Leeds celebrate Patrick Bamford's opening goal in the win at Wigan
Patrick Bamford scored twice from close range to give Leeds victory in an ill-tempered affair at 10-man Wigan.
Bamford tapped in after Adam Forshaw's header came back off the post to put Leeds ahead in the first half and sealed the points by bundling home a second-half corner.
Wigan had been reduced to 10 men after just 20 minutes as Joe Williams was sent off for a second bookable offence on his home league debut following a clash with Bamford.
United had chances to win by more, but Forshaw dragged wide and Pablo Hernandez's free-kick was well saved by Wigan keeper David Marshall.
The early dismissal of Williams, who recklessly fouled Bamford shortly after being cautioned for a foul on Stuart Dallas, provided echoes of the most recent meeting between the sides in April.
On that occasion, Wigan came from behind to win 2-1 at Elland Road despite Cedric Kipre's early red card - a result which sparked a late-season slump that cost Leeds automatic promotion as they collected just one point from their final four games.
A repeat looked unlikely, though, as Leeds capitalised on their numerical advantage to ease to a comfortable win, inspired by Bamford who made it three goals in United's opening three Championship games.
Wigan's best chances came from long-range free-kicks from Lee Evans, who was twice denied by excellent fingertip saves from Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla.
The Latics, who have now slipped to three straight defeats in all competitions, had loud penalty shouts turned down after Liam Cooper's challenge on Kieffer Moore early in the second half and frustrated boss Paul Cook was booked late on.
Wigan boss Paul Cook told BBC Radio Manchester:
"It's always going to be a tough game when you play Leeds - they are such a strong team and they ask so many questions of you.
"Big decisions will always influence the game. With the sending-off, are we aggrieved? No. I do think it's a red card or a second yellow, without a doubt.
"But are we aggrieved with the decision just beforehand when (Kalvin) Phillips makes a very similar foul with no yellow? Yes. All we want as managers is consistency, that's all we're asking for."
Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds:
"It was a fair result, we could have scored more goals. Playing with one player more is an important advantage.
"It was a game full of free-kicks but today we played more calmly in defence than usual.
"The performance of the team is increasing day by day and game by game."
