Brave Latics bow out of cup...but Smith scores again
Brave Latics bowed out of the FA Cup with Budweiser following a 3-1 defeat at Everton in their fifth-round replay.
They gave a spirited display, but the Premier League side were determined not to slip up as they did in the 2-2 draw at Boundary Park.
They gave a spirited display, but the Premier League side were determined not to slip up as they did in the 2-2 draw at Boundary Park.
Latics at least had the consolation of scoring as Matt Smith continued his rich vein of scoring in the competiton.
Smith found the net for a fourth time in his last three cup appearances.
Smith found the net for a fourth time in his last three cup appearances.
Latics, 2-0 down at the break, could easily have conceded a third goal soon after the restart when Phil Jagielka shot over from 10 yards when well placed.
Leon Osman then had a chance, but shot into the ground which enabled Dean Bouzanis to make an easy save.
Latics needed a spark and Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk made a double substitution 10 minutes after the restart when Chris Iwelumo and Jordan Obita were repalced by Smith and Robbie Simpson.
The changes provided a new impetus which Latics had lacked.
And not long after their introduction, Latics almost got on to the scoresheet.
Smith sprayed a delightful crossfield pass to release Connor Brown who released Lee Croft who crashed a shot narrowly wide.
Then against the run of play, Everton snatched a third goal when Leon Osman scored his 50th career goal for the Toffees as he glanced a header past keeper Dean Bouzanis from a left-wing cross by Steven Pienaar.
Latics finally had something to cheer when they got on to the scoresheet in the 64th minutes, and inevitably it was Smith who found the net.
Everton were unable to deal with an inswinging corner from Jonathan Grounds as Smith headed home from four yards.
Latics made their final change with 14 minutes left when James Wesolowski replaced Brown as Croft moved from the wing to right back.
Everton had a great chance to add a fourth goal on a counter attack which ended with Kevin Miralles firing over with the goal at his mercy.
Smith might have added a second goal in stoppage time with an excellent header which forced a stretching save from Everton keeper Tim Howard.
Full-time: Evetton 3, Latics 1.
Leon Osman then had a chance, but shot into the ground which enabled Dean Bouzanis to make an easy save.
Latics needed a spark and Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk made a double substitution 10 minutes after the restart when Chris Iwelumo and Jordan Obita were repalced by Smith and Robbie Simpson.
The changes provided a new impetus which Latics had lacked.
And not long after their introduction, Latics almost got on to the scoresheet.
Smith sprayed a delightful crossfield pass to release Connor Brown who released Lee Croft who crashed a shot narrowly wide.
Then against the run of play, Everton snatched a third goal when Leon Osman scored his 50th career goal for the Toffees as he glanced a header past keeper Dean Bouzanis from a left-wing cross by Steven Pienaar.
Latics finally had something to cheer when they got on to the scoresheet in the 64th minutes, and inevitably it was Smith who found the net.
Everton were unable to deal with an inswinging corner from Jonathan Grounds as Smith headed home from four yards.
Latics made their final change with 14 minutes left when James Wesolowski replaced Brown as Croft moved from the wing to right back.
Everton had a great chance to add a fourth goal on a counter attack which ended with Kevin Miralles firing over with the goal at his mercy.
Smith might have added a second goal in stoppage time with an excellent header which forced a stretching save from Everton keeper Tim Howard.
Full-time: Evetton 3, Latics 1.