London: Carlos Tevez puts Manchester City on the road to Wembley with an FA Cup hat-trick on Saturday, two days after being arrested for a driving offense.
The Argentina striker also played a part in goals by Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva as City crushed Barnsley 5-0 to reach the semi-finals. Tevez's goals came while on bail after being arrested of driving with a suspended license.
"We know what he can do and he has shown what a great player (he is)," City defender Kolo Toure said. Wigan will also be playing at Wembley next month after reaching the semi-finals for the first time in its 81-year history by beating Everton 3-0. But it was a bittersweet day for Wigan as the team was sucked back into the Premier League relegation zone after Aston Villa won 2-1 at Reading.
With a game in hand, Wigan are three points behind Villa, but a point above both Reading and bottom-place Queens Park Rangers, which beat Sunderland 3-1. While topflight survival is the priority for owner Dave Whelan, a trip to Wembley could give him happier memories of the national stadium. Whelan's own career ended when he broke his leg playing for Blackburn in the 1960 FA Cup final.
"It has been an absolutely wonderful day. In the first half we skinned Everton alive," Whelan said. "I had a dream in the week we came to Everton and beat them and then got Blackburn, who beat Millwall (on Sunday), in the semi-final.
"We're halfway there. I hope it comes true and I'd love to go to Wembley and play Blackburn."
Wigan's goals came inside a four-minute span in the first half. Maynor Figueroa headed in the opener at Goodison Park in the 31st minute from Jordi Gomez's corner. Callum McManaman was on target a minute later after outsprinting Sylvain Distin before striking past goalkeeper Jan Mucha, who was filling in for the injured Tim Howard.
Gomez completed the scoring from outside the penalty area after latching onto Arouna Kone's pass. "For us as a football club to go to Wembley is a unique moment - an historic moment," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. "We want cup success, but not at the expense of the league form."
Six of the bottom eight played on Saturday. QPR now has back-to-back wins for the first time this season, rising just four points from safety by beating Sunderland.
After Steven Fletcher put Sunderland in front at Loftus Road, Loic Remy leveled before half time and Andros Townsend and Jermaine scored with exquisite half-volleys for the hosts.
QPR are level on points with Reading but remain bottom because of fewer goals scored. Reading had gone ahead against Villa after Nathan Baker's 32nd-minute own goal but Christian Benteke equalized inside two minutes.
And Gabriel Agbonlahor clinched the win for Villa, who are just above the relegation zone, three points ahead of Wigan, who have a game in hand. Southampton are a point ahead of Villa after drawing 0-0 at Norwich, whose striker Grant Holt had a stoppage time penalty saved by Artur Boruc.
West Bromwich Albion rose to seventh by fighting back to beat Swansea 2-1. Lukaku cancelled out Luke Moore's opener before half-time and Swansea midfielder Jonathan de Guzman inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 61st at the Hawthorns.
Comments
0 comment