute Charles N'Zogbia was tripped in the area by Andrea Orlandi and Watson struck from the spot.
Source: PA
