Everton 0-3 Wigan: Latics stun lackluster Toffees to reach Wembley semifinal
Tim Howard's absence for Everton was on full display as a stunning four minute display from Wigan saw the Lactics score three goals to seal a 3-0 away victory at Goodison Park. Wigan booked its place in the semifinals of the FA Cup for the first time in its history.
Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez's four minute onslaught on goal left the hosts stunned heading into halftime. Everton was unable to orchestrate an unlikely comeback and Wigan's halftime lead proved enough to seal an excellent victory for Roberto Martinez's men and put them into the last four.
David Moyes decided not to risk goalkeeper Howard, who was struggling with a back injury, meaning Jan Mucha took his place in goal. Meanwhile John Heitinga deputized for Phil Jagielka, who is awaiting surgery on an ankle injury.
Wigan made four changes from last weekend’s defeat against Liverpool, as Martinez threw cup shot-stopper Joel Robles in goal, with Gomez and McManaman also gained a place in the XI alongside Antolin Alcaraz, who made his first start since August.
The Latics started brightly but it was the hosts who fashioned the first chance, after Sylvain Distin met Leighton Baines’ superb whipped cross and headed just wide of the post.
It was a tight opening few minutes, but when Shaun Maloney managed to find space on the left he was inches away from putting Wigan in front, as he cut inside and curled a beautiful 20-yard effort around Mucha which came back out off the post.
Goal-shy Nikica Jelavic then forced a fine save from Robles, as he let the ball roll across him and fired a low effort from the edge of the box, only to be denied by the Wigan goalkeeper.
After James McCarthy tested Mucha with a rasping 25-yard volley, the Latics took the lead from the resulting corner as Figueroa rose highest at the far post to nod the ball low into the net.
Seconds later the lead was doubled when McManaman latched on to Phil Neville’s wayward pass and broke free before slotting a superb finish past the onrushing Mucha.
The madness continued just moments later as Aruna Kone squared the ball to Gomez on the edge of the box, and the midfielder stroked a delightful finish into the corner with Mucha watching helplessly, leaving the hosts in utter disarray at the break.
Moyes threw on Victor Anichebe for the disappointing Neville in the second half as Everton tried to inspire a comeback, and Fellaini almost got the hosts back in it as he volleyed an effort wide from 20 yards out.
Everton started to enjoy a large majority of the possession, but Wigan was keeping the club at arm’s length, and the home players’ and fans’ frustration was growing with every minute that passed.
The Toffees seemed to run out of steam halfway through the second half, and Figueroa had a chance to double his tally for the afternoon when Fellaini gifted him the ball on the edge of the box, only to drill his effort straight at Mucha.
Even the ever-reliable Baines struggled in the second half, firing a low cross straight into the arms of Robles with several team-mates available in the box.
Mirallas had the ball in the net with just over 15 minutes remaining, slotting a cool finish past the goalkeeper before discovering he was flagged offside when he received Anichebe’s pass.
Substitute Ross Barkley fired a late effort just wide of the post and Osman was denied by Robles from close range before Seamus Coleman headed wide, but the Latics had done a good job of stifling Everton’s rhythm as in the end they cruised to a superb victory, with Moyes’ men marching off at the final whistle amid a chorus of boos from the disappointed home faithful.
Tim Howard's absence for Everton was on full display as a stunning four minute display from Wigan saw the Lactics score three goals to seal a 3-0 away victory at Goodison Park. Wigan booked its place in the semifinals of the FA Cup for the first time in its history.
Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez's four minute onslaught on goal left the hosts stunned heading into halftime. Everton was unable to orchestrate an unlikely comeback and Wigan's halftime lead proved enough to seal an excellent victory for Roberto Martinez's men and put them into the last four.
David Moyes decided not to risk goalkeeper Howard, who was struggling with a back injury, meaning Jan Mucha took his place in goal. Meanwhile John Heitinga deputized for Phil Jagielka, who is awaiting surgery on an ankle injury.
Wigan made four changes from last weekend’s defeat against Liverpool, as Martinez threw cup shot-stopper Joel Robles in goal, with Gomez and McManaman also gained a place in the XI alongside Antolin Alcaraz, who made his first start since August.
The Latics started brightly but it was the hosts who fashioned the first chance, after Sylvain Distin met Leighton Baines’ superb whipped cross and headed just wide of the post.
It was a tight opening few minutes, but when Shaun Maloney managed to find space on the left he was inches away from putting Wigan in front, as he cut inside and curled a beautiful 20-yard effort around Mucha which came back out off the post.
Goal-shy Nikica Jelavic then forced a fine save from Robles, as he let the ball roll across him and fired a low effort from the edge of the box, only to be denied by the Wigan goalkeeper.
After James McCarthy tested Mucha with a rasping 25-yard volley, the Latics took the lead from the resulting corner as Figueroa rose highest at the far post to nod the ball low into the net.
Seconds later the lead was doubled when McManaman latched on to Phil Neville’s wayward pass and broke free before slotting a superb finish past the onrushing Mucha.
The madness continued just moments later as Aruna Kone squared the ball to Gomez on the edge of the box, and the midfielder stroked a delightful finish into the corner with Mucha watching helplessly, leaving the hosts in utter disarray at the break.
Moyes threw on Victor Anichebe for the disappointing Neville in the second half as Everton tried to inspire a comeback, and Fellaini almost got the hosts back in it as he volleyed an effort wide from 20 yards out.
Everton started to enjoy a large majority of the possession, but Wigan was keeping the club at arm’s length, and the home players’ and fans’ frustration was growing with every minute that passed.
The Toffees seemed to run out of steam halfway through the second half, and Figueroa had a chance to double his tally for the afternoon when Fellaini gifted him the ball on the edge of the box, only to drill his effort straight at Mucha.
Even the ever-reliable Baines struggled in the second half, firing a low cross straight into the arms of Robles with several team-mates available in the box.
Mirallas had the ball in the net with just over 15 minutes remaining, slotting a cool finish past the goalkeeper before discovering he was flagged offside when he received Anichebe’s pass.
Substitute Ross Barkley fired a late effort just wide of the post and Osman was denied by Robles from close range before Seamus Coleman headed wide, but the Latics had done a good job of stifling Everton’s rhythm as in the end they cruised to a superb victory, with Moyes’ men marching off at the final whistle amid a chorus of boos from the disappointed home faithful.
Messi breaks world record with goal against Deportivo
