Wigan Athletic ... 1 Manchester City ... 0 The Wigan striker Neil Roberts proved that revenge is a dish best served cold with a first-half strike that sent Manchester City tumbling out of the League Cup and, at the same time, ended three years of hurt for the home side.

Having been denied a place in the Second Division play-off final by a disputed Shaun Goater goal in 1999, Wigan have waited for their chance to get their own back on their more illustrious near-neighbours.

And with Roberts's goal closing one route into Europe for Kevin Keegan's team this season, revenge has been taken.

Keegan backed up his desire to end the club's 26-year wait for a major trophy by naming a full-strength team, insisting that City cannot yet pick and choose which tournaments they wish to win.

Wigan defender Nicky Eaden signalled the home side's intent with a right-foot strike which flew over Carlo Nash's crossbar on eight minutes.

City failed to heed the early warning and Paul Jewell's team deservedly took the lead when Neil Roberts scored from six yards 10 minutes before the break. The former Wrexham forward was in the right place at the right time at the far post to send a low right foot shot past Nash from Jason De Vos's header.

WIGAN: Filan, Eaden, Jackson, De Vos, McMillan (Mitchell 61), Liddell (Teale 39), Jarrett, Dinning, Kennedy, Roberts, Ellington (Green 78). Subs Not Used: Beasant, Flynn. Booked: Dinning, Green. Goals: Roberts 35.

MAN CITY: Nash, Jihai, Howey (Wiekens 19), Distin (Horlock 34), Dunne, Wright-Phillips, Foe, Benarbia, Jensen, Anelka, Goater (Huckerby 68). Subs Not Used: Flowers, Vuoso. Booked: Foe, Horlock.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).