Wigan make light work of Terriers
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez made seven changes, but his side was still too good for Huddersfield and cruised through to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 26 years with a 4-1 win.
Winger Callum McManaman and midfielder James McArthur were two players Martinez recalled and they rewarded the Spaniard with displays full of Premier League class. McManaman struck a fine opening goal in the 31st minute and Arouna Kone tapped home a second shortly before the break.
McArthur struck a brilliant third goal from the edge of the penalty area early in the second half and although Huddersfield substitute Lee Novak headed home just after the hour, it was not enough to trouble Wigan, who emphatically underlined their superiority when Kone thundered home a fourth goal in the closing stages.
Wigan settled quicker on a bobbly surface and Jordi Gomez headed an early cross from McManaman over the bar. The visitors dominated early possession, but Huddersfield carved out their first chance when Alan Lee failed to keep his header on target from Calum Woods' cross.
Wigan's pressure, however, yielded rewards as McArthur swivelled on the spot and sent a fine ball in behind Huddersfield right-back Jack Hunt to set McManaman free. The Wigan winger raced into the penalty area before dinking a cool finish over sprawling home goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
Wigan doubled their lead five minutes before half-time as McManaman's pace sent him clear of Hunt and his excellent low cross was met by Gomez, whose goalbound shot was blocked only for Kone to flick home the rebound at the far post.
Town strikers James Vaughan and Lee Novak replaced Lee and Chris Atkinson during the break and the latter almost cashed in on a defensive mix-up soon after, but his shot was well blocked by Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles.
Normal service was soon resumed as Maynor Figueroa unleashed a shot into the side-netting. McManaman and McArthur combined on the left again to put the tie beyond doubt in the 56th minute as the latter arrowed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.
But Huddersfield did not lie down and Novak lifted home spirits when heading home Woods' pinpoint cross six minutes later. The Yorkshire side did mount a late rally, but a smart Robles save from Neil Danns' late cross snuffed out the chance.
The fourth goal came when Kone pounced on a loose ball 25 yards from goal in the 89th minute and, after evading the covering defence, crashed home a right-footed shot from just inside the area into the roof of the net.
