Pep takes Wigan loss on chin
LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to blame his players after the runaway Premier league leaders, reduced to 10 men at half-time, were knocked out of the FA Cup by third tier Wigan Athletic.
Monday’s 1-0 fifth round defeat at the DW Stadium, a repeat of the 2012-13 final won by Wigan when the Latics were in the top tier, ended City’s hopes of an unprecedented league and cup quadruple this season.
“Congratulations for Wigan for the qualification,” Guardiola told BBC radio.
“We did absolutely everything, we made a mistake and this kind of game is like a final. OK, we accept the defeat. Wigan won, congratulations to them and now we rest to prepare for the League Cup final.”
City play Arsenal in the final of the Carabao Cup (League Cup) at Wembley on Sunday.
The overwhelming favourites against opponents fighting for promotion from League One, City were always wary of Wigan’s proud reputation as a ‘bogey team’ in the world’s oldest and most romantic domestic cup competition.
Apart from beating them the 2013 final, Wigan had also dumped them out at the quarter-final stage of the competition at the Etihad Stadium a season later just as City were heading for the league title under Manuel Pellegrini.
City started with their Argentine top scorer Sergio Aguero, and had Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne waiting on the bench but neither were able to make the most of their side’s dominant possession.
In the end, the match turned on the sending off of Fabian Delph on the stroke of half-time with the City midfielder shown a controversial red card for a sliding tackle as teammates crowded around the referee in protest.
Wigan’s prolific goalscorer Will Grigg then fired in a 79th minute winner.
Despite his obvious anger at the time, Guardiola steered clear of criticism of the official after the final whistle.
“Red card. It was the decision,” he said. “They had one shot on target, I don’t have regrets with the way we played, the performance, the heart,” continued the manager. I judge my players on intentions and not results and the intentions were good.”
Meanwhile, the Football Association is likely to launch an investigation into Wigan and Manchester City after City striker Aguero was forced to defend himself at the end of the fifth round FA Cup tie.
The ill-tempered game that boiled over on the final whistle.
Wigan supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate at the end of the tie and 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.
Aguero was forced to defend himself as the scene threatened to turn even more violent and City staff had to help shepherd him off the field and to the safety of the dressing room.
“It’s not right,” said Wigan manager Paul Cook. “I haven’t seen the incident so I can’t comment. But players’ safety has to be paramount for everyone.”
RESULT
Wigan 1 (Grigg 79) Man City 0
Quarter-final draw Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea City v Rochdale or Tottenham
Manchester United v Brighton
Leicester City v Chelsea
Wigan v Southampton
(Ties to be played March 16-19)