Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is convinced they deserved victory after their 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

"I thought the longer it went on there was only going to be one winner," he said. "The unfortunate thing for us was we missed the chances when they came because I think overall we should have taken it.

"But it was not a classic. It is never easy at quarter past five.

"It was very difficult for us with the results going against us."

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson remarked: "I can't go into the dressing room and tell the players they didn't try, they didn't work, the spirit was not good and things like that because I think it was, until the end of the match.

"You have to score a goal, then it would have been another type of football.

"I am disappointed with the result but as long as we fight and try I think as a manager you are okay and you shouldn't accuse the players of not trying."

Eriksson added: "Congratulations to Wigan. It is very difficult to break them down.

"You can understand from the first minute there will be a lot of occasions when we will not create if we do not score a goal.

"They are very good, physically strong team and as soon as they lose the ball they have eight or nine men behind the ball - which is very good for them."