VIOLENCE TAINTS WIGAN'S MAGIC NIGHT

Tempers flare as City star Aguero clashes with fans, Guardiola and Cook in furious tunnel bust-up

WIGAN face an FA inquiry after their supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate at the end of a turbulent fifth round FA Cup tie at the DW Stadium and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who was shaking the hand of opposing defender Chey Dunkley at the time, became embroiled in an ugly altercation with a number of fans.

Will Grigg’s late winning goal saw League One Wigan defeat Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders in an ill-tempered game that boiled over on the final whistle.

One fan attempted to punch Aguero at full-time and the striker brushed him away before Dunkley, City coach Mikel Arteta and physiotherapist Steven Lilley rushed to the Argentine’s aid. Aguero followed the fan and Lilley pulled Aguero away before he could retaliate.

The trouble was not over there as a number of home fans taunted the City support and, in response, the visitors began to tear at advertising hoardings in front of them.

Police became involved in scuffles with City supporters that continued for several minutes and the FA are certain to review footage, and read referee Anthony Taylor’s report, before contacting the two clubs and deciding whether to issue charges.

City are expected to contact Wigan themselves to demand answers about the lack of protection offered their players at the end, although the FA action may well take that out of their hands.

Wigan chairman David Sharpe denounced the actions of the supporters.

“It’s not nice to see,” he said. “Football is emotional, it’s what it does to fans. But I don’t like to see this at the end of the game. It is a massive result, but we have to stay classy in football. I don’t like what I am seeing here.”

Wigan manager Paul Cook added: “It’s not right, it’s not correct, player safety is paramount.”

The ugly scenes were reminiscent of those at Ashton Gate when Bristol City beat Manchester United in the League Cup in December.

The fifth-round tie had sparked into life when City’s Fabian Delph was sent off for a reckless lunge at Max Power just before half-time.

Guardiola had to be pulled away from Cook when the pair engaged in a heated row as they headed down the tunnel at halftime.

The managers had originally squared up to each other on the touchline.

Cook appeared to pursue the Spaniard into the tunnel and a camera installed by the BBC captured the moment Peter Reid — currently working as managerial consultant at Wigan — had to step in and pull the Latics boss back to the home dressing room.

Guardiola admitted Delph’s red card was the correct decision after the left back had gone through Power.

And both managers tried to play down the flare-up on the touchline — even though Guardiola appeared incensed at the time by the behaviour of the Wigan staff.

“You want to ask me about football, ask me,” Guardiola said. “Nothing happened in the tunnel. He (Cook) should stay in his position, that’s all. They were a really aggressive opponent.”

Cook added: “We should just speak about the game. A lot is made of tackles. I thought straight red, Pep and his bench didn’t.

“I stand by what I think and it was a massive factor in the game. The referee deemed it a red and that’s what it is.

“I wasn’t refereeing the game, I can assure you. Other people in the crowd deemed it a red card. The talk shouldn’t be about stuff like that.”