Wigan Athletic became the first team to be relegated from England’s top flight in the same season as winning the FA Cup. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: Roberto Martinez was in a state of shock after Wigan Athletic became the first team to win the FA Cup yet be relegated from English football’s top-flight in the same season following a 4-1 Premier League loss away to Arsenal.
Just 72 hours after they stunningly defeated Manchester City 1-0 in one of the great FA Cup final shocks across London at Wembley, Wigan were well-beaten at the Emirates Stadium to join already relegated Reading and Queens Park Rangers in the second-tier Championship next season.
Arsenal’s victory meant their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League would be in their own hands when they face Newcastle on Sunday’s final day of the Premier League season.
Two goals from Lukas Podolski and strikes from Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey secured Arsenal’s victory.
But at half-time Wigan were still in the game at 1-1 following Shaun Maloney’s equaliser from a well-struck free-kick.
“I never expected this,” Wigan manager Martinez told Sky Sports. “I know we were in a difficult position, but the players are an incredible bunch and they don’t deserve this.
“It’s a tough day for the football club. We had an incredible eight years in the Premier League and we need to build for the future.”
Kidd shocked at Mancini sacking
Caretaker Manchester City manager Brian Kidd said Roberto Mancini’s sacking has rocked the club.
City overcame their FA Cup final defeat to Wigan Athletic by beating relegated Reading 2-0 at Madejski Stadium to guarantee they finished second in the Premier League.
Goals from Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko were enough for the hosts, who began life without Mancini with a win.
But Kidd, City’s assistant manager, said the Italian’s departure had been tough to take.
“I’ve got to be honest, if you were to ask me after what has gone in the last 48 hours, it has all come as a shock to the staff,” said Kidd. “I would have just taken the result tonight. If you had said before the game we would get three points to claim second place I would have accepted that the way the last 48 hours have gone.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2013.
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