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Tuesday, 5 November, 2002, 21:53 GMT
Wigan stun Man City
Wigan striker Neil Roberts celebrates scoring
Roberts' goal proved enough for Wigan
Wigan 1-0 Man City

Second Division Wigan pulled off another sensational Worthington Cup shock after they beat Premiership side Manchester City.

Paul Jewell's men had already claimed the scalp of West Brom in the previous round.

And Neil Roberts' first-half strike proved the difference on this occasion as City were unable to break down a resolute Wigan defence.

Wigan goalkeeper John Filan produced two excellent saves in the closing stages to keep City at bay.

But the result was no less than Wigan deserved as they stretched their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions and booked themselves a place in the last 16.

  Key incidents
34 mins: Neil Roberts fires Wigan into the lead
46 mins: Marc-Vivien Foe is booked for a rash challenge on Jason Jarrett
80 mins: John Filan makes a superb save to divert Ali Bernabia's free-kick

City manager Kevin Keegan had emphasised the importance of a good cup run for the club prior to this Worthington Cup tie.

And he signalled his intent by fielding a strong side, including striker Nicolas Anelka.


I wish we had put the kids in now
Man City boss Kevin Keegan

Wigan matched their Premiership opponents in the opening period, but in truth it was a first half high on endeavour yet lacking any real quality.

One of the few highlights was provided by City defender Sun Jihai.

His jinking run left the Wigan defence flat-footed as he passed to Ali Bernabia, but City's midfield maestro could not supply the finish.

City were then forced into a double defensive substitution as Steve Howie and then Sylvain Distin limped off injured.


Kevin Keegan just said at the end I hope you go all way, but we want to go all the way in the league
Wigan boss Paul Jewell
The second change proved decisive.

Sun fouled Nathan Ellington on the edge of the area, allowing Keegan to bring on Kevin Horlock for Distin.

Andy Liddell whipped in a dangerous free-kick which the new-look City defence failed to clear and Roberts pounced from close range to give Wigan a deserved lead.

With City having already made two changes in the first half, Keegan introduced Darren Huckerby after the interval in an attempt to inject some urgency into his side.

But Huckerby's pace could not rectify City's abject passing or their general shortcomings.

Wigan striker Nathan Ellington fends off the attention of Manchester City defender Gerard Wiekens
Ellington proved a handful in the second half
Indeed, it was difficult at times to distinguish which team was in the top flight and which one was pushing for promotion to Division One.

Anelka probed and gave brief glimpses of his class, while Shaun Wright-Phillips was as busy as ever.

Yet it was Wigan who still looked the likelier to extend their advantage.

And they should have on 75 minutes, but Matt Jackson wasted a gilt-edged chance, blazing over from four yards out.

It was then left to Wigan goalkeeper Filan to produce the heroics, producing a breathtaking save to divert Bernabia's goalbound free-kick, followed by a block to deny Huckerby at the death.

City received another blow with the news that Marc-Vivian Foe's booking - his fifth of the season - means he is suspended for the Premiership match at Middlesbrough on 23 November.

Keegan will now need to lift his injury-hit side in time for the Manchester derby on Saturday, which on this evidence will not be an easy task.


Wigan: Filan, Eaden, Jackson, De Vos, McMillan, Liddell, Jarrett, Dinning, Kennedy, Roberts, Ellington. Subs: Beasant, Green, Flynn, Mitchell, Teale.

Man City: Nash, Jihai, Howey, Distin, Dunne, Wright-Phillips, Foe, Benarbia, Jensen, Anelka, Goater. Subs: Flowers, Wiekens, Huckerby, Horlock, Vuoso.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

 WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
BBC Five Live's Ian Brown
"Another Premiership notch on the Wigan belt"
Man City boss Kevin Keegan
"We weren't good enough on the night"
Wigan boss Paul Jewell
"It wasn't a pretty game"
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