Manchester City and Wigan are set for dress rehearsal

The South American scored the second-half goal that ultimately booked a meeting with Wigan next month – the sides will face each other in the Premier League on Wednesday.

But he was also fortunate to escape a red card after a nasty challenge on David Luiz.

City manager Roberto Mancini said he had not seen the incident, even though it occured right in front of his dug-out. “I need glasses,” he said, sarcastically, adding: “If I saw I would say I saw.

“I don’t know what he did, but usually Aguero takes a lot of kicks from the defenders.

“The referee was there. There are six referees. If Sergio did something wrong...”

With Samir Nasri also on target for City, it was enough leeway to repel a spirited Chelsea revival after Demba Ba had pulled a goal back.

The triumph keeps Mancini in with a chance of extending his trophy-winning sequence to three seasons, which will answer his critics, who claim this campaign has been one of under-performance for the big-spending Blues.

That Chelsea went out with neither John Terry nor Frank Lampard being asked to make any contribution was the clearest indication yet that Rafael Benitez is presiding over a changing of the guard, even if he will be replaced as well during the summer.

Terry and Lampard had been part of all seven Chelsea FA Cup triumphs at the revamped stadium. At least they were on the bench – Ashley Cole did not even make it that far.

Goalscorer Shaun Maloney says it is “imperative” Wigan are still a Premier League club when they walk out for next month’s FA Cup final.

Maloney opened the scoring before Callum McManaman added the second as the Latics overcame Millwall in Saturday’s semi-final.

But there was no time to celebrate as Wigan remain in the relegation zone with seven games left, starting with their trip to face Cup final opponents City on Wednesday.

“It’s imperative we stay up,” said Maloney. “Obviously it’s a major achievement to have reached the final, but we are straight back in training and it’s back to league business.

“We have a big game against Manchester City on Wednesday. We have to put the cup to the back of our minds for the next few weeks. We’ve got that massive game and then West Ham at the weekend so we are just going to have to forget about the cup.”

Maloney struck in the 25th minute, sweeping the ball home after a fine run and cross from Arouna Kone.

Millwall responded, but Wigan withstood the pressure and 
McManaman ensured a return to Wembley 12 minutes from time when he skipped past Lions goalkeeper David Forde and tucked in the second.

It means chairman Dave Whelan can realise his dream of leading the team out, 53 years after he broke his leg playing in the final for Blackburn.