Wigan Warriors 26 Hull FC 12: Five things we learned

1. Dom Manfredi received the loudest cheer of the afternoon when he crossed for a second-half try and it's easy to see why.

Since suffering his first serious knee injury in August 2016, the winger had played just 10 matches until yesterday.

His 2017 was wiped out, he played six matches the following year - including a two-try show in the Grand Final - and then four games last season before suffering a third serious knee injury.

"Dom's respected highly by his peers, they love him," said Adrian Lam. "His carries are some of the strongest not just in Super League but in the world."

2. To the match itself and those who prioritised a good performance ahead of a victory should have been happy.

Wigan didn't hit top gear - to be expected at this stage - but they looked composed, energetic and in-sync. Jackson Hastings is settling well and Sam Powell's return added some balance and direction to the side.

For a fourth successive week, they limited their opponents to two tries.

3. The return of Manfredi was the major positive but he wasn't Wigan's best player.

Both wingers did well - Liam Marshall justified his selection ahead of Joe Burgess on the left - and Ollie Partington was the official man of the match. In a strong team effort, Bevan French frequently sparkled with his blistering pace and freakish evasiveness, while Liam Farrell produced the type of performance which made you wonder how on earth he has not been in the national side for the last three years.

New England coach Shaun Wane was watching from the directors' box.

4. Hull FC were solid enough but they posed little threat.

They were handed their first try by French and Zak Hardaker should have done better to stop Josh Griffin, FC's best player. They have absentees but their first-choice spine was accounted for and coach Lee Radford - candid as ever afterwards - may consider squeezing Albert Kelly into his side.

Asked about the importance of winning next week after successive losses, Radford sarcastically replied: "It's panic stations round our end, the wheels have fallen off!"

5. Today is February 24. Last year, Wigan didn't have any points on the ladder until March 24!

And their third win from four matches has put them level with leaders Huddersfield, who have 40 points in the points difference column (Wigan have 38).

Castleford, in third, also have six points on the board. These are early days, of course - last year, the Warriors still managed to finish second - but it still puts a sharper focus on next Sunday's trip to face the Giants in a top of the table clash.