Savic

The performance of his replacement, Savic, merely reinforced City's sense of loss.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Five talking points | Andy Hunter 2012

Stefan Savic, Kompany's replacement at centre back, had looked uneasy from the start and the Montenegro international, who turned 21 on Sunday, gave the visitors a present when he raised his foot and caught Agger on the knee, conceding what turned out to be the penalty that enabled Liverpool to take an advantage into the second leg.

Andy Carroll and Glen Johnson fly into Kompany tackle debate 2012

Manchester City's Stefan Savic fouls Liverpool's Daniel Agger to give away the penalty from which Steven Gerrard gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Manchester City 0 - 1 Liverpool – as it happened | Simon Burnton 2012

Then Savic raked Agger's knee to concede the penalty.

Manchester City v Liverpool: Five talking points | Andy Hunter 2012

I reckon he quite likes his job.7.52pm: Two words that will bring hope to Wigan fans: Stefan Savic.

Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 1 | minute-by-minute report 2012

Given the captaincy, the burly 23-year-old showed a readiness to lead by example in defence and attack, covering for Savic and driving up the touchline whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Andy Carroll and Glen Johnson fly into Kompany tackle debate 2012

Stefan Savic had looked vulnerable against Liverpool in last week's Carling Cup game but this was a far less demanding examination.

Wigan Athletic 0-1 Manchester City | Premier League match report 2012

The ball flashes wide of the near post, but Gary Neville will be adding that little bit of "defending" to his half-time highlights reel.8 mins: David Silva's brain is approximately 18% quicker than Samir Nasri's, who fails to predict the Spaniard's little edge-of-area return pass, allowing Wigan to intercept.9 mins: Some delicious tight passing by City earns a corner, from which Savic sends a free header floating over the bar.

Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 1 | minute-by-minute report 2012

I'd say "magnificent" implies an amount of all-round awesomeness which is extremely hard to achieve, and even harder if one happens to be called Neville, and insist on sporting a messy 'tache.39 mins: City have had a very long period of near-total possession dominance without even once threatening to do anything particularly interesting with it.42 mins: Wigan get a fairly threatening free-kick, but Savic does well to beat Rodallega to the header.

Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 1 | minute-by-minute report 2012

Kompany's absence was sorely felt by City as his replacement, Stefan Savic, conceded the decisive penalty with a foul on Daniel Agger.

Steven Gerrard and Roberto Mancini clash after Liverpool win at City 2012