Sunderland started brightly and had the first shot on target in the 13th minute, with Michael Chopra's 25-yard free-kick forcing Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to tip over the crossbar. But the home side took the lead in the 19th minute after winger Antonio Valencia beat Sunderland left-back Ross Wallace, and although his cross was deflected by Paul McShane, Heskey was on hand to turn the ball home from eight yards. Wigan were then denied an opportunity to extend their lead when referee Mike Riley refused to give a penalty for Greg Halford's clumsy lunge from behind on Wigan playmaker Jason Koumas.

Valencia almost allowed Sunderland back into the game when he gave the ball away in his own half, allowing Kieran Richardson to play in Daryl Murphy, but his leftfooted shot across goal was too close to Kirkland, who saved with his left foot. Heskey then went close to claiming his second goal from Landzaat's free-kick, with Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon doing well to tip over the forward's back-post header.

Sunderland replaced Anthony Stokes and Dwight Yorke with Danny Collins and Liam Miller at half-time. Ross Wallace went close to scoring an equaliser in the 55th minute from Miller's rightwing cross, but Wigan's new Swedish defender Andreas Granqvist deflected his 10yard shot wide. However, Sunderland's defence was again outmuscled by the home attack as Riley awarded a 61st-minute penalty against Collins for grappling with Sibierski, and Landzaat sidefooted the spot-kick home.

Another substitute, Russell Anderson, was adjudged to have fouled Heskey in the 69th minute and this time Sibierski stepped up to hit the penalty down the middle and give Wigan a comfortable victory and condemn Sunderland to their first defeat of the new season.