Conor McAleny scored a cracking goal in his debut for Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

The Everton youngster has been on loan once already this season, serving two months at Charlton Athletic before being recalled by the Toffees in November.

With Romelu Lukaku and Arouna Kone in form, and the January arrival of Oumar Niasse, McAleny continued to struggle for game time at Goodison Park and was sent out on loan again, this time to Wigan on transfer deadline day.

In his first appearance for the Latics, the 23-year-old started his loan spell in the best way possible.

Collecting the ball off Max Power, McAleny dispatched a rasping drive from 18 yards out, leaving Sheffield United goalkeeper George Long with no chance.

Check out the goal below:

Wigan defeated the Blades 2-0, which leaves them in third position on the League One table, six points behind leaders Burton Albion.


The man who provided McAleny with the assist, Power, was elated for his new teammate,

“I'm made up for Conor that he got a goal on his first appearance," said Power, speaking to the Wigan Observer.

“He's had a tough time with injuries in the last few years, but he's a top quality player and the squad's a lot better for him being here.

“He looked like he's been with us for the whole season, and that's the sign of a quality player.

“He's settled in really well off the field, he's quite local to Wigan anyway, and he's hit the ground running."

McAleny will be hoping that his new home in League One can provide him with some consistency and most importantly, goals, as he looks to make an impression on new boss Gary Caldwell as well as Everton's Roberto Martinez.

By Andrew Maclean