Man City exits Cup at hands of lowly Wigan
LONDON: Manchester City was sensationally knocked out of the FA Cup yesterday by thirdtier Wigan Athletic which beat the 10man English Premier League leader 10 in a stunning fifthround upset with a late goal by talisman Will Grigg.
On a magical night in the world’s oldest cup competition, Grigg secured one of the biggest shocks by slotting the ball home from the edge of the box in the 79th minute after a misjudgement by City substitute Kyle Walker.
Chants of ‘‘Will Grigg’s on Fire’’ echoed around the DW Stadium.
The visiting side had played the entire second half with 10 men after midfielder Fabian Delph was sent off in the 45th minute for a sliding challenge on Max Power.
The defeat was City’s third of the season, and ended its hopes of an unprecedented quadruple of trophies this campaign.
Manager Pep Guardiola said his expensivelyassembled side had done everything it could but paid the price for one mistake.
‘‘That kind of game is like a final and always the teams can punish you,’’ he told the BBC.
‘‘OK. So accept the defeat. Congratulations to Wigan,’’ the Spaniard, whose side enjoyed 82% of possession in the second half, said.
Wigan will host another Premier League team Southampton in next month’s quarterfinals having now beaten three topflight sides in its fairytale Cup run.
‘‘It feels great, doesn’t it,’’ Wigan manager Paul Cook said. ‘‘It’s such a severe test; they’re such a strong side . . . tonight we had to ride our luck at times.
‘‘But that’s what makes the FA Cup so special.’’
On a night of stirring memories for the home fans, whose unfancied side beat City in the 2013 FA Cup final and also in the quarterfinals a year later, there was always electricity and the hint of a shock in the air.
That only increased when referee Anthony Taylor, a yellow card already in his hand, reached for the red. Delph looked stunned, his angry teammates swarming around the official, while Guardiola seethed on the touchline.
The Spaniard, already frustrated by his side’s failure to break through the home team’s sturdy defence, had to be kept apart from Cook as they headed down the tunnel at the break.
There were also some ugly scenes after the final whistle, with missiles thrown and fans hurling advertising boards on to the pitch.
Media reports said City’s Argentine striker Sergio Aguero was also goaded by a Wigan fan and had to be escorted to safety.
‘‘There’s no problems,’’ Cook said of his halftime exchange with Guardiola. — Reuters