adminWigan, facing another English Premier League relegation battle, were clear underdogs at Everton but effectively decided the Goodison Park contest with three goals in four amazing minutes from Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez.
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s Argentina striker Carlos Tevez hit a hat-trick for the rampant home side two days after he was arrested for allegedly driving while disqualified.
Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva completed the scoring for the Premier League champions against their outclassed Championship (second division) opponents Barnsley.
Everton, five-times winners of England’s premier cup competition and runners-up in 2009, were booed off at half-time by their disbelieving fans.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said: “I thought the performance was outstanding, from the keeper all the way through; to come to Goodison Park, to be able to score three goals and keep a clean sheet speaks volumes.
“I think we deserve a little bit of credit, we stopped them from being dangerous,” he told ITV Sport. “We knew when to keep the ball, when to go forward, and we looked a real threat every time we got into the final third.”
Wigan’s appearance in the semi-final at Wembley will be poignant for their chairman, Dave Whelan.
Whelan was 23 when he broke his leg at the famous stadium while playing for Blackburn in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves won 3-0 and the injury ended Whelan’s top-flight playing career.
Now 76, Whelan was on his feet in celebration at Goodison Park as his team skipped past Everton to win their first Cup quarterfinal since 1987.
The hosts were so poor in the first half it was hard to believe they stand sixth in the Premier League table.
David Moyes was hoping to mark nearly 11 years in charge at Everton with a third FA Cup semifinal in five seasons, but his side produced their worst performance this term. — AFP.
Online Reporter