On this day in 2013: Wigan celebrate FA Cup win with shock victory over Man City

Wigan caused one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history that day in 2013 when they beat Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley.

Ben Watson’s late header gave the Latics a fairytale victory, who lifted their first major trophy just 35 years after their appointment football league Association.

Roberto Mancini’s big-spending City, who won the FA Cup in 2011, were the overwhelming favorites after being crowned Premier League champions in 2012.

The Latics were in the bottom three of the Premier League and stood little chance after beating Bournemouth, Macclesfield, Huddersfield, Everton and Millwall to secure their shot at glory.

But managers Roberto Martinez said: “We all know Manchester City are the big favorites and rightly so. But there are many examples of great upheavals in the past. It can happen, but we have to be perfect.”

Ultimately, it was a perfect afternoon for Wigan’s loanee Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Joel Robles, who saved with his legs Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and most notably Carlos Tevez to keep Mancini’s all-stars at bay.

After weathering a storm, the underdogs were close when Shaun Maloney’s free-kick hit the bar and they regained momentum as City defenders with six minutes remaining Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The decisive moment came in the final minute of regular time when Watson found Maloney’s corner at the near post and headed over a helpless Joe Hart.

Wigan Chairman Dave Whelanwho broke his leg for Blackburn in the 1960 final later revealed that he had envisioned victory in a dream a few weeks earlier.

The then 76-year-old, who led the team out, said: “I predicted all of that and it was an amazing dream.

“It was a beautiful dream that night and it came true.”

Mancini was sacked by City two days later and replaced by Manuel Pellegrini on 14 June, nine days after Martinez left Wigan to replace Manchester United-joined David Moyes as Everton manager.