Roberto Martinez was left frustrated as a single Carlos Tevez goal sent relegation-battling Wigan Athletic home empty-handed despite a ‘magnificent’ performance.
The Argentinian struck on 83 minutes as he slipped past Paul Scharner and Jordi Gomez before firing into the top corner to leave the Latics in the Premier League drop zone.
They sit three points from safety with a game in-hand but Martinez felt his side were worthy of picking up crucial points after their battling performance at the Etihad Stadium.
“From a football – and tactical point of view – we were better in every department and deserved the points,” he told BBC Sport.
“It’s very hard to take. We were the better side and limited City to two shots on target and with the chances we had, it’s hard to explain how we didn’t get the points.”
Wigan had chances to snatch victory but Joe Hart denied Franco di Santo after his clever dart into the box, while Shaun Maloney’s effort was cleared off the line by Joleon Lescott.
And despite the loss, Martinez was encouraged by his side’s performance as they prepare for another clash against Roberto Mancini’s men in the FA Cup final on May 11.
“It’s a performance to be proud of and when you play against a team like Manchester City you have to accept a goal with that piece of magic,” he said.
“At another moment of the season I would be extremely happy. It was a magnificent performance.”
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
