FA CUP WINNERS Wigan have been relegated from the Premier League after a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal tonight.
Roberto Martinez’s side were brought swiftly back down to earth by goals from Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey after the elation of beating Manchester City in Saturday’s Wembley showpiece.
The Lancashire club needed to get at least a point to give them the faintest chance of survival, but defeat leaves them four points adrift of 17th-placed Sunderland with just one game left in the Premier League season.
After winning the FA Cup, Wigan’s fixture list will be a packed one next season as they combine a 46-game Championship campaign with a run in the UEFA Europa League.
The disappointment is also likely to strengthen speculation surrounding Martinez, with the Spanish tactician reportedly being lined up to replace the Manchester United-bound David Moyes at Everton.
But moments before the half-time whistle, Shaun Maloney levelled it up after the Latics were controversially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Ireland striker James McCarthy had the ball in the Arsenal net was adjudged to have been offside before Theo Walcott bundled in a cross to put a nervy-looking home side ahead.
Wigan relegated from Premier League, Arsenal go fourth
Updated: 21.50
FA CUP WINNERS Wigan have been relegated from the Premier League after a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal tonight.
Roberto Martinez’s side were brought swiftly back down to earth by goals from Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey after the elation of beating Manchester City in Saturday’s Wembley showpiece.
The Lancashire club needed to get at least a point to give them the faintest chance of survival, but defeat leaves them four points adrift of 17th-placed Sunderland with just one game left in the Premier League season.
After winning the FA Cup, Wigan’s fixture list will be a packed one next season as they combine a 46-game Championship campaign with a run in the UEFA Europa League.
The disappointment is also likely to strengthen speculation surrounding Martinez, with the Spanish tactician reportedly being lined up to replace the Manchester United-bound David Moyes at Everton.
Here’s Podolski’s opener:
YouTube:LadsLifeTV
But moments before the half-time whistle, Shaun Maloney levelled it up after the Latics were controversially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.
YouTube: VideoFootballHD4
Ireland striker James McCarthy had the ball in the Arsenal net was adjudged to have been offside before Theo Walcott bundled in a cross to put a nervy-looking home side ahead.
YouTube: LadsLifeTV
Minutes later Podolski bagged his second before Aaron Ramsey made it 4-1 after 71 minutes.
YouTube: LadsLifeTV
YouTube: VideoFootballHD4
David Platt leaves Man City after Mancini sacking
The match programme for tonight’s Reading-Manchester City is a little out of date
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Barclays Premier League Going down? Gunners Lukas Podolski opener Arsenal Wigan Athletic