Wigan's FA Cup victory means a final City scalp for Ferguson

Ben Watson, Roberto Martinez, Wigan FA Cup

published 13 May 2013

IT was a weekend of high emotions in the northwest, as Wigan won the FA Cup to leave Manchester City distraught, and probably managerless, while Alex Ferguson said farewell to Old Trafford on Sunday, and his replacement David Moyes waved goodbye to Goodison Park. On the pitch it was business as usual for the Champions League contenders, while at the bottom of the table several clubs extricated themselves from relegation battle, and it will be all eyes on the Emirates on Tuesday to see if Arsenal can send the FA Cup winners out of the division. Wigan's win is a breath of fresh air: Wigan stunned Manchester City to win the FA Cup on Saturday and maybe breathe new life into a competition that has looked somewhat jaded this season. The upset at least got people talking about the final, which had been overshadowed by events elsewhere in the Premier League. The triumph came courtesy of a 90th minute header from Ben Watson and could spell the end for Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, who is expected to be sacked this week. If so he would become the 14th and final City boss to lose his job during Alex Ferguson's reign at Man United. Is Martinez set to quit? Wigan may be celebrating the first major trophy of their 81-year history, but things could be about to go badly wrong for the Latics. Their match against Arsenal on Tuesday is as big as any cup final, because if they do not win it they will be relegated from the Premier League. To make matters worse, the FA Cup win has elevated the reputation of manager Roberto Martinez, who is now being linked to the vacant job at Everton, although Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is adamant that the Spaniard will stay. Moyes gets a fine send-off: Alex Ferguson's emotional farewell to Manchester United on Sunday may have grabbed the headlines, but his successor at Old Trafford, David Moyes, was given an equally generous send-off by his current employers, Everton. Moyes, who has been in charge at Goodison park for 11 years, was, like Ferguson, given a guard of honour and stepped onto the pitch at the end of the game to lap up the applause. Everton's 2-0 win over West Ham secured them sixth place in the league and Merseyside bragging rights as they will end the season above Liverpool.

Chelsea hero Lampard sets record: Frank Lampard struck twice to become Chelsea's all-time leading goal-scorer as the Blues secured a place in the top four (barring a miracle result on the final weekend). It was a performance that summed up Chelsea's season, as the London club appeared to be heading for disaster after going a goal down and having Ramires sent off before half-time. But Lampard helped turn the game around, scoring an equaliser two minutes after Villa had goal-scorer Christian Benteke sent off on the hour mark. That goal took him level with Bobby Tamblin, and Lampard wrote his name into history with a winner after 88 minutes. Spurs leapfrog Arsenal: Spurs took a leaf out of Chelsea's book and increased the pressure on Arsenal in the race for a Champions League spot as they too came from a goal down to win away from home this weekend. Stoke took the lead when Steven Nzonzi headed in Charlie Adam's free kick after just three minutes. Clint Dempsey equalised in the first half, but it was not until the 83rd minute that Spurs took the lead through Emmanuel Adebayor. The result puts Spurs in fourth place and means Arsenal, a game behind, have to beat Wigan on Tuesday to regain their Champions League place. Canaries and Magpies flying high: Norwich and Newcastle both secured their places in the top flight next season thanks to wins on Sunday. The Mapgies came from behind to beat relegated QPR 2-1, despite having goalkeeper Rob Elliot sent off. And in Norwich the Canaries took advantage of West Brom's worst performance of the season to register a much-needed 4-0 win, only their second since February. Both teams now have 41 points and cannot be relegated because even though Wigan can catch them, the Latics play Aston Villa, who have 40 points, on the final day.

Liverpool signal their intent: Daniel Sturridge scored the first hat-trick of his senior career as Liverpool came from behind against Fulham and extended their unbeaten run to seven games. Although the Reds will finish the season down in seventh place their impressive recent run suggests that they could be a force to be reckoned with next term. The BBC even suggests that they could be contenders for a Champions League spot.