By Alan G
January 25 2006

Latics reached the League Cup final for the first time in their history with a magnificent performance against Arsenal last night as Jason Roberts last minute goal put them through. Mike Pollitt made a series of fine stops - including Jose Reyes' first-half penalty - before Thierry Henry headed home on 65 minutes.  

Robin van Persie's superb free-kick in the second period of extra-time looked to have put Arsenal through.

Robert's persistence - he missed numerous chances throughout the match - finally paid off when a punt upfield from Graham Kavanagh was toe-poked under Manuel Almunia's body after some confusion in the Arsenal defence.

Latics should have had three penalties when Roberts was first rugby tackled by Phillipe Senderos and then hauled unceremoniously to the floor by Sol Campbell. The third shout came when Pascal Chimbonda was upended in the box by Almunia. Referee Phil Dowd had kept his glasses in the car however and waved play-on each time.

He did however decide to award Arsenal a penalty after a Cross from Thierry Henry was handled by Stephane Henchoz. Pollit however, guessed the right way and palmed Jose Antonio Reyes spot kick around the post.

Roberts went close late on in the first half when he was through, while after the interval he gave Almunia a fright with a header.

In extra-time the Wigan striker had more chances, but he was first tackled by Campbell and was then unable to get a clean connection on the ball after a corner.

But Roberts had the last laugh as his pace and power embarrassed Campbell and Senderos when he latched on to Graham Kavanagh's pass before forcing the ball past Almunia.

Paul Jewell was thrilled with the result insisting Latics deserved to go through:

I'm so pleased for the players, the chairman and supporters.

"We had chances and apparently could have had a few penalties - but this is Arsenal and we are Wigan and we don't get them."

Jewell added: "It is difficult to put into words. Getting into the Premiership was the biggest thing but this is a wonderful bonus."

Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg playing for Blackburn in the 1960 FA Cup final, equated his club's achievement with playing in that Wembley final.

Whelan said: "Since I played at Wembley in a cup final, this is the best day.

"I thought they were two stone-cold penalties, however all through the game I thought we were as good as Arsenal.

"It's absolutely fantastic for Wigan, Paul, the staff and all the players. They deserve everything, they played so well."

Goalscorer Roberts also found it difficult to comprehend Wigan's achievement.

"It is an unbelievable feeling, the away goal taking us through, it is unbelievable.

"We kept battling and managed to nick a goal. I missed a few chances and thought I wasn't going to score but I kept trying."

 

---

Arsenal: Almunia, Gilbert, Senderos, Campbell, Lauren, Hleb (Pires 69), Silva, Diaby (Flamini 45), Reyes, Bergkamp, Henry (Van Persie 79).

Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou.

Booked: Reyes, Gilbert.

Goals: Henry 65, Van Persie 108.

Latics: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Scharner, Henchoz, Baines, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Mahon (Ziegler 63), Roberts, Mellor (Johansson 60).

Subs Not Used: Filan, Jackson, Francis.

Booked: Scharner, Kavanagh, Chimbonda.

Goals: Roberts 119.

Agg: (2-2) Latics win on away goals rule

Att: 34,692

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).