http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7012888.eceSven-Göran Eriksson rewarded by Notts County’s stunning upsetWigan Athletic 0 Notts County 2
Even Sven-Göran Eriksson was on his feet in excitement. Notts County, a week after surviving a winding-up order, with a transfer embargo still in place as they chase promotion from Coca-Cola League Two under the caretaker management of Dave Kevan, deservedly beat Wigan Athletic, their Barclays Premier League opponents, to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1992.
The former England head coach, County’s director of football, was celebrating from on high at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night as his loyalty for remaining at Meadow Lane amid the sequence of crises this season was rewarded by an audacious display, with Ben Davies, creator of both late goals, and Kasper Schmeichel, their stand-out performers.
“It’s a wonderful night for the club,” Eriksson said. “But all the credit must go to the manager.” Peter Schmeichel, the County goalkeeper’s father, sat behind Eriksson in the directors’ box as 700 fans from Nottinghamshire celebrated their pinch-me moments. Having beaten one top-flight side County will travel to Fulham a week on Sunday.
“It was a fantastic night for everyone involved,” Kevan said. “The lads were very disciplined and when they did break through, Kasper was there to make some great saves. It makes us all very proud. I’m just here, keeping things going, and if the investment comes in, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a new manager.”
Kevan stepped into the breach when Hans Backe resigned in December. Even without being able to bring in any new players, Kevan, with Eriksson’s support, has steadied the ship and led the team back to within reach of the automatic promotion places.
Undefeated throughout Kevan’s two spells as caretaker manager in this tumultuous season, County had been 2-0 up in the initial tie at Meadow Lane. Since then, Blenheim 1862, County’s parent company, has been to the High Court and saved from a £324,206 winding-up petition from Revenue & Customs by the eleventh-hour intervention of the latest mystery backers, who have until February 24 to show the colour of their money.
Vladimir Stojkovic, the Wigan goalkeeper, had to parry Lee Hughes’s powerful blast and then shovel the ball behind when the talented Davies followed up. From the ensuing corner, Scott Sinclair cleared off the line from Neal Bishop.
“We’ve got more fans than you,” sang the travelling hordes, mocking Wigan for their dearth of either history or support. However, early in the second period, Wigan remembered their present status as Jason Scotland’s header required a brilliant diving save from Schmeichel.
County rode the storm, before, incredibly, scoring twice. Luke Rodgers, the substitute, won a corner in the 75th minute that Davies dispatched for Stephen Hunt to head in. Then, three minutes later, as Wigan left space at the back, Davies sent over a superb centre that Stojkovic failed to claim and Gary Caldwell inadvertently turned into his own net.
“We allowed ourselves to get frustrated,” Roberto Martínez, the Wigan manager, said. “You know what you’re going to get in these kind of games, and when you can’t get the first goal, you know you’ve got a lot to lose. But this is a day for Notts County to celebrate and for us to learn our lessons.”
Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1): V Stojkovic — E Boyce (sub: H Rodallega, 86min), G Caldwell, T Bramble, M Figueroa — P Scharner, M Diamé (sub: J McCarthy, 61) — J Gómez, J Koumas (sub: C N’Zogbia, 61), S Sinclair — J Scotland. Substitutes not used: M Pollitt, A Amaya, H Thomas, B Watson.
Notts County (4-1-4-1): K Schmeichel — J Thompson, M Edwards, S Hunt, J Jackson — J Clapham — C Westcarr (sub: K Hawley, 73), R Ravenhill, N Bishop, B Davies (sub: M Hamshaw, 90) — L Hughes (sub: L Rodgers, 73). Substitutes not used: R Hoult, G Lee, B Fairclough, A Akinbiyi. Booked: Ravenhill.
Referee: K Friend.
Upsetting times
County join other famous giant killers from the bottom division to have knocked out top-flight clubs in the FA Cup
1971 Colchester United 3 Leeds United 2 Two goals from Ray Crawford, a 34-year-old veteran, brought down the first division leaders
1992 Wrexham 2 Arsenal 1 Mickey Thomas, 37, the former Manchester United winger, scored a brilliant free kick before Steve Watkin secured a late winner
2003 Shrewsbury Town 2 Everton 1 Two goals by Nigel Jemson enabled Kevin Ratcliffe, the former Everton captain, to return to the limelight as Shrewsbury manager
Words by Peter Lansley