BEN WATSON’S late header stunned 10-man Manchester City as Wigan took their first ever FA Cup victory.
The midfielder came off the bench in the second half to score a superb last-minute header to make a mockery of the Premier League table.In an evenly-matched contest Pablo Zabaleta’s second-half red card may have been the decisive moment as the Latics made full use of their one-man advantage.
Wigan’s shock win will see Roberto Martinez go down in the club’s history.
But his namesake Mancini may now be leaving the Eithad, with Manuel Pellegrini tipped to replace him next season.
City had an early chance as Carlos Tevez’s free-kick hit the wall and rebounded to Yaya Toure, but his volley was saved by Joel.
Arouna Kone released Callum McManaman to the right of the area and he cut inside menacingly only to shoot wide trying to shape the ball inside the post.
Shaun Maloney’s acrobatic volley was blocked by Matija Nastasic as Wigan began to take control of the game.
But City hit back and Joel produced an outstanding save to divert Tevez’s goalbound effort wide with his toe.
The Argentinian striker had another chance minutes later but he blasted well over.
Referee Andre Marriner ignored Wigan’s appeals for a penalty after Roger Espinoza tumbled over Zabaleta’s challenge.
And replays ruled in his favour as the Honduran went to ground without any contact being made.
McManaman had another great chance 10 minutes before the break as he beat the City defence and Joe Hart.
But he took too long over his shot and allowed Zabaleta to get back.
Gareth Barry and Samir Nasri both had efforts saved by Joel before the break as both teams looked to play open, attacking football.
City started quickly after the restart and almost punished Kone for losing the ball in his own half.
But Emmerson Boyce got across well to block before Aguero could tap Tevez’s cross home.
The game slowed for a period before coming to life again around the hour mark as Zabaleta’s shot was almost poked home by David Silva.
Jordi Gomez sent a long-distance effort flying over the bar and McManaman’s shot was blocked by Vincent Kompany as Wigan continued to threaten.
Maloney hit the crossbar with a whipped free-kick from out wide before Zabaleta saw red.
The defender slid in late on McManaman to pick up a deserved second yellow and give the Latics a superb opportunity to win their first FA Cup.
McManaman surged into the box soon later and his side had another penalty shout as he went down under Gael Clichy’s poor challenge.
But this time Marriner got it wrong and signalled for a corner.
Maloney stepped up to take it and found the head of Watson to seal a shock victory for the relegation-threatened side.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Silva,Toure, Barry (Dzeko 90), Nasri (Milner 54), Aguero, Tevez (Rodwell 69). Subs Not Used: Pantilimon, Javi Garcia, Kolarov, Lescott. Sent Off: Zabaleta (84).
Booked: Zabaleta,Nastasic,Barry.
Wigan: Robles, Boyce, Scharner, Alcaraz, Espinoza, McCarthy, McArthur, Gomez (Watson 81), McManaman, Kone, Maloney. Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Caldwell, Di Santo, Henriquez, Fyvie, Golobart. Booked: Robles.
Goals: Watson 90.
Att: 86,254
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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