City Weaver, Distin, Dunne, Sinclair, Richards, Jordan, Ireland, Dabo, Corradi, Vassell, Barton – Subs Beasley(90), Miller(unused), Isaksson(unused), Johnson(unused), Samaras(76)

Sheff Weds Crossley, Simek, Coughlan, Bullen, Spurr, Tudgay, Lunt, Whelan, Brunt, MacLean, Burton – subs Small(45), Adamson(unused), Graham(unused), Wood(88), Folly(45)

STEVIE IRELAND OPENS THE SCORING

 WHAT THE PRESS SAID

Joey Barton last night provided conclusive proof of why Everton are prepared to pay £5.5M to prise him away from Manchester City as the tenacious midfielder inspired Stuart Pearce’s side to an FA Cup triumph. Darius Vassell may have grabbed the winner and atoned for missing a hat-trick of one on ones with Wednesday keeper Mark Crossley, but it was Barton’s relentless drive and industry that ensured City advanced to a fourth-round tie with Southampton. And after almost single- handedly driving Pearce’s side to victory, playing a key role in both goals, Barton pledged his future to City and quashed any suggestion that he would be moving on during this transfer window. But if he maintains his current rate of progress, Barton is likely to attract a number of fresh Premiership suitors come the summer, Then City really will have a fight on their hands to hold on to the sought-after 24 year old. Barton has erased the needless indiscipline and wayward streak that used to land him in so much unnecessary trouble and channelled it into becoming a midfielder of real stature, impressive progress that is soon to be rewarded with a first England call-up. All the speculation surrounding his future seemed to give Barton extra impetus. as he played like a man possessed and ensured he was the catalyst for virtually everything City created, aided by the equally impressive Stephen Ireland. Vassell had already squandered two chances when one on one with Crossley, before Barton set up Ireland for City’s opener a minute before half-time. Trevor Sinclair released Barton with a clever ball through the Wednesday defence. Barton charged into the area and Squared the ball to Ireland, who calmly steered it into the net. Barton°s performance was the most eloquent expression of his desire to stay at City and continue the progression which has seen him become one of the country’s most impressive young players. But City had to fight for their win. Wednesday hit back in the 51st minute when a superbly worked free kick and equally impressive header saw them draw level. Chris Brunt’s inswinging delivery was flicked on and into the net by skipper Lee Bullen. Pearce was livid at his side’s lack of defending, and his anger was compounded moments after the equaliser when Vassell was again through on goal with only Crossley to beat but came off second best. Yet any lingering anger Pearce had with misfiring striker Vassell was dispelled in the 56th minute when the player finally managed to find the back of the net to score the winner. Barton chipped the ball over the Wednesday defence to Bernardo Corradi, who laid it back into the path of Vassell. The former England striker took one touch before curling the ball past Crossley and into the far corner. City‘s reward for overcoming Wednesday is that tie against Saints. But if this win helped keep Barton at the club: then that would prove the bigger coup for Pearce and City. DAVID MCDONNELL WRITING FOR THE DAILY MIRROR 17TH JANUARY 2007

DARIUS VASSELL WINS THE GAME FOR CITY AND LEAVES WEDNESDAY CUSTODIAN, CROSSLEY DEJECTED