Wigan Athletic stunned Manchester United 1-0 at the DW Stadium as the champions slumped to their first Premier League defeat since January.
A Shaun Maloney super strike did the damage, handing the hosts their first ever Premier League win over the Red Devils and providing Manchester City with a lifeline in the race for the title.
It was Wigan who began the game strongly, dominating possession, retaining the ball well and forcing United onto the back foot.
The hosts could have taken the lead twice inside the first 10 minutes if not for David de Gea who once again impressed in United's goal.
The young Spaniard tipped a fizzing strike from James McCarthy over the bar and a minute later he punched Maloney's corner clear.
United were struggling, yet could have taken the lead with their first chance, through Javier Hernandez, who was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Gary Caldwell.
Much has been made of the refereeing decisions which both teams have witnessed in recent weeks and the official was once again the talking point after disallowing a goal on the half-hour mark.
Victor Moses was the man to be denied, heading home Maloney's corner only to see it ruled out for a foul by Caldwell on De Gea.
Wigan nevertheless took the lead four minutes into the second half when Maloney combined with Jean Beausejour before curling home brilliantly from the edge of the box.
Struggling for any rythym, United toiled for possession but found it difficult to carve out opportunities as Wigan continued to pepper De Gea's goal, Moses coming closest to doubling the advantage.
With time running out, United continued to press but it simply was not to be and Wigan held on for a win that gives their hopes of avoiding relegation a massive boost.
A Shaun Maloney super strike did the damage, handing the hosts their first ever Premier League win over the Red Devils and providing Manchester City with a lifeline in the race for the title.
It was Wigan who began the game strongly, dominating possession, retaining the ball well and forcing United onto the back foot.
The hosts could have taken the lead twice inside the first 10 minutes if not for David de Gea who once again impressed in United's goal.
The young Spaniard tipped a fizzing strike from James McCarthy over the bar and a minute later he punched Maloney's corner clear.
United were struggling, yet could have taken the lead with their first chance, through Javier Hernandez, who was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Gary Caldwell.
Much has been made of the refereeing decisions which both teams have witnessed in recent weeks and the official was once again the talking point after disallowing a goal on the half-hour mark.
Victor Moses was the man to be denied, heading home Maloney's corner only to see it ruled out for a foul by Caldwell on De Gea.
Wigan nevertheless took the lead four minutes into the second half when Maloney combined with Jean Beausejour before curling home brilliantly from the edge of the box.
Struggling for any rythym, United toiled for possession but found it difficult to carve out opportunities as Wigan continued to pepper De Gea's goal, Moses coming closest to doubling the advantage.
With time running out, United continued to press but it simply was not to be and Wigan held on for a win that gives their hopes of avoiding relegation a massive boost.
