Manchester City have no intention of coasting towards the FA Cup final, first-team coach David Platt has promised.
City are all but out of contention to win the Barclays Premier League but have a firm grip on second place and could be tempted to ease up before facing Wigan at Wembley next month. But aside from the fact the runners-up spot is not guaranteed, City feel they have standards to maintain and having finally hit top form, they do not want to let up.
City are back in Premier League action as they host relegation-threatened Wigan in a cup final dress rehearsal at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, and Platt said: "Rather than dramatising the situation, it is about finishing the season as strongly as we can do. You would probably put money on us finishing second now and hopefully we will win the FA Cup."
He went on: "But we still have to play a good team and anything can happen in the final. We have our own expectations and our own expectations are very high."
City went into their semi-final on the back of an impressive and psychologically important derby win over Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford. Prior to that they demolished Newcastle 4-0. There is a feeling that since conceding defeat to United in the title race - they currently trail by 15 points - they have started playing without pressure.
But Platt said: "I don't think it is a case of that, the pressure is still on to win football games."
City were certainly at their best for the first hour of their semi-final win, dominating in all departments to claim a 2-0 lead. Chelsea responded and forced Roberto Mancini's men to defend resolutely in the closing third but City came through 2-1.
Platt said: "It is a big result. You set off every season playing for the trophies you are involved in. You want to win them all.
"There is nothing like an FA Cup final in England. It stands the test of time despite all the euphoria around the Champions League and Premier League, which are the big prizes, let's not be silly about it. The FA Cup final has got its own status in this country. We would like to be in it."
City are unlikely to risk playmaker David Silva against Wigan as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Micah Richards, Maicon and Jack Rodwell are all back in contention after lengthy lay-offs as Mancini considers changes.
Source: PA
