Man City defeat at Wigan descends into mayhem as Pep Guardiola rows with Paul Cook, fans rip up hoardings and Sergio Aguero clashes with pitch invader
MANCHESTER CITY'S shock FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Wigan descended into chaos that could even overshadow the Latics' triumph.
Fabian Delph's red card in first-half injury time led to City boss Pep Guardiola and Wigan gaffer Paul Cook clashing on the sidelines.
Guardiola could be seen laying his hands on his opposite number, with the row spilling over into the tunnel.
However, despite video evidence appearing to say otherwise, Guardiola insisted "nothing happened" when quizzed on the incident.
He explained: "There's no problems, from our point of view we're trying to get every edge and everything we can and from his point of view he wants the game played and he's a fantastic manager.
"It's a great night for Wigan."
The Spaniard was clearly incensed at the decision taken by referee Anthony Taylor to issue a red card, after he first had the yellow in his hands.
But after the final whistle went, ugly scenes played out on the pitch.
FA CUP CHAOS
CITY AG-RO Aguero clashes with pitch invader
REID IT & WEEP Former City boss separates warring managers
FAN MADNESS City supporters rip up the DW Stadium
TUNNEL SCRAP Guardiola clashes with Cook over red card
Aguero was then restrained as fans and players grabbed other supporters in angry clashes.
EX-PREM REF MARK HALSEY'S VIEW
FABIAN DELPH’S challenge on Max Power was reckless and a yellow card.
But I didn’t think it was a challenge that endangered a player’s safety with excessive force and brutality.
Obviously, referee Anthony Taylor initially felt the same way because he got the yellow card out straightaway.
TV pictures clearly showed Taylor was even writing the player’s number on his card.
The reaction of the Wigan players and management staff towards Taylor and fourth official Jeremy Simpson has influenced the decision-making.
Once Taylor has the yellow out — rightly or wrongly — he should have gone with his original call. It’s a basic error.
Taylor was not happy with the conduct of the Wigan staff and that’s why he spoke to manager Paul Cook.
There will be no FA action on that but the officials haven’t seen what followed between Cook and Pep Guardiola in the tunnel at half-time.
I expect the FA to ask both clubs for their observations and charges may follow.
The FA seem certain to investigate the incident.
And the Argentina superstar would surely be in serious trouble if football chiefs decide there is enough evidence to pursue a charge.
But Wigan chief Paul Cook was also keen to play it down, adding: “I haven’t seen these incidents so rather wouldn’t comment.
“But the conversation about the game shouldn’t be about that - it’s a great night for Wigan Athletic.”
Then Man City fans were seen ripping up advertising hoardings in footage both clubs, as well as the police, will no doubt be seeking copies of immediately.
Footage at the end of the game showed angry City fans launching advertising boards, seats and bottles at police as they were held in the away section at the DW Stadium.
Dozens surged to the front of the stands and taunted police, with incredible snaps showing advertising boards flying towards police.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, and once he had calmed down, Guardiola said: "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.
"It was like a final. They had one shot on target. I don't have regrets with the way we played, the performance, the heart.
"I judge my players on intentions and not results and the intentions were good.
"Wigan won, congratulations to them and now we rest to prepare for the League Cup final."
Grigg showed the football world he really was on fire as the Wigan star extinguished City's hopes of a Quadruple.
The Northern Ireland international pounced late on as the League One side shocked the Premier League leaders in a pulsating FA Cup tie.
The Latics are the scourge of City in this competition.
They surprised the whole planet when they defeated the big-spending Citizens to win the trophy at Wembley in 2013.
They repeated those heroics a year later when they dumped City out of the cup with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad in the quarter-finals.
And they proved to be their bogey side again as they did what the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Arsenal have been unable to do this season and beat them.