Liddell was in superb form

Andy Liddell broke Wigan's all-time goalscoring record as Wigan thrashed Crystal Palace at the JJB Stadium.

Liddell and Nathan Ellington both scored twice, while Geoff Horsfield also got on the scoresheet for the rampant Latics as the home team regained top spot in Division One.

Liddell's 67th club goal for Wigan came after just 10 minutes and saw him overtake David Lowe's mark for the Lancashire side.

The 30-year-old Scot slipped the ball past Palace's on-loan goalkeeper Thomas Myhre from the edge of the area after neat approach play from Jimmy Bullard, Ellington and Lee McCulloch.

With Palace creaking at the back, Wigan poured forward and Horsfield forced a fine save from Myhre after latching on to Nicky Eaden's cross.

A neat flick from Ellington then put Horsfield clean through, but again Myhre was alert to the danger and saved before another Eaden cross saw the former Fulham and Birmingham striker head wide.

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But Horsfield was not to be denied a celebration of his own, and marked his 30th birthday with a goal after 31 minutes.

The powerful striker held off Tony Popovic and Shaun Derry before lifting the ball over Myhre.

Wigan added to their total after Neil Shipperley was adjudged to have handled in his own area, Liddell converting from the penalty spot.

Palace's defensive ineptitude was ruthlessly exposed again by Ellington.

Derry and Popovic allowed Ian Breckin's punt up-field to bounce and Ellington reacted quickest to expertly curl his fifth goal of the season past the helpless Myhre.

Liddell then turned provider on 69 minutes, capping another flowing Wigan move with a superb right-wing cross which the unmarked Ellington gleefully nodded home.

The hosts could have added to their tally - but Horsfield fed Bullard when a shot would have been the better option from, while Ellington shot straight at Myhre.

Wigan: Filan, Eaden, Jackson, Breckin, McMillan, Liddell, Bullard, Jarrett, McCulloch, Ellington, Horsfield.
Subs: Walsh, Teale, Dinning, Roberts, Baines.

Crystal Palace: Myhre, Granville, Popovic, Fleming, Smith, Riihilahti, Butterfield, Derry, Johnson, Freedman, Shipperley.
Subs: Cronin, Symons, Watson, Borrowdale, Routledge.

Referee: G Laws (Tyne & Wear)