Darius Vassell secured Manchester City's passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup and a home match with Southampton.

The striker scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday in this replay after Lee Bullen had equalised for the visitors.

Despite interest from Everton it was Joey Barton who pulled the strings for City, who opened the scoring through Stephen Ireland.

Manager Stuart Pearce made one change to the side that stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a draw at Bolton, Stephen Jordan returning to the left-back spot.

Wednesday also made one change following the defeat at Derby with Graham Coughlan coming in for Madjid Bougherra, who has a calf injury.

Bernardo Corradi attempted to release Vassell in the third minute but the City striker had strayed into an offside position.

The home side mounted another attack six minutes later when Richard Dunne got on the end of Barton's corner only for his header to be scrambled away.

Then two minutes later Barton delivered a clever free-kick from 25 yards that drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Barton was left hobbling in the 13th minute after a challenge from Coughlan that earned him a booking.

Wednesday almost opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Marcus Tudgay rattled in a shot but Nicky Weaver made a good block.

City hit back and Barton released Ireland and he raced into the box but put in a weak shot. Goalkeeper Mark Crossley spilled the ball but City failed to take advantage.

Barton was certainly looking focused despite all the speculation about his future and the crowd were creating a good atmosphere with Wednesday roared on by 6,000 fans.

However, the visitors had a scare in the 34th minute when Vassell broke clear.

He showed a good turn of pace to home in on goal with only Crossley to beat but the experienced goalkeeper saved with his leg.

Wednesday pressed forward in the 43rd minute and Chris Brunt rattled in a shot to whistle narrowly past the post.

A minute later City made the breakthrough thanks to the unselfish Barton after a swift counter-attack.

He raced into the area and squared the ball to Ireland who made no mistake.

Corradi should have done better a minute into the second half when he got on the end of a cross but the Italian failed to test Crossley and sent his close-range header wide of the post.

Ireland was growing in confidence and raced to the byline in the 49th minute and tried to pick out Corradi, but Bullen remained alert and got in front of the striker to clear the danger.

Bullen then had business at the other end and pulled Wednesday level with a stunning header in the 51st minute. It looped high over Nicky Weaver after Brunt had whipped in a free-kick from the right.

City hit back two minutes later when Vassell was again one on one with Crossley after Ireland had slipped the ball through. Crossley came out on top, although he needed treatment after colliding with the City striker.

Wednesday's were level for three minutes as Vassell got his reward. He found the top corner with a superbly-weighted effort after Corradi had cut the ball back to him.

Ireland had a chance to extend City's lead but only succeeded in finding Crossley's body with a weak effort.

Barton was at the hub of another good move in the 71st minute when he sent Vassell away.

He picked out Corradi at the near post where he lost his balance and Wednesday scrambled the ball away.

Play switched down the other end and Steven MacLean's shot was blocked by Weaver with substitute Wade Small hoisting the rebound over the top.

Barton sent substitute Georgios Samaras clear in the 79th minute but Crossley took the ball off his toes.

Tudgay squandered a great chance to pull Wednesday level by smashing his shot wide in the 86th minute and Small headed past the post from close range in stoppage time.

Ireland almost added a third but his close-range effort was cleared off the line by Glenn Whelan in a rousing finale.

Teams:

Man City Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair,Barton, Ireland, Dabo, Vassell (Beasley 90),Corradi (Samaras 76).

Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Johnson, Miller.

Booked: Sinclair.

Goals: Ireland 44, Vassell 56.

Sheff Wed Crossley, Simek (Wood 88), Bullen, Coughlan, Spurr,Tudgay, Lunt (Folly 46), Whelan, Brunt, MacLean,Burton (Small 46).

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Graham.

Booked: Coughlan, Whelan.

Goals: Bullen 51.

Att: 25,621

Ref: M Dean (Wirral).