Under-fire Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admitted FA Cup final defeat to Wigan marked the end of a disappointing season for the Blues.
Ben Watson scored a stoppage time winner for the Latics while Pablo Zabaleta was red-carded for a second bookable offence at Wembley.
And Mancini – who refused to answer questions on his future – believed his team only had themselves to blame after a below-par display.
“It was a difficult season because our target was to win the Premier League but we didn’t win,” he told ESPN.
“This can happen, but afterwards we have had a chance to win another cup and we didn’t win. It’s difficult. This moment is difficult.
“We are disappointed with this defeat and we’re disappointed for our supporters – there were 40,000 people here and we are very disappointed for them.
“We didn’t play very well. We didn’t play our football. And after we conceded a goal in the last minute that made it difficult to score.”
Unusually City saw less of the ball than their opponents, who pressed high up the pitch, and the Blues allowed them a lot more time on the ball.
Indeed it was a misplaced pass by Gareth Barry which led to Zabaleta’s sending-off for bringing down the impressive Callum McManaman.
And in the 91st-minute substitute Watson rose highest at the near post to head Wigan to their first major domestic trophy.
Mancini claimed he knew Wigan would be difficult opponents beforehand however, saying: “Every time we have played against Wigan they have created lots of problems.
“I said before the game it is always difficult against Wigan because they play football. They’re not a team to play too deep and play the long ball.”
Image courtesy of ITV Sport, via YouTube, with thanks
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