2013 FA Cup final
The 2013 FA Cup Final was an association football match contested on 11 May 2013 at Wembley Stadium in London, England, between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic, the two remaining Premier League clubs in the competition.[1] Wigan Athletic emerged victorious with a 1–0 win, thanks to a 91st-minute header by substitute Ben Watson from a Shaun Maloney corner, securing the club's first major trophy in its 81-year history.[1][2] The match kicked off at 5:15 pm BST in front of a crowd of 86,254 spectators.[3] Managed by Roberto Mancini, Manchester City entered as favorites after winning the previous season's Premier League title.[1] Wigan, under Roberto Martinez, had a challenging route to the final.[1] The game was marked by Wigan's energetic play, highlighted by Callum McManaman's impressive performance on the wing, while City struggled to create chances despite dominating possession.[1] The outcome proved a significant upset, as Wigan finished the 2012–13 Premier League season in 18th place and were relegated the day after the final, while Manchester City's loss contributed to Mancini's departure as manager shortly thereafter.[1] Martinez, meanwhile, soon took up the managerial role at Everton.[1] The victory underscored the FA Cup's reputation for producing dramatic giant-killings, with Wigan's triumph celebrated as one of the competition's memorable underdog stories.[2]Background
Competition and Venue
The 2013 FA Cup final was the 132nd edition of the Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup), recognised as the world's oldest national football cup competition, having been established in the 1871–72 season by The Football Association.[4] Contested annually as a knockout tournament open to clubs from across the English football pyramid, it culminates in a showpiece match that has long symbolised the competition's tradition of pitting underdogs against established powers. The final featured Premier League sides Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.[5] The match was hosted at Wembley Stadium in London, England, the iconic venue that has served as the permanent home for the FA Cup final since the stadium's reconstruction and reopening in 2007.[6] With a seating capacity of 90,000, Wembley is the largest stadium in the United Kingdom and a fitting stage for the competition's prestige, having previously hosted finals at its original site from 1923 to 2000. The 2013 final drew an attendance of 86,254 spectators.[7][8] Scheduled for 11 May 2013, the game kicked off at 5:15 p.m. BST under partly cloudy conditions with a high temperature of about 14°C.[9][10] The prize money on offer underscored the final's financial significance, with £1.8 million allocated to the winners and £900,000 to the runners-up, in addition to earnings from earlier rounds.[11]Teams' Seasons and Form
Manchester City arrived at the 2013 FA Cup final as the holders of the Premier League title from the previous season, having secured their first English top-flight championship in 44 years with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign.[12] Under manager Roberto Mancini, who had guided the club to that triumph, City mounted a strong challenge in 2012-13 but ultimately finished second in the Premier League with 78 points, 11 behind winners Manchester United.[13] The squad featured pivotal figures such as goalkeeper Joe Hart, who earned a reputation for crucial saves, captain Vincent Kompany, the defensive leader and occasional goalscorer, and forward Sergio Agüero, whose pace and finishing were central to the team's attack. Wigan Athletic, in contrast, endured a turbulent 2012-13 Premier League season under manager Roberto Martínez, spending much of the campaign in the relegation zone and relying on late surges to stay competitive.[14] The team finished 18th with 36 points, confirming their drop to the Championship after eight years in the top flight, with relegation sealed by a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal just three days after the FA Cup final.[13] Martínez's side was known for its attacking flair but defensive vulnerabilities, highlighted by key contributors like midfielder Ben Watson, who provided tenacity in midfield; winger Callum McManaman, whose dribbling created chances; and striker Arouna Koné, the club's top scorer with 11 league goals.[15] The head-to-head record between the teams added intrigue to the final, as Wigan had inflicted City's first-ever Premier League home defeat to them with a 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on 15 September 2012, thanks to goals from Shaun Maloney and Franco Di Santo. City responded with wins in the return fixture (2-0 at Wigan on 28 November 2012) and a 1-0 home victory on 17 April 2013, but Wigan's earlier upset underscored their potential to frustrate the favorites. Leading into the final, City's form had faltered with an inconsistent run that cost them the league title, including dropped points in key matches during April.[16] Wigan, meanwhile, were locked in a desperate survival push, winning two of their last nine league games but unable to avoid the drop despite their cup progress.[17]Route to the Final
Manchester City
Manchester City, as a Premier League club, entered the 2012–13 FA Cup in the third round and progressed to the final without needing any replays.[18] In the third round on 5 January 2013, Manchester City hosted Watford at the City of Manchester Stadium and secured a 3–0 victory. Carlos Tevez opened the scoring with a 25-yard free-kick in the 24th minute, followed by Gareth Barry's header just before halftime in the 44th minute, and substitute Marcos Lopes added a third in the 90th minute to complete the comfortable win.[19][20] The fourth round saw City travel to Stoke City on 26 January 2013, where they edged a 1–0 win at the Britannia Stadium. The match remained goalless until the 84th minute, when Pablo Zabaleta volleyed home from a James Milner corner to send City through to the fifth round.[21][22] On 17 February 2013, in the fifth round, Manchester City hosted Leeds United and delivered a dominant 4–0 performance at home. Yaya Touré scored early in the 5th minute, Sergio Agüero converted a penalty in the 15th minute, Tevez added a third in the 52nd minute, and Agüero completed his brace in the 74th minute, ensuring advancement to the quarter-finals.[23][24] The quarter-final on 9 March 2013 pitted City against Barnsley at the City of Manchester Stadium, resulting in a resounding 5–0 triumph. Tevez netted a hat-trick with goals in the 11th, 31st, and 50th minutes, Aleksandar Kolarov struck in the 27th minute, and David Silva rounded off the scoring in the 65th minute, propelling City into the semi-finals.[25][26] In the semi-final on 14 April 2013 at Wembley Stadium, Manchester City faced holders Chelsea and prevailed 2–1. Samir Nasri gave City the lead in the 35th minute with a low shot, Agüero extended the advantage two minutes into the second half with a looping header in the 47th minute, and Demba Ba pulled one back for Chelsea in the 66th minute, but City held on to reach the final.[27][28]Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic entered the 2012–13 FA Cup in the third round, navigating a challenging path marked by resilient performances and notable upsets against lower-division sides, culminating in their first-ever appearance in the final. Amid a precarious Premier League campaign where they battled relegation, the Latics demonstrated cup pedigree by overcoming Championship and non-league opposition, as well as a shock victory over fellow top-flight team Everton.[29] Their run required just one replay and featured efficient finishing, with several players contributing multiple goals across the ties.[30] The third round brought a home draw against League One side Bournemouth on 5 January 2013, ending 1–1 after Jordi Gómez converted a second-attempt penalty to equalize Eunan O'Kane's earlier strike.[31] The replay at Dean Court on 15 January 2013 saw Wigan secure a narrow 1–0 victory, with Mauro Boselli scoring from 25 yards in the 52nd minute to advance them.[32] In the fourth round, Wigan traveled to Conference Premier outfit Macclesfield Town on 26 January 2013 and prevailed 1–0, thanks to another Jordi Gómez penalty in the seventh minute following a foul on Callum McManaman.[33] The fifth round pitted them against Championship hosts Huddersfield Town on 17 February 2013, where Wigan ran out convincing 4–1 winners; McManaman opened the scoring in the 31st minute, Arouna Koné added a brace (40th and 89th minutes), and James McArthur netted in the 56th, despite Lee Novak's reply for the Terriers.[34] The quarter-finals delivered one of the tournament's standout results, as Wigan stunned Premier League rivals Everton 3–0 away at Goodison Park on 9 March 2013. Maynor Figueroa headed in the opener from a Gómez corner in the 30th minute, followed by McManaman's low drive a minute later and Gómez's clinical finish two minutes after that, all within a frantic four-minute spell.[35] Wigan's momentum carried into the semi-final at Wembley Stadium on 13 April 2013 against Championship side Millwall, whom they defeated 2–0. Shaun Maloney volleyed home the first goal in the 25th minute from a Jean Beauséjour cross, and McManaman sealed progression with a composed finish in the 60th minute after a swift counter-attack.[29]| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Score | Key Goal Scorers (Wigan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third Round | 5 January 2013 | Bournemouth | DW Stadium (home) | 1–1 | Gómez (70' pen) |
| Third Round Replay | 15 January 2013 | Bournemouth | Dean Court (away) | 0–1 | Boselli (52') |
| Fourth Round | 26 January 2013 | Macclesfield Town | Moss Rose (away) | 0–1 | Gómez (7' pen) |
| Fifth Round | 17 February 2013 | Huddersfield Town | John Smith's Stadium (away) | 1–4 | McManaman (31'), Koné (40', 89'), McArthur (56') |
| Quarter-final | 9 March 2013 | Everton | Goodison Park (away) | 0–3 | Figueroa (30'), McManaman (31'), Gómez (33') |
| Semi-final | 13 April 2013 | Millwall | Wembley Stadium (neutral) | 0–2 | Maloney (25'), McManaman (60') |
Pre-Match
Officials and Broadcasting
The match officials for the 2013 FA Cup final were led by referee Andre Marriner from the Birmingham Football Association, who had previously officiated high-profile fixtures including the 2010 Community Shield.[36] His assistant referees were Stephen Child from the London Football Association and Simon Long from the Cornwall Football Association, with Anthony Taylor from the Cheshire Football Association serving as the fourth official and Gary Beswick from the Durham Football Association as the reserve assistant referee. These appointments were announced by the Football Association on April 17, 2013, ensuring a team experienced in Premier League matches to handle the occasion at Wembley Stadium. In the United Kingdom, the final was broadcast live on ITV and ESPN, with ITV's coverage commencing at 3:15 p.m. BST ahead of the 5:15 p.m. kick-off to allow for extensive pre-match build-up.[37] ITV's presentation was hosted by Adrian Chiles in the studio, featuring analysis from former players Roy Keane, Lee Dixon, and Gareth Southgate, while Clive Tyldesley provided commentary alongside co-commentator Jim Beglin; pitch-side reporting came from Matt Smith.[37] ESPN's UK coverage, also starting early in the afternoon, was anchored by Ray Stubbs and Rebecca Lowe from Wembley, with punditry from Kevin Keegan, John Barnes, Craig Burley, Paul Jewell, and Jason Roberts.[38] Internationally, the match was distributed via ESPN networks, reaching audiences in the United States and other regions, underscoring the FA Cup's global appeal despite domestic broadcasting rights being split between the two UK outlets.[39] Pre-kickoff arrangements followed longstanding FA Cup traditions, including the performance of the national anthem "God Save the Queen" by the choir Amore, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to honor the occasion and unite spectators.[40] The trophy presentation setup involved the historic FA Cup being displayed on a plinth near the royal box, with preparations for potential extra time and penalties in place, though no specific halftime entertainment beyond standard interval activities like player warm-ups was featured, aligning with the competition's focus on the football itself.[41] The decision to schedule the kick-off at 5:15 p.m. drew significant criticism from fans, particularly those traveling from northern England, who argued it complicated return journeys due to limited late train services and potential overtime extending play beyond 7:30 p.m.[9] Supporters of both Manchester City and Wigan Athletic voiced concerns over viewer fatigue following earlier Premier League matches that day, with some accusing the Football Association of prioritizing television ratings over supporter convenience.[42] FA chairman David Bernstein defended the timing, stating it aimed to maximize viewership by aligning with peak evening audiences rather than financial motives, though this did little to quell the backlash from fan groups.[43]Team Lineups and Predictions
Manchester City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the 2013 FA Cup final, with Joe Hart in goal behind a defensive line of Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasić, and Gaël Clichy. The midfield was anchored by Gareth Barry and Yaya Touré, supporting an attacking trio of David Silva, Samir Nasri, and Carlos Tevez behind lone striker Sergio Agüero. Substitutes included Costel Pantilimon (GK), Joleon Lescott, Aleksandar Kolarov, Javi García, Jack Rodwell, James Milner, and Edin Džeko. No major injuries affected City's squad, allowing manager Roberto Mancini to field a near full-strength team focused on defending their Premier League title.[40] Wigan Athletic adopted a 3-5-2 formation, featuring loanee goalkeeper Joel Robles protected by central defenders Emmerson Boyce, Paul Scharner, and Antolín Alcaraz. The wing-backs were Roger Espinoza and Callum McManaman, with James McCarthy, James McArthur, and Jordi Gómez in central midfield, and forwards Arouna Koné and Shaun Maloney up top. The bench consisted of Ali Al-Habsi (GK), Gary Caldwell, Ben Watson, Franco Di Santo, Ángelo Henríquez, Fraser Fyvie, and Roman Golobart. Wigan had no significant absences, though midfielder Ben Watson was returning from a long-term leg injury and started on the substitutes' bench.[40] Pre-match predictions heavily favored Manchester City as overwhelming favorites, with betting odds listing them at around 1/4 to win, reflecting their status as defending Premier League champions and squad depth. Wigan, battling relegation in the Premier League, were priced as 8/1 underdogs, but media coverage highlighted the potential morale boost a victory could provide for their survival campaign against City's title defense ambitions.[44][45]Match
First Half
The 2013 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic began with Wigan adopting an aggressive approach, pressing high and disrupting City's rhythm from the opening whistle.[40] Wigan's early dominance in possession allowed them to launch quick counters, with Arouna Koné playing a key role in transitioning play forward.[1] In the 9th minute, Koné threaded a precise pass to Callum McManaman on the right flank; McManaman cut inside Matija Nastasić but curled his left-footed effort wide of Joe Hart's near post, squandering Wigan's clearest opportunity of the opening exchanges.[40] Manchester City responded by asserting control, enjoying periods of sustained possession but struggling to penetrate Wigan's organized defense.[1] An early shot from Yaya Touré in the 4th minute was parried by Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles, who was deputizing for the injured Ali Al-Habsi.[40] City's best chance came in the 29th minute, as David Silva and Samir Nasri combined on the left before Silva's cutback found Carlos Tevez, whose low drive was tipped around the post by a diving Robles.[1] Wigan remained resilient on the break, nearly capitalizing again in the 34th minute when Roger Espinoza appealed for a penalty after tangling with Pablo Zabaleta in the box, but referee Andre Marriner waved play on.[40] Moments later, in the 36th minute, Antolín Alcaraz surged forward to set up McManaman, whose shot was blocked by a timely intervention from Zabaleta.[40] The half concluded without goals, leaving the score at 0-0, as Wigan's counter-attacking threat kept City at bay despite the latter's growing territorial advantage toward the interval.[1] Match reports noted City's slight edge in possession at around 55%, with six shots (three on target) compared to Wigan's five attempts (two on target), underscoring the underdogs' defensive solidity.[46]Second Half
The second half commenced with Manchester City ramping up the pressure, seeking to break the deadlock, but Wigan Athletic maintained their defensive resilience, absorbing attacks while launching counter-threats through Callum McManaman's dynamic runs on the right flank.[40] Early in the half, Carlos Tevez's cross was deflected wide for a corner by Emmerson Boyce, but City failed to capitalize from the set piece.[40] In the 55th minute, Roberto Mancini substituted James Milner for Samir Nasri to inject fresh energy into City's midfield.[47] Wigan's defense held firm, with James McCarthy firing wide shortly after the restart, but the Latics grew in confidence as McManaman repeatedly exploited Pablo Zabaleta, leading to the Manchester City defender's first yellow card in the 60th minute for a foul on the winger.[40][48] In the 69th minute, Mancini responded by bringing on Jack Rodwell for Tevez, aiming to bolster the attack, but Matija Nastasić was then booked in the 75th minute for fouling McManaman.[40] Moments later, Shaun Maloney's cross clipped the crossbar, heightening the tension as Wigan sensed an opportunity.[40] Wigan made their only change in the 81st minute, with Roberto Martinez introducing Ben Watson for Jordi Gómez to add height and energy late on.[49] The game's turning point came three minutes later in the 84th minute when Zabaleta received a second yellow card—his first red in a major final—for cynically fouling McManaman again, reducing City to ten men and becoming only the third player dismissed in an FA Cup final.[40][48] Gareth Barry picked up a yellow card in the 87th minute for fouling Maloney, as Wigan protected their lead while City pushed desperately forward.[40] In the first minute of stoppage time, Wigan earned a corner, and Maloney delivered an inswinging set piece that substitute Watson met with a precise near-post header past Joe Hart, securing a 1-0 lead.[49] Edin Džeko replaced Barry in the 90+3rd minute as Mancini threw everything forward, but Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles earned a booking for time-wasting amid City's frantic assaults.[40] The full-time whistle blew moments later, confirming Wigan's upset victory.[47]Match Details and Statistics
The 2013 FA Cup final concluded with Wigan Athletic securing a 1–0 victory over Manchester City, courtesy of Ben Watson's header in the 90+1st minute from a Shaun Maloney corner.[47] Callum McManaman of Wigan was named Man of the Match for his energetic and influential performance across the pitch.[8] Key match statistics highlighted Manchester City's dominance in several areas despite the defeat:| Statistic | Manchester City | Wigan Athletic |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 64% | 36% |
| Total shots | 23 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 7 | 3 |
| Corners | 12 | 3 |
| Fouls | 10 | 12 |