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Jonny Howson has now netted three goals in his last four Championship games

Jonny Howson scored the game's only goal to give Norwich City their first win in five Championship games against struggling Wigan.

The goal came early on, Howson given time and space inside the box to smash a shot past goalkeeper Scott Carson.

The Canaries could have doubled their lead but Cameron Jerome missed a fantastic chance minutes later.

Wigan improved late on but failed to any create clear-cut chances as their winless run extended to six games.

With both teams coming into the match in poor form the first goal was bound to be crucial to its outcome.

The hosts had won just one of their last 14 Championship games and Howson's fierce shot, after just five minutes, knocked their confidence.

Norwich dominated the first half and just two minutes later Jerome, who has scored nine league goals this season, got the wrong side of Maynor Figueroa only to hit a weak shot straight at Carson.

Wigan eventually got a foothold in the game and Marc-Antoine Fortune shot straight at John Ruddy before Callum McManaman cut inside and shot past the post.

After the break James Perch headed James McClean's free-kick towards goal but Ruddy easily gathered.

The home side's efforts in the final third were generally wayward and despite their endeavour Norwich always seemed likely to see the game out.

The result saw Norwich move up to eighth, just two points outside the play-off places, while Wigan remain in trouble in 23rd, three points from safety.

Wigan manager Malky Mackay: "We started slowly, lost a goal after five minutes, and for 15-20 minutes we weren't good enough in everything we were doing.

"But I was happy with the character in the team to come back in the second half and dominate the game the way we did.

"We flashed 20-odd crosses across their box, but you have to put the ball in the back of the net and you have to take your chances."

Norwich manager Neil Adams: "We came here with an intention, with a game-plan to win the game, and I was delighted with the manner we went about it.

"We've all felt the pressure, absolutely, and rightly so. A club like Norwich, with 27,000 fans in the Championship, is expected to perform.

"When results don't go your way, pressure tends to intensify. That's how it should be, and you have to step up to it and face it."