MANCHESTER — Manchester City guaranteed itself a spot in next season's Champions League Tuesday after Edin Dzeko's first-half goal was enough for a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. Second-place City is now assured of finishing in the top three, which means a direct spot into the group stage of Europe's premier club competition. City rested a number of its top players ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Wigan, but Dzeko guided home a volley in the 35th minute for his third goal against West Brom this season. Both sides spurned numerous other chances with City hitting the woodwork twice through Carlos Tevez and James Milner in the first half and Marcus Rosenberg doing likewise for West Brom after the break. Meanwhile, Wigan twice squandered the lead to slump to a costly 3-2 home loss to Swansea and stay rooted in the Premier League's relegation zone with just two games left. The league's perennial escapologist, Wigan would have clambered out of the bottom three with a win but defensive howlers led to Swansea striker Itay Shechter making it 2-2 in the 59th minute and Dwight Tiendalli grabbing a scrappy winner in the 76th. Wigan is three points from safety with games to come against Arsenal away and Aston Villa at home. It has escaped relegation on the final day in three of the last six seasons but this could be a step too far. “We have done it before and we can do it again — we can go anywhere in the Premier League and get the points,” Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland, who are all three points clear of Wigan, as well as a host of other clubs above them will have breathed a big sigh of relief when referee Kevin Friend blew for full time after nine minutes of injury time following a serious-looking injury to Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm. The Netherlands international was carried off on a stretcher late on after clashing with teammate Ben Davies in an aerial collision but Swansea manager Michael Laudrup said Vorm wasn't seriously injured. Roma loses to Chievo Roma's European hopes were dented as a late goal saw it lose 1-0 at home to lowly Chievo Verona in Serie A Tuesday. Cyril Thereau volleyed home a perfect cross from Boukary Drame with one of the visitors' only chances. Roma remained provisionally fifth. — Agencies
