Pearce 'devastated' to crash out of FA Cup

Monday, 20, Mar 2006 11:07

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has revealed defeat in the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage is a bitter pill to swallow, with his side crashing out at home 2-1 to an energetic West Ham side.

Both teams rested key players at the weekend in preparation for this game, but it had little impact on the opening exchanges with City and the Hammers creating few clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities.

"We thought we would get more chances on goal but it just didn't happen and my players are devastated," said Pearce.

Two goals in each half from ex-Norwich striker Dean Ashton put the Blues to the sword and the home team had to contend with the sending off of defender Sun Jihai early on in the second half.

Pearce said he was pleased with the efforts of his team after Jihai's dismissal, but felt Ashton's second well-taken goal effectively killed the game off.

"I was proud of my players after we went down to ten-men. We put them under pressure and West Ham looked nervous when we scored," he said.

"When the score went to 2-0 in West Ham's favour we were left chasing."

Two-goal hero Ashton explained that he felt the Hammers had coped well with the attacking threat of Man City.

"Obviously it's a really hard place to come and they threw everything at us," he said.

The £7 million January transfer window signing scored a great opening goal, combining finesse, to beat the Man City defence, with a powerful drive to leave goalkeeper David James with little chance.

Ashton revealed that he is happy to score goals in any fashion as long as his team-mates keep on supplying the ammunition.

He said: "I don't mind using either foot, luckily I got a good strike on it and it went in at the near post."

With the remaining three FA Cup quarter-finals to take place this week, the semi-final draw will be made on Friday.