Wigan Athletic reach their first major cup final.
Jason Roberts’ last minute goal at Arsenal takes the Latics to next month’s Carling Cup Final
Sven-Goran Eriksson admits media intrusion has hastened his departure.- Wigan Athletic reach their first major cup final. The Premiership new boys’ remarkable season continues as Jason Roberts’ dramatic goal in the last minute of extra time at Arsenal takes the Latics to next month’s Carling Cup Final on the away goals rule. Chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final: “Since I played at Wembley in a cup final, this is the best day”. Wigan will now play either Rovers or Manchester United at Cardiff.
- Sven-Goran Eriksson admits media intrusion has hastened his departure from his post as England’s head coach. Having agreed to step down after the summer’s World Cup, Eriksson told a news conference at the FA’s HQ in Soho Square: “Since some time ago, I felt there was too much circus around my private life. Maybe this [the Fake Sheikh sting] was one too many.”
- The Premier League launch an independent inquiry into irregularities in transfers following the spate of recent ‘bung’ allegations. The inquiry will examine transfers concluded since January 2004 and look for details of any irregular payments.
- Grimsby Town submit a planning application for a new 20,000-seater stadium at Great Coates to be called the Conoco Stadium. The League Two club, who have played at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes since 1899, aim to move to the £15million development for the 2008/09 season.
- Leicester City’s relegation worries deepen as they lose 0-1 at fellow Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle. Paul Wotton’s goals moves the Pilgrims nine points clear of the 21st placed Foxes.
- Blackpool move out of League One’s bottom four with a 4-2 defeat of Doncaster Rovers at Bloomfield Road.
- Stockport County move out of League Two’s bottom two and deny Grimsby Town the chance to become the new leaders as two late goals give the Hatters victory at Edgeley Park. Torquay United drop back into the bottom two with Rochdale’s 3-1 win at Plainmoor.
- Following tonight’s area semi-finals in the LDV Vans Trophy, Carlisle United and Macclesfield Town will contest the Northern final while it’s Swansea City v Colchester United in the South. Non-league interest is ended with defeats for Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford United.
- In Group A of the African Nations Cup, Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win against Libya means they are the first county to confirm a place in the Quarter-Finals. Chelsea’s Didier Drogba nets the opener. Hosts Egypt and rivals Morocco battle out a goalless draw but the eagerly anticipated game fails to reach its expectations.