Wigan Athletic ended Manchester City’s hopes of a clean sweep of trophies with their stunning 1-0 victory over Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup fifth round.
The Latics – who are third in League One – dumped City out of the tournament on Monday night, a late Will Grigg strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.
The Englishman latched onto a loose ball following a mistake by City defender Kyle Walker, before slotting home cooly from the edge of the area to notch his seventh goal of the competition.
The games biggest talking point came in extra-time during the first-half, when Fabian Delph was shown a straight red card for a heavy challenge on Wigan’s Max Power.
Controversy ensued however after referee Anthony Taylor appeared to originally write Delph’s name on a yellow card, before appearing to change his mind and show the Englishman a red instead.
The decision led to a heated City boss Pep Guardiola and opposite number Paul Cook in the tunnel at half-time, with the Spaniard visibly agitated by Taylor’s decision, as well as the Cook’s gesticulations to the referee following the challenge.
Trouble also ensued at the full-time whistle, with a number of City players, including Sergio Aguero, involved in heated scuffle with Wigan players and staff.
Only a few weeks ago was Pep Guardiola calling for stronger punishments from referees after a number of strong challenge on his players – though the Spaniard was humble in defeat, saying: “Congratulations for Wigan for the qualification. We did absolutely everything, we made a mistake and this kind of game is like a final. OK, we accept the defeat. Congratulations to the winner.”
Anthony Taylor’s decision has caused uproar with the City fans however, who feel the veteran referee cost them a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals ….
Pep: Protect my players from bad tackles
*Delph Sent Off For Reckless Challenge*
Pep: pic.twitter.com/J0Npf1Flj0
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 19, 2018
Did Delph deserve a red? Probably.
But this didn’t even get a yellow, ball isn’t even in sight here. pic.twitter.com/88QQyUkBdF
— Ryan (@SergioNoHairo) February 19, 2018
Delph's challenge – a red card
All of these challenges – no red card pic.twitter.com/eo7sQEeQOO
— Adam (@AB_MCFC) February 19, 2018
Pep Guardiola to Fabian Delph in the dressing room after the gamepic.twitter.com/11wxR0MKaQ
— Troll Football Media (@Troll__Footbal) February 19, 2018
He was literally writing out Delph's name on the yellow. Bottled. pic.twitter.com/eEzNWYXajA
— Jordan Elgott (@JElgott) February 19, 2018
Anthony Taylor didn't even give a card to Byrne for this tackle, but then sent off Delph. Absolute joke. pic.twitter.com/z31H9DENKg
— Max Chesterton (@MaxChestertonJ) February 19, 2018
High foot on Aguero: nothing
(Reckless) yellow-worthy tackle by Delph: Yell.. um red.
Anthony Taylor ladies and gentleman pic.twitter.com/ZXBNk9BjDR
— Max (@Maksee_) February 19, 2018
Wigan should ask for a meeting with the FA after that Delph tackle.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) February 19, 2018
“I broke my leg in an FA Cup final.”
“That's nothing, I tripped over Fabian Delph and got him sent off."
— Alan Phoenix-Bates #RevokeArticle50 (@sp3ccylad) February 19, 2018