Lightning strikes twice for Di Santo

Wigan Athletic 2 Queens Park Rangers 0: Wigan's Argentinian finds his range at last to sink Warnock's Rangers as Barton looks on from stands

Joey Barton will have seen little to dissuade him from the conclusion that he has made an intelligent decision in joining QPR, despite two goals from Franco Di Santo condemning the Premier League newcomers to defeat while the midfielder watched from the directors' box.

Neil Warnock was similarly upbeat despite a second defeat in three top flight games, courtesy of two goals from Di Santo who scored as many times in 65 minutes as he had in the previous three and a half years in England with Chelsea, Blackburn and at the DW Stadium.

The Rangers manager was quick – and witty – in pointing out that both goals took deflections: "If you were Di Santo, you would fill in a lottery ticket tonight because both shots were going wide." And he was equally quick to sing the praises of Barton and the former Aston Villa full-back Luke Young, who signed on Friday but missed out on making his debuthere because of an administrative error.

"I'm disappointed Luke wasn't playing today," Warnock said. "I worked three days to try and get it done only to find out we don't know the rules and regulations at the club just yet.

"I didn't think we'd get Joey if I'm being honest. I'm amazed one of the bigger clubs hasn't had a gamble on him. If he concentrates on his football, I don't think there is much better around in this country.

"At 1-0 today, you need somebody to grab people by the throat – in a nice way – and say, 'Let's get going.' "

The visitors twice hit the post via amazing pieces of skill from Adel Taarabt in the first half and struck woodwork a third time, through Bruno Perone's header, only to be undone by something of a collector's item – or two to be precise: goals from the Argentinian forward Di Santo.

"Sometimes I feel we have been a bit unfair to assess Franco," Wigan's manager Roberto Martinez said. "He came to Wigan at a very young age, he is still only 22 and has had a few experiences. The way he works, the way he understands the game, now he has the rewards he deserves.

"He has a long way to go to fulfil his potential but he has everything. This could be a springboard for him and everyone at the football club. To see him smiling and celebrating his goals was a well worthwhile feeling."

In the 40th minute, Di Santo exchanged passes with Hugo Rodallega before teeing up the ball to volley into the right-hand corner.

Then, midway through the second half, as Perone half-cleared Emmerson Boyce's cross directly to him on the edge of the area, Di Santo was again left unmarked and allowed to take his time before curling a perfect finish into the top corner of the Rangers goal via a deflection off Perone. A two-goal deficit was rough justice on Rangers who had twice seen Taarabt hit the post in the first half – the second of those efforts an astonishing 40-yard free-kick that was turned on to the woodwork by goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Even when 2-0 down, QPR showed their belief with the substitute Jay Bothroyd's header winning a corner, taken by Taarabt and planted on to the bar via the head of Perone.

Taarabt had one last opportunity to mount a fightback but saw yet another excellent long-range free-kick tipped over by Al Habsi in the 78th minute.

Wigan (4-1-2-2-1): Al Habsi; Boyce, Caldwell, Lopez, Figueroa; Watson; Diame, Gomez (Stam 85); Moses (McArthur, 68), Rodallega; Di Santo (Sammon, 68).

QPR (4-1-4-1): Kenny; Gabbidon, Hall (Harriman, 61), Perone, Connolly; Derry; Smith (Andrade, 80), Buzsaky (Bothroyd, 72), Faurlin, Taarabt; Agyemang.

Referee Michael Oliver.

Man of the match Di Santo.

Match rating 8/10.