Wigan stun United and throw City lifeline
Reuters - Wednesday 11 April 2012, 22:17
When Sir Alex Ferguson says
Manchester United deserved to lose, his charges really have put
on a poor display but whether Wednesday's 1-0 loss at lowly
Wigan Athletic has really opened up the Premier League title
race remains to be seen.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini did not think so
despite his side cutting the gap at the top to five points with
a thumping 4-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Carlos Tevez scored on his first start for City since
September but with five matches remaining, including a meeting
between the top two on April 30, Mancini is either playing mind
games or is genuinely downbeat on his side's chances of glory.
"I don't believe it," Mancini told Sky when asked if the
title race had been reopened.
"Manchester United is a fantastic team, they have fantastic
spirit and I think they can win this title.
"It was about time [we shone]. For three or four games we
didn't play well," added the Italian, whose side lost at Arsenal
at the weekend to signal the premature dusting off of champagne
bottles in the red half of Manchester.
United looked like they believed their 20th title was all
wrapped up in a dreadful first-half display at Wigan and a
surprisingly calm Ferguson pulled no punches after Shaun
Maloney's strike had sent the hosts out of the drop zone.
"It was a disappointing night for us, we were really second
to every ball in the first half," Ferguson said.
"The first half we were completely dominated. Wigan were the
better team and deserved to win."
Wigan enjoyed a bright start and Ferguson looked worried,
berating Wayne Rooney from the touchline on one occasion as
United looked as lacklustre as they have all season.
Controversy struck when Victor Moses thought he had nodded
Wigan ahead only for a linesman to harshly rule that Gary
Caldwell had obstructed David de Gea.
Wigan were similarly stung by the officials at the weekend
when Chelsea won thanks to two offside goals.
However, the hosts were not left to rue a decision this time
after Maloney's superb curling effort early in the second half.
CLASSY CITY
An abject Rooney was substituted midway through the second
half and United started to improve but the closest they came was
a big shout for a penalty when Maynor Figueroa appeared to
handle the ball.
Wigan held out and climbed up to 17th in the table, one
place and two points above the drop zone, although fellow
relegation candidates Queens Park Rangers won 3-0 at home to
Swansea City to stop them reaching 16th.
City took an early lead through top scorer Sergio Aguero
with a low shot to the bottom corner of the net and he doubled
their tally after the break when he finished off Samir Nasri's
pass.
Fellow Argentine Tevez scored soon after with a streaky
effort.
Tevez had not begun a City match since refusing to warm up
as a substitute at a Champions League match in September. A long
stand-off and failed attempts to sell him ended in his apology
and reintegration into the squad.
David Silva, off the boil in recent weeks, rediscovered his
mojo to score a fourth as classy City celebrated news of United
losing.
Arsenal strengthened their hold on third spot and an
automatic Champions League berth with a 3-0 win at 10-man
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who prop up the table and look doomed
to relegation.
Arsene Wenger's men endured a difficult start to the season
but have really found their stride in recent weeks to outstrip North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and become favourites for
third.
They now have a five-point cushion over Spurs, who may have
to settle for fourth place and a Champions League play-off if
Newcastle United or Chelsea do not catch them.
An eighth-minute sending off for Wolves defender Sebastien
Bassong after a professional foul on Theo Walcott allowed
Premier League player of the year favourite Robin van Persie to
open the scoring with a dinked penalty.
Walcott struck himself soon after and Yossi Benayoun added
the third in the second half to leave Wolves nine points adrift
of safety at the bottom.