Bolton 4-0 Wigan: The Sunday Mirror match report

It may not be one of the more evocative derbies in the global game, but this victory meant the world to Bolton.

Their first goals in five matches against Wigan served to finally put the bumptious neighbours in their place.

Better still, the easy win hauled them four points clear of Roberto Martinez’s team and almost within sight of ­Premier League security for yet another season.

Owen Coyle’s men revealed a cutting edge to go with their familiar commitment, and Wigan, for all their individual skills, were overpowered. Hugo Rodallega, Wigan’s match-winning hero against Liverpool earlier in the week, was too often isolated and left to fight an unequal contest against Bolton’s uncompromising defenders.

The home side, by stark ­contrast, hunted in packs, each member hungry for goals and by the end they had ­satisfied themselves by ­devouring Wigan’s fragile back line.

Gary Caldwell, at the heart of Wigan’s defence, had a day to forget but then he was far from the only player in orange culpable for the shambles.

Bolton’s desire and menace were epitomised by their ­skipper Kevin Davies, who grabbed a deserved goal, and midfield enforcer Fabrice Muamba, scorer of the side’s third goal.

The much-maligned Johan Elmander gave Bolton an early lead yet Wigan had their ­moments and Jussi ­Jaaskelainen saved brilliantly from Charles N’Zogbia.

Once Davies had converted a penalty, at the start of the second half, the contest was effectively over. Muamba and substitute Matt Taylor danced through all too easily to pile on the anguish for Wigan.

It might have been different had Wigan been awarded an early penalty.

Rodallega ­tumbled under the attention of Zat Knight but referee Mike Dean was unmoved. Martinez had more cause for complaint when ­Bolton took the lead — though this time the ­frustration was with his own ­defence.

Davies won the ball in the air with a characteristic leap, Caldwell failed to clear and Elmander did enough to beat Chris Kirkland.

The Wigan keeper did then manage to repel Davies’ ­header as the Bolton man again out-jumped the Wigan defence.

Wigan launched a rare ­counter-attack, only for N’Zogbia to shoot tamely after running on to Rodallega’s clever flick.

Wigan’s frustration turned to despair early in the second half after the hapless Caldwell brought down Tamir Cohen and Davies calmly converted from the penalty spot. Bolton underlined their ruthless ­intent with a ­splendid third goal.

Chung-Yong Lee fed ­Muamba, who turned Caldwell inside-out before placing his shot beyond Kirkland.

Taylor came on for Jack Wilshere and moments later helped himself to Bolton’s fourth with Wigan in total ­disarray.