{"id":905,"date":"2018-02-20T10:02:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T10:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hitzmakers.com\/2018\/02\/20\/man-city-knocked-out-in-fa-cup-shock\/"},"modified":"2018-02-20T10:02:00","modified_gmt":"2018-02-20T10:02:00","slug":"man-city-knocked-out-in-fa-cup-shock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hitzmakers.com\/man-city-knocked-out-in-fa-cup-shock\/","title":{"rendered":"Man City knocked out in FA Cup shock"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Wigan Athletic ended Manchester City’s hopes of a clean sweep of trophies with a stunning upset in their FA Cup fifth-round tie.<\/span>

The League One side survived virtually constant pressure from the Premier League leaders, eventually capitalising on Fabian Delph’s controversial first-half red card when Will Grigg struck 11 minutes from time.<\/span>

The striker’s low finish capped a night of drama at the DW Stadium, with City’s Fernandinho wasting a fine chance shortly before Delph was dismissed for a heavy challenge on Max Power.<\/span>

The incident led to a heated argument between City boss Pep Guardiola and opposite number Paul Cook in the tunnel at half-time.<\/span>

And there were unedifying scenes at full-time, too, with City striker Sergio Aguero involved in an altercation with one of the many home fans who invaded the pitch.<\/span>

City threw everything at their hosts both before and after Grigg’s goal – a guided shot from 20 yards – and Danilo’s header was gratefully held by Christian Walton in the game’s final attack.<\/span>

Spirit of 2013 lives on<\/span>

The full-time whistle sparked scenes of celebration from the home fans. City supporters, in contrast, were visibly angered – and objects were thrown onto the pitch from the away end once the players had departed.<\/span>

That could not tarnish Wigan’s night, though, as they beat City in this competition for the third time in six seasons.<\/span>

The Latics may have been relegated twice since beating the Blues in the 2013 final at Wembley, but they remain something of a bogey side for them.<\/span>

City had 83% of possession and spent long spells in the Wigan half, with home right-back Nathan Byrne producing a standout performance as the visitors regularly raided down the left.<\/span>

Chey Dunkley made 13 clearances – more than the entire City team – while his fellow centre-back Dan Burn marshalled the defensive unit superbly.<\/span>

Grigg’s task as a lone striker appeared thankless as he touched the ball less than any player who completed 90 minutes.<\/span>

But one of those 19 touches will live long in the memory – his placed finished past Claudio Bravo.<\/span>

City’s defeat means three Premier League sides have been knocked out of this year’s FA Cup at the DW Stadium.<\/span>

Another – Southampton – visit in the next round next on the weekend of 17-18 March. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men will be fully aware the spirit which carried Wigan all the way to victory at Wembley five years ago lives on.<\/span>

Red confusion prompts half-time chaos<\/span>

Guardiola, who said his side “gave absolutely everything”, refused to comment in detail about the red card, and his subsequent clash with Cook.<\/span>

The dismissal did not change the flow of the game, as City dominated even with a numerical disadvantage, but the decision prompted a half-time reshuffle with Leroy Sane replaced by Kyle Walker.<\/span>

Delph seemed stunned to be shown the second red card of his career, after sliding in for a 50-50 ball. The challenge was robust but did not appear malicious and he will now miss Sunday’s League Cup final against Arsenal.<\/span>

Referee Anthony Taylor took his yellow card out and began writing on it, before pulling out the red card.<\/span>

Cook’s angry gesticulations after the tackle appeared to irritate Guardiola, and the pair continued a heated debate in the tunnel, with staff from both sides attempting to keep things under control.<\/span>

Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas said the decision was “strange”, adding: “I really don’t think the tackle was that strong. I feel he won enough of the ball, it wasn’t two-footed.”<\/span>

City may well feel aggrieved, but they found the target just five times from 27 attempts, as the finishing that has made them England’s highest-scoring team eluded them.<\/span>

Quadruple proves impossible<\/b>

It seemed unthinkable that a side boasting nine goals in their past two games – and a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League – would succumb to just a third defeat in 42 matches.<\/span>

And City’s defeat is perhaps all the more surprising as it arrives during Wigan’s worst run of form this season. Cook’s side came into the fixture having lost back-to-back league games for the first time in the campaign.<\/span>

But their spirit and commitment derailed a City side seen by some as the best of the Premier League era.<\/span>

Talk of an unprecedented Quadruple had intensified in recent weeks, though Guardiola always maintained such an achievement would be “impossible”. He was proved right in spectacular circumstances.<\/span>

This was no hard-fought exit at the hands of a European force, but a shock which will go down in FA Cup folklore.<\/span>

City must make do with chasing a Treble, starting with their Wembley final against the Gunners on Sunday.<\/span>

Man of the match – Will Grigg<\/b>

Grigg top of the FA Cup charts – key stats<\/span>

Grigg scored his seventh goal in this season’s FA Cup – more than any other player. His goal came from Wigan’s only shot in the second half.<\/span>

Guardiola’s side failed to score for only the third time this season, with Wolves in the EFL Cup and Crystal Palace in the Premier League also keeping them at bay.<\/span>

City have been knocked out of the FA Cup by a side from the third tier or lower for the first time since the third round in 2004-05 (1-0 v Oldham).<\/span>
Delph’s sending-off was the ninth in all competitions for City under Guardiola – only Watford (10) have had more among Premier League clubs in that time.<\/span>

Wigan overcome ‘severe test’ – manager reaction<\/span>

Wigan boss Paul Cook: “It feels great. It’s such a severe test. They’re such a strong side and move the ball so well. We had to ride our luck at times and the sending-off is always a big incident.<\/span>

“Our lads deserve credit for their work. Some of the blocks they made were outstanding and to beat Man City you have to do that.”<\/span>

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: “Congratulations for Wigan for the qualification. We did absolutely everything, we made a mistake and this kind of game is like a final. OK, we accept the defeat. Congratulations to the winner.”<\/span>

What next?<\/b>

Manchester City face Arsenal in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday (16:30 GMT). Wigan host League One’s bottom club Rochdale on Saturday (15:00).<\/span><\/p>\n\n