THE sentiments of the famous phrase about lies, damned lies and statistics appeared to float through Eddie Howe’s mind when he gave his post-match interviews on Saturday.

Some may have been slightly surprised that a team that had not tasted victory in six Championship games had cantered to such a straightforward victory over Wigan, FA Cup winners some 16 months ago.

But was Howe? Not one bit. And such is the boss’s predilection for positivity that when pressed, he pointed out his side had only lost one of their previous six fixtures in all competitions prior to the weekend.

For the Dean Court boss, it was not a disappointing run ended, rather a decent one continued.

There was never a need to rant and rave, smash teacups or soul-search, it was just a matter of producing more of the same – with a few minor tweaks – and the league form would sort out itself.

Cherries did just that in a controlled, dominant performance that sent Wigan home humbled, with only the minuscule consolation that it could have been much worse. Hardly the aim of a team who began the season tipped for promotion.

For Cherries, it was a return to winning ways in the Championship. Just one defeat in seven matches now, with promotion-chasing Derby just round the corner.

Howe made one change to the side that drew 1-1 at Watford the previous weekend, with Yann Kermorgant restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Eunan O’Kane.

Centre-half Steve Cook, who pulled out of the League Cup win over Cardiff after sustaining a groin injury in the warm-up, was passed fit to return.

Starting in bright fashion, Cherries created their first opportunity within 90 seconds. Ian Harte’s corner was brought down by Simon Francis on the edge of the box and the right-back hooked clear of the target as defenders closed in.

Striker Callum Wilson directed wide before a fine passing move in the 16th minute nearly produced an opener of superb quality.

After Harry Arter’s wonderful cross-field pass picked out Wilson, the ball went to Kermorgant and then Matt Ritchie, who forced a block from keeper Scott Carson from a tricky angle.

A constant irritation for the visitors, Ritchie brought another save out of Carson before Wigan’s Emyr Huws launched an effort into the Steve Fletcher Stand from range.

There was another sighter for Ritchie midway through the half when Wilson scampered to collect Harte’s deep cross. The striker fed Francis who played square to Ritchie and the winger’s low drive fizzed a fraction wide of the right upright.

Kermorgant went even closer a minute later when he hit Junior Stanislas’s pass first time but the unsighted Carson did superbly to get a strong hand to the ball and divert away from danger.

A rare opportunity arrived for the Latics when centre-back Ivan Ramis headed over, but the bulk of the pressure was still at the other end.

Eight minutes before the break, Cherries got the goal they thoroughly deserved. Andrew Surman found Ritchie down the left and the former Swindon man dug out a deep delivery for Kermorgant, who shrugged off Robert Kiernan before heading across Carson and into the net.

After the break, Cherries picked up where they left off. Good work by Stanislas created the chance for Arter to shoot from the corner of the box, but the midfielder fired off-target.

Boruc, who had spent most of the game as a spectator, let Martyn Waghorn and Tommy Elphick know he was there when he wiped out both players in punching clear a cross.

The pace of the game picked up and off a counter-attack begun by Arter, frontman Wilson stung the palms of Carson from a narrow angle.

Marc-Antoine Fortune and Kermorgant both tried their luck with headers, to no avail, and in the 66th minute, Wigan boss Uwe Rosler threw on Oriol Riera and Leon Barnett in a bid to turn the tide.

A whipped, in-swinging free-kick by Stanislas caused Carson considerable concern before Boruc made a rare foray into action as he snatched a through ball away from Fortune, who was at full pelt.

With 15 minutes remaining, Francis’s tireless efforts were rewarded when he finished off a scintillating second goal.

In an advanced area, the full-back played inside to Ritchie, whose pass was dummied by Stanislas and tapped diagonally into the area by Kermorgant, with Francis sending his side-footed shot through Carson’s legs.

Wilson came within a whisker of adding a spectacular third but his flick from Harte’s corner was parried by Carson before Barnett hammered the ball to safety.

After that, Cherries’ concerns were only minor. Surman did well to intervene as Huws readied himself to pull the trigger, while Boruc was alert to repel substitute Andy Delort’s late free-kick.

STAR MAN – SIMON FRANCIS

It’s not often that a right-back runs a game but in many senses, Francis did just that.

The energy he showed was remarkable. Time after time he charged forward to create untold problems alongside Matt Ritchie, only to sprint back moments later to help nullify a Wigan attack.

Francis’s goal was just reward for an afternoon of endeavour and he took it superbly, showing great composure to beat Latics stopper Scott Carson.

With excellent displays against Leeds, Watford and now Wigan, the defender has once again proved himself one of Cherries’ most valuable and reliable performers.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries: Boruc 7; Francis 8.5, Elphick 7.5, Cook 7.5, Harte 8; Ritchie 8, Arter 8 (Gosling, 89), Surman 7.5, Stanislas 8 (Pugh, 84); Wilson 7.5, Kermorgant 8 (O'Kane, 75).

Unused subs: Smith, Daniels, Pitman, Camp (g/k).

Booked: Elphick, Arter.

Latics: Carson; Perch, Boyce, Ramis (Delort, 75), Kiernan (Barnett, 66), Taylor; Huws, Cowie, Forshaw; Fortune, Waghorn (Riera, 66).

Unused subs: Taverner, Kvist, Maloney, Al Habsi (g/k).

Booked: Cowie.

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).

Attendance: 8,754 (422 away supporters).