It was clear neither side had indulged over the Christmas period, with both camps playing at a ferocious pace.

But the early exchanges produced no shots on target, until Wigan goalkeeper Jamie Jones thwarted Diallo and Abdoullah Ba in quick succession approaching the 20-minute mark.

Sunderland immediately responded with greater success, as Wigan failed to clear a Jack Clarke’s cross, and although Trai Hume’s subsequent shot was mishit, Ellis Simms was on the end of it to head into an empty net at the far post.

Another quiet period for the two goalkeepers ensued until James McLean’s volley struck the outside of the post.

There was hardly time for the Republic of Ireland international to rue his miss, however, before Sunderland’s Diallo clattered the bar.

And the Manchester United loanee was made to pay for his lack of composure, when Will Keane pounced onto Thelo Aasgard’s saved effort to send the teams into the HT break on level terms.

The second half started as the first ended, the two teams playing at full throttle without testing the opposing shot-stopper.

In an attempt to continue the visitors’ push for promotion, Tony Mowbray introduced three fresh faces after an hour, and two of them combined to put the Black Cats back in front.

Patrick Roberts’ driving run into the box earned his side a penalty after he was felled in the area, and fellow substitute Ross Stewart subsequently converted from the spot via the post.

Wigan initially responded well, but they were ultimately wasteful whenever they found themselves in a dangerous position.

The result was put beyond doubt by Roberts’ deflected strike and a stunning effort from Diallo in the final ten minutes, and Huddersfield Town’s 2-0 victory over Rotherham Town sees the hosts descend to the bottom of the second tier, three points adrift of safety.

Mowbray’s men, meanwhile, move up to fourth and into the play-off spots, allowing supporters to dream of a return to the Premier League.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Patrick Roberts (Sunderland)