Manchester City 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Thirty-eight years have passed since Manchester City last won the FA Cup and there is plenty of improvement needed, particularly in attack, if they are to end that long sequence this year. Yet Stuart Pearce's team are into the fourth round after overcoming a spirited Sheffield Wednesday.
City were ultimately too strong and the margin of victory would have been greater had it not been for Mark Crossley's goalkeeping at the age of 37. As it was, City had to endure some anxious moments after Stephen Ireland gave them the lead shortly before half-time. Lee Bullen, the Wednesday captain, headed in an equaliser early in the second half but Darius Vassell promptly restored City's lead on a night when the only real disappointment for Pearce was the sight of a half-empty stadium at a time when admission prices had been slashed to as low as £5.
Wednesday were strong in the tackle, quick to the ball and lacked no shortage of ambition. Crucially, however, their defending was notably inferior to the level of opposition to which City are accustomed. Twice in the opening 34 minutes, Ireland sent Vassell running clear of the defence only for Crossley to thwart him on both occasions. A fault-line had appeared in the visitors' offside trap and when it happened a third time not even Crossley could save them.
This time Trevor Sinclair sent Joey Barton scampering towards goal on the right of the penalty area. The midfielder had two choices: either to try to beat Crossley from a tight angle or square the ball into Ireland's path. Barton made the right choice and Ireland did the rest for his second goal of the season.
On the balance of play, City just about merited the lead. Wednesday, however, will reflect on a number of their own chances in this period. Marcus Tudgay and Steve MacLean both had opportunities to score at 0-0 and Chris Brunt whistled a 25-yard effort only inches over the crossbar.
Brian Laws, the Wednesday manager, had reminded his players before kick-off that City had lost to Doncaster, Chesterfield and Oldham in various cup ties over the last two years. The message was clear: City are notoriously vulnerable when playing teams from leagues below them.
The theory was given credence five minutes into the second half. Brunt whipped in a dangerous free-kick and Bullen darted in front of Sinclair to divert the ball beyond Nicky Weaver.
Within three minutes Crossley denied Vassell for a third time but in City's next attack the former England striker finally accepted one of his opportunities in front of goal. The paradox was that it was probably the hardest chance of all.
Vassell, without a goal in his previous 10 games, had defenders in close proximity and was at a difficult angle when Bernardo Corradi flicked the ball into his path. Vassell took one touch to get the ball under control then fired in a diagonal shot that was still rising as it speared into the top corner of Crossley's goal.
Wednesday huffed and puffed but Tudgay volleyed over their only real chance of note in the final stages.
MANCHESTER CITY: Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Ireland, Dabo, Vassell (Beasley 90), Corradi (Samaras 76). Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Johnson, Miller. Booked: Sinclair. Goals: Ireland 44, Vassell 56.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Crossley, Simek (Wood 88), Bullen, Coughlan, Spurr, Tudgay, Lunt (Folly 46), Whelan, Brunt, MacLean, Burton (Small 46). Subs Not Used: Adamson, Graham. Booked: Coughlan, Whelan. Goals: Bullen 51.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
