Wigan and Zaki refuse to believe the hype

Wigan 2 Manchester City 1: Manchester City's plans for world domination will have to wait for another week after Wigan became…

Wigan 2 Manchester City 1:Manchester City's plans for world domination will have to wait for another week after Wigan became the latest side to hush the celebrations among Eastlands supporters after the club's recent takeover.

Brighton payed no heed to their billionaire opponents in the Carling Cup in midweek and little respect was shown to Robinho and co at the JJB Stadium today either, as new arrival Amr Zaki continued his free-scoring run with a first half penalty that sealed the points.

A superb strike from Antonio Valencia had given the homeside the lead in the 16th minute but they were pegged back moments later by a goal from Vincent Kompany, another Premier League newcomer.

City boss Hughes recalled record signing Robinho as he made five changes from the team which were eliminated by Brighton.

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Robinho along with Shaun Wright-Phillips, Javier Garrido, Micah Richards and Joe Hart came in for City as Michael Ball, Tal Ben Haim, Michael Johnson, Daniel Sturridge and Kasper Schmeichel made way.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce makes two changes to the side which won 4-1 at Ipswich with Kevin Kilbane and Paul Scharner replaced by Maynor Figueroa and skipper Mario Melchiot.

The hosts had the first opportunity in the 13th minute from a short corner when the ball found striker Zaki on the right edge of the penalty area — but his ambitious shot flew just over the bar.

The Latics then took the lead with a spectacular strike from Valencia three minutes later.

City failed to clear the danger from a free-kick and Valencia controlled the ball 30 yards out on the right side of the area before he lashed a shot past goalkeeper Hart into the top-right corner of the net.

The visitors almost equalised moments later after neat build-up play but Robinho's shot from the edge of the box went just past the post.

However, Hughes' side did pull level in the 21st minute from a free-kick — after Wright-Phillips had been fouled by Figueroa.

Elano whipped the dead ball into the penalty area and Belgium international Kompany was able to steer the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Wigan were given a chance to restore their lead in the 34th minute when they were awarded a penalty by referee Steve Bennett after Javier Garrido was deemed to have fouled Wilson Palacios inside the box.

The decision seemed debatable with Garrido having made minimal contact with Palacios and Bennett booked Robinho for his protests.

Zaki took the resulting spot-kick and confidently sent Hart the wrong way with a placed effort into the bottom-right corner of the net.

City were denied a penalty of their own just before half-time when Richard Dunne fell under pressure from Emile Heskey but Bennett waved away their appeals.

Wigan began the second period brightly and Titus Bramble went close with a header which drifted wide of the post from Valencia's cross five minutes after the interval.

Latics boss Bruce was then forced into a change in midfield when Lee Cattermole picked up an injury and was replaced by Michael Brown.

Brazilian playmaker Elano came closer to an equaliser in the 61st minute with a long-range attempt which beat the dive of Chris Kirkland but flew past the post.

Wright-Phillips forced Kirkland to make his first real save of the half when he struck a near-post shot in the 73rd minute.

The ineffective Jo was withdrawn by Hughes a minute later in favour of Ched Evans as City pressed for an equaliser — and he almost had an immediate impact.

The Wigan defence struggled to deal with a long ball and Kirkland missed his kick as he came off his line — but with the ball rolling towards goal Wigan cleared.

City continued to create a series of half-chances but the Wigan defence stood firm and frequently looked dangerous on the break.

Zaki then had a late chance to add a third in the final minute of injury-time on the counter-attack but Hart tipped his shot over the bar.