Jensen Weir turned scraps into goals at the DW Stadium on Thursday, netting twice from positions that collectively generated just 0.20 expected goals. Wigan Athletic beat Milton Keynes Dons 3-1, and the midfielder's ruthless finishing was the difference.
The numbers tell a story of extreme efficiency: Weir overperformed his xG by 1.80, meaning he found the net from situations that would typically yield a goal once every five matches. One was a deflected effort that wrong-footed the keeper, the other a sharp half-volley from the edge of the box that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Neither were gilt-edged opportunities. Both ended up in the back of the net.
Clinical edge in a tight contest
MK Dons had plenty of the ball but lacked Weir's composure in the final third. Wigan's third goal came late to seal the points, but it was the midfielder's brace that broke Dons' resistance. His match rating of 8.7 reflected not just the goals but his overall influence in a game where margins were tight and quality in front of goal was at a premium.
League One is often decided by who takes their chances. On this evidence, Wigan have a midfielder who doesn't need many.