Hart, Alcaraz start in FA Cup final

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini sprang a selection surprise in Saturday's FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic by picking Joe Hart in goal ahead of Costel Pantilimon. England international Hart is City's regular first-choice goalkeeper, but Pantilimon played in all of the club's games en route to the final and Mancini had suggested that the Romanian would continue in goal for the 2011 winners. In all, Mancini made eight changes to the team that beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in the Premier League on Tuesday, with Hart, Samir Nasri and Carlos Tevez the only players to keep their places. Yaya Toure was set to start in central midfield alongside Gareth Barry after shrugging off a calf muscle complaint. Wigan handed a start to centre-back Antolin Alcaraz, despite manager Roberto Martinez having rated his chances of participating as only "50-50" after he was sidelined by a hamstring injury. The Paraguayan comes into the team alongside Spanish midfielder Jordi Gomez in two changes to the team that lost 3-2 at home to Swansea City in mid-week. Maynor Figueroa (groin), Jean Beausejour (hamstring), Ivan Ramis (knee) and Ronnie Stam (ankle) all missed out for Wigan through injury. Wigan, who are appearing in an FA Cup final for the first time, have been granted special dispensation by the Football Association for owner Dave Whelan to lead the team out at Wembley. The 76-year-old broke his leg while playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers and never played at the highest level again. Source: AFP