FA Cup final: Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic - Five talking points

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Emmerson Boyce of Wigan Athletic celebrates with team mates as he lifts the trophy after victory in the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium

I remember watching my first FA Cup final in 2009. It was the match where Chelsea defeated Everton 2-1. I remember the commentators continuously talking about the romance of the FA Cup, which is did not understand. I do now. A cup competition is the best way for financially weak teams to showcase themselves on a grand stage. And the FA Cup has always been the ultimate competition for the underdogs.

Last night, there was a certain poetry to the game. Wigan gave it their 100% right from the first whistle to the last. City, it seemed, had not turned up. Or as the pundits said, Wigan did not let them. Here are 5 talking points from the historic evening at Wembley:

1. Tactical battle

It made sense for Martinez to start with a 3-5-2 formation against one of the most attacking teams in the country. City, for all their attacking prowess, are a team that love to play through the center of the pitch. Unless Milner is a part of the team sheet, they never find enough width, and that was the case again last night. City floundered and panicked due to Wigan’s pressing, and at times, were made to look pedestrian due to the Wigan players’ skill on the ball. Mancini continued to defy logic when he pulled off Tevez and replaced him with Rodwell. Meanwhile, the other Roberto brought on Ben Watson, who scored the winner.

2. New kid on the block

The name Mcmanaman is a hallowed one in English football, and the new kid, Callum Mcmanaman, certainly seems to be doing justice to it. He was the best player on the pitch all evening. Every time he got the ball on his feet, it looked like he could do something of note. He got past Clichy every single time, and made space for Kone with his tireless off-the-ball runs. He induced Zabaleta into a senseless tackle, which got the Argentinian sent off. He truly is one of the hottest young talent in English football right now.

3. Great stories

Every trophy has a story behind it. This one has quite a few of them. Dave Whelan, the owner of Wigan Athletic, who broke his leg in 1960 final, won the trophy this time around. Ben Watson, the man who was expected to be out for rest of the season, recovered early. He was sent on and he scored the goal that won the Latics the game. He has, with a single header, secured his name in Wigan folklore forever.

4. Contrasts

One Roberto defeated the other. One Roberto is on the way up, the other on the way out. One led a $ 12 million team to success, the other could not lead $ 250 million to glory. Martinez’s squad is a team of misfits, unlikely to be playing together. Roger Espinoza, a discarded full back who arrived on a free transfer, tortured Pablo Zabaleta all night. Shaun Maloney has often been maligned for being dour. But in the rain, he was one of the coolest and most hard-working players on the field. Emmerson Boyce, the journeyman defender, captained the Latics to glory, while Wigan custodian Joel Robles kept his team in the game all through the first half.

5. Momentum

City’s season is over. Wigan’s is not. They have two games to go, and need to beat Arsenal, and then Aston Villa to stay up. Going to the Emirates is toughest task in the best of times, especially when the Gunners are battling for a top 4 finish. But as of now, Wigan have the unquantifiable quality of heart and momentum. I would back Martinez to make another great escape.