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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Man City 2-1 Sheff Wed | Man City 2-1 Sheff Wed |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Manchester City had to dig deep to see off a battling Sheffield Wednesday side in their FA Cup third round replay. | Manchester City had to dig deep to see off a battling Sheffield Wednesday side in their FA Cup third round replay. |
| Stephen Ireland slotted home after good work by Joey Barton to put City ahead but Lee Bullen levelled with a flicked header from Chris Brunt's free-kick. | Stephen Ireland slotted home after good work by Joey Barton to put City ahead but Lee Bullen levelled with a flicked header from Chris Brunt's free-kick. |
| Owls keeper Mark Crossley brilliantly denied Darius Vassell three times but the former England man persevered and fired home a ferocious winner. | Owls keeper Mark Crossley brilliantly denied Darius Vassell three times but the former England man persevered and fired home a ferocious winner. |
| City play another Championship team, Southampton, at home in round four. | City play another Championship team, Southampton, at home in round four. |
| Interview: Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws Interview: Man City boss Stuart Pearce | Interview: Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws Interview: Man City boss Stuart Pearce |
| But they will not be taking anything for granted after being pushed all the way by Wednesday, who were inspired by their former Wales international shot-stopper. | But they will not be taking anything for granted after being pushed all the way by Wednesday, who were inspired by their former Wales international shot-stopper. |
| Crossley was stationary as Barton's early free-kick whistled past his left-hand post - but the 37-year-old kept his side in the game in the first half, saving twice from Vassell after the pacey frontman twice ran clear. | Crossley was stationary as Barton's early free-kick whistled past his left-hand post - but the 37-year-old kept his side in the game in the first half, saving twice from Vassell after the pacey frontman twice ran clear. |
| Vassell took a heavy touch on his first chance, allowing the somewhat bulky Crossley to come out and block, but he did nothing wrong with his next opportunity - only for the keeper's legs to deny him. | Vassell took a heavy touch on his first chance, allowing the somewhat bulky Crossley to come out and block, but he did nothing wrong with his next opportunity - only for the keeper's legs to deny him. |
| 606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on the match | 606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on the match |
| Wednesday had their chances too though, with Weaver saving well from Marcus Tudgay's drive and the impressive Brunt seeing his drilled shot swerve just wide. | Wednesday had their chances too though, with Weaver saving well from Marcus Tudgay's drive and the impressive Brunt seeing his drilled shot swerve just wide. |
| So it was perhaps a little harsh on Brian Laws' side that they went in behind at the break - Barton springing their offside trap and unselfishly squaring the ball for Ireland to slot home. | So it was perhaps a little harsh on Brian Laws' side that they went in behind at the break - Barton springing their offside trap and unselfishly squaring the ball for Ireland to slot home. |
| Barton has been linked with a move to Everton but his performance - and his reaction to Ireland's goal - suggested his commitment to City, something he underlined after the match. | Barton has been linked with a move to Everton but his performance - and his reaction to Ireland's goal - suggested his commitment to City, something he underlined after the match. |
| Graham Coughlan should have levelled immediately when he headed over from point-blank range but the Owls did not have to wait long after the restart to draw level. | Graham Coughlan should have levelled immediately when he headed over from point-blank range but the Owls did not have to wait long after the restart to draw level. |
| With the City defence napping, Bullen nipped in front of Trevor Sinclair to meet Brunt's free-kick and send his header flying past Weaver and into the net. | With the City defence napping, Bullen nipped in front of Trevor Sinclair to meet Brunt's free-kick and send his header flying past Weaver and into the net. |
| But after doing all the hard work, Wednesday immediately handed the advantage back to their hosts. | But after doing all the hard work, Wednesday immediately handed the advantage back to their hosts. |
| Crossley saved well yet again from Vassell in a one-on-one situation from Ireland's pass but the striker was not to be denied. | Crossley saved well yet again from Vassell in a one-on-one situation from Ireland's pass but the striker was not to be denied. |
| The otherwise ineffective Bernardo Corradi teed up Vassell in the box and he took time to steady himself before rifling an unstoppable shot into the top corner. | The otherwise ineffective Bernardo Corradi teed up Vassell in the box and he took time to steady himself before rifling an unstoppable shot into the top corner. |
| That should not have been the end for Wednesday but, despite being roared on by their army of 6,000 travelling fans, you sensed their moment had passed. | That should not have been the end for Wednesday but, despite being roared on by their army of 6,000 travelling fans, you sensed their moment had passed. |
| The Owls continued to press hard, only to find the City defence showing why it has only conceded two goals in the last five games. | The Owls continued to press hard, only to find the City defence showing why it has only conceded two goals in the last five games. |
| When they did get a sniff, Tudgay blazed over from a good position and Coughlan again failed to find the target with a header from Brunt's corner. | When they did get a sniff, Tudgay blazed over from a good position and Coughlan again failed to find the target with a header from Brunt's corner. |
| At the other end Ireland saw his shot cleared off the line by Glenn Whelan but it is still City who progress. | At the other end Ireland saw his shot cleared off the line by Glenn Whelan but it is still City who progress. |
| Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce:"It was a very open game. There wasn't much between the two sides. | |
| "We are delighted to be through to the next round. Darius has won the tie and deserved a goal for his hard work." | |
| Man City: Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Ireland, Dabo, Vassell (Beasley 90), Corradi (Samaras 76). Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Johnson, Miller. | Man City: Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Ireland, Dabo, Vassell (Beasley 90), Corradi (Samaras 76). Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Johnson, Miller. |
| Booked: Sinclair. | Booked: Sinclair. |
| Goals: Ireland 44, Vassell 56. | Goals: Ireland 44, Vassell 56. |
| Sheff Wed: Crossley, Simek (Wood 88), Bullen, Coughlan, Spurr, Tudgay, Lunt (Folly 46), Whelan, Brunt, MacLean, Burton (Small 46). Subs Not Used: Adamson, Graham. | Sheff Wed: 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. | Booked: Coughlan, Whelan. |
| Goals: Bullen 51. | Goals: Bullen 51. |
| Att: 25,621 | Att: 25,621 |
| Ref: M Dean (Wirral). | Ref: M Dean (Wirral). |