Wigan Follow Wimbledon and Sunderland in Stunning FA Cup Win over Man City

Ben Watson for Wigan Athletic in 2013. Lawrie Sanchez for Wimbledon in 1988.

Twenty-five years separate the two goals, but the comparisons are undeniable.

BBC commentator John Motson memorably described the Dons' 1-0 victory over Kenny Dalglish's title-winning Liverpool as "the crazy gang have beaten the culture club."

This season, the culture in the final belonged to one team only, and they went on to become deserved victors in an enthralling FA Cup final at Wembley.

Watson rose unmarked inside the area to meet Shaun Maloney's corner and guide it over Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart in the 90th minute.

In 1988, Sanchez rose highest to meet Dennis Wise's floated free-kick and send it beyond Bruce Grobbelaar in the Liverpool goal.

Watson, Wigan and manager Roberto Martinez have now left an indelible mark on the FA Cup after succeeding against the odds.

Where Wigan's trips to Wembley had previously been the forte of the town's all-conquering rugby league side, the football team has now, arguably, usurped any achievement of the Warriors.

The accomplishment of defeating Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled team also ranks alongside Sunderland's 1973 win over Leeds United and Coventry's 1987 triumph at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur for unexpected FA Cup final victories.

Wigan were by far the better team on the day and outclassed a disappointing Manchester City team across the field, with Callum McManaman particularly impressive.

Martinez has been widely tipped as a possible successor to David Moyes at Everton, and his team's performance in the final can surely only act as a spur to the Goodison Park club. Indeed, the Spaniard has won a trophy, something which eluded Moyes in 11 years at Everton.

Martinez must now attempt to guide his team out of the relegation zone in the final two Premier League matches of the season, but on the back of events at Wembley, nobody is going to bet against them just yet.