Wigan Athletic have reached a Wembley FA Cup Semi Final, after goals from Jordi Gomez and James Pearch saw the Latics beat the mega stars of Manchester City.
The Latics deserved to win the fixture at the Etihad Stadium in truth, after some superb defending in the final moments.
Ten months after their final win at Wembley last term, the Latics set up a semi-final tie with Arsenal, after a brilliant team performance.
Costal Pantilimon, Micah Richards, Javi Garcia and Sergio Aguero all started for the Citizens, however, the Championship side defended like Lions to reach Wembley yet again.
City, who looked overwhelming favourites to reach Wembley, started rather sluggish, with Sergio Aguero and co struggling to break the superb Wigan defence down.
The fixture was a repeat of last years final, which Wigan won 1-0 thanks to a Ben Watson header in injury time, and the Latics were taking the game to their Premier League opponants.
Marc Antione Fortune forced a decent save from Pantilimon early on, as maverick midfielder Jordi Gomez also went close after 10 minutes, however, he whistled his effort just past Pantilimon’s far post, as the Latics pressed, with free flowing football.
City, who won the League Cup last weekend, were once again, finding it hard to break down as Emmerson Boyce bossed the Wigan defence, as the Championship side kept Negrado and Aguero at bay.
Negrado then shot just wide of the post after 20 minutes, however, the Spaniard saw his shot just creap past Carson’s post.
Navas then cut inside past Ramis, and forced Carson into a decent save after 22 minutes of the game.
Wigan continued to press, and Demichelis was struggling to cope with McManaman and Fortune, on a sun kissed Manchester Evening.
And after 27 minutes, Wigan were awarded a penalty kick, could a possible shock be on ?
Fortune got the better of Demichelis before racing clear, however Fortune was then brought down by the defender.
Jordi Gomez then stepped up, and coolly converted his penalty past the opposite side Pantilimon to give Wigan a SHOCK 27th minute lead at the Etihad Stadium.
Following Wigan’s goal, Aguero wasted a chance, before Javi Garcia drove over the bar, as Wigan held out until half time.
For the footballing purist’s it was a dream, what fairytails are made of, surely, it could never happen again, just like last year ?.
Things got worse for City after 47 minutes, with the impressive McArthur skipped past Richards, before cutting inside and playing a ball into the area, James Pearch seized on a Clichy slip to bundle home a second for Wigan.
Silva, Edin Dzeko and James Milner all came on for the lacklustre Yaya Touré, Álvaro Negredo and Jesús Navas after 53 minutes.
Wigan started to tire as City pilled on the pressure, Edin Dzeko then headed against the post, whilst Carson kept out Aguero superbly after 65 minutes.
Soon enough, City found the goal they had craved, as Emmerson Boyce failed to fully clear the ball, which allowed the in-form Samir Nasri, who took the ball down, and hit a rasping drive through a body of players, which decieved Carson, and went into the bottom corner, after 68 minutes.
City then pilled on even more heavy pressure, Richards flashed a shot wide and Dzeko saw another header drift agonisingly wide of Carson’s charmed post.
Wigan could have found a third on the counter attack, as Fortune went for glory, instead of playing through McClean, after 77 minutes.
Emmerson Boyce then made a vital interception to deny Dzeko a certain goal, with the goal gaping, Boyce got back and flicked Dzeko’s goal bound tap in over the bar.
Five minutes of added time gave City more hope, as balls were being pumped into the box left, right and centre, but it was Wigan who came closest to another goal, as Pantilimon had to keep out Fortune’s effort, however, Wigan held on, and make another trip to Wembley.
Maunel Pellegrini… Speaking to BT Sport.
“It’s disappointing because we cannot be eliminated from the FA Cup at home by Wigan. We had three or four chances to get a draw.
“I don’t like to divide the defence and attack. We could have done more with the two Wigan goals, but we didn’t do enough in attack until they were 2-0 up.
“We are in the last part of the season, but it’s very important to react. We must go to Barcelona and try to continue in the Champions League, although it will be difficult.
“We are going to try to win every match we play and we will see who scores more points in the Premier League.
“It’s important for a big team, when you have a setback, you have to react quickly.”
Uwe Rosler to BT Sport.
“Is this my greatest day in management? Probably. This was my chance to partially replicate what Roberto Martinez did last season.
“When you play Man City you have to keep your discipline because they see so much of the ball, but we put pressure on them. At the end City had nothing more to lose and they pushed everything at us.
“I felt City’s goal was offside, Joleon Lescott was interfering with our goalkeeper. It should have been offside. But I spoke a lot about bravery, and we also had lady luck on our side. Overall I am so delighted. I am so happy for the chairman and the players. And what a block from Emmerson Boyce!
“We have more games coming up now and our main focus is getting to the play-offs. Everyone knows my tie to Man City, but I’m happy to be manager of Wigan Athletic. ”
Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan to BT Sport…
“Nothing can compare with actually winning the FA Cup, but it’s a dream to win at this stadium. The last five minutes felt more like 50 minutes!
“Uwe (Rosler) makes the players work, he makes them graft. Since he came in he has got these lads believing. When you believe, things seems a lot easier. There was a feeling that we were going to win.
“One thing we didn’t want was a draw. We’ve already played over 40 games this season! But you can’t get enough of going to Wembley – whenever you step on the pitch it’s very special.”
Well done to Wigan Athletic, from all of us at sillyseason.com
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
