Wigan ran in eight tries as they brushed aside a feeble Harlequins side in the engage Super League.

The Londoners had already conceded early tries to Pat Richards, Mark Riddell and Karl Pryce when David Howell was sent off for a dangerous head-high tackle on Sam Tomkins.

Wigan made their numerical advantage count and ran out convincing winners at the JJB Stadium with further tries from George Carmont, Amos Roberts, Joel Tomkins and two from Thomas Leuluai.

It would have been even worse for Quins had goalkicker Richards not missed from four of his eight attempts.

It was Wigan's second successive win and the manner of the performance further underlined their play-off credentials and took attention away from their off-field problems.

Sam Tomkins, who signed a new long-term contract this week, ended the game ingloriously however as he was sin-binned for dissent.

The Warriors were soon into their stride and took less than two minutes to open the scoring as Carmont found Richards with a superb back flick after a break by Sean O'Loughlin.

The second try came moments later after the Harlequins defence was stretched again by Andy Coley.

Roberts then found Phil Bailey with a long pass and after Pryce went close out wide the ball came back inside for rising star Sam Tomkins to set up Riddell with a well-weighted kick.

Things then got worse for the Londoners as Riddell ripped a Leuluai kick from the grasp of Quins winger Will Sharp and Bailey sent Pryce over in the corner.

Quins finally enjoyed some respite and hit back through Matt Gafa after a high kick from former Wigan scrum-half Danny Orr.

Orr then converted from out wide but Howell's brainstorm immediately stopped the visitors in their tracks.

Referee Steve Ganson had already blown for an infringement when Howell knocked Tomkins over with what appeared an elbow to the head.

The centre paid the price as Ganson brandished a red card and Quins were punished further as O'Loughlin's bullet pass sent Carmont over.

Richards missed again but then made no mistake as Wigan claimed a fifth try to take a 24-6 lead into the break.

Quins failed to deal with a long kick downfield and Bailey's pass allowe Roberts to cut in and score.

Wigan applied more pressure from the start of the second half and scored again as Joel Tomkins brushed off three tackles to touch down on the right.

Harlequins almost pulled one back through Sharp but the winger was just ruled to have brushed the touchline by the video referee.

Wigan extended their advantage after Chris Melling knocked on in front of the posts and Leuluai burrowed over for the first of two tries in quick succession.

His second also came from close range as Wigan continued to test the weary Quins defence.

Jon Wells was denied a consolation by the video referee but Quins at least scored again through Luke Gale late on.