THE FA Cup continues to rip up the formbook every season and it did so again at the weekend. Leyton Orient took the main honours, holding mighty Arsenal to a draw at Brisbane Road.
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| CHANCE: A second go for Leyton Orient after Tehoue's leveller |
The Gunners were coming off the back of a famous win over Barcelona in the Champions League and Arsene Wenger made ten changes to his line-up from midweek, with Alex Song the only participant to start both of these games. They dominated possession for much of the game, but with the changes made, lacked the cutting edge infront of goal. However, Tomas Rosicky’s second half header looked to be good enough to send Wenger’s team into the quarter-finals. However, Orient, who came into the match in excellent form, having only lost one out of their last 20 matches dug in and found an unlikely equaliser. Substitute Jonathan Tehoue powered past two weak Arsenal challenges then fired a shot underneath Manuel Almunia’s legs. It earned the League One side a 1-1 draw and a money-spinning replay at the Emirates, but it will be an extra game that Arsenal could do without, considering they are the only club in England to still be fighting it out on four different fronts.
At least Arsenal remain in the competition, as London rivals and cup holders Chelsea bowed out in a dramatic penalty shootout against Everton. Fixture congestion has meant that this fourth round replay was played on fifth round weekend, three weeks after the initial 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Chelsea got on top for large periods, but once again, struggled to put their opponents away. In extra-time, Frank Lampard had the Blues ahead for the first time in the tie and it looked to be good enough, despite Maroualine Fellani having a goal ruled out for offside. Another unfriendly twist was in the way for the under pressure Carlo Ancelotti and it came in the 118th minute. Branislav Ivanovic’s unnecessary challenge on Phil Jagielka gave Everton a soft free-kick. England left-back Leighton Baines went on to produce a stunning curling shot, which left Petr Cech flat-footed. Although Baines saw his penalty saved by Cech in the shootout, Chelsea went on to gift Everton a passage through into the next round. Nicolas Anelka’s very casual run-up was punished, as his effort was saved by Tim Howard. After an accidental clash with Johnny Heitinga, Ashley Cole looked unsettled and his penalty was truly shocking. He leaned back, went for power and the ball headed towards Gatwick airport! Everton skipper Phil Neville dispatched the Toffees final kick with consummate ease, to set-up a fifth round tie at home to Reading. It was Everton’s first win at Stamford Bridge since November 1994 and inflicted Chelsea’s seventh penalty shootout defeat in their last eight encounters. Surely, Ancelotti must now win the Champions League if he doesn’t want to be collecting his P45 from Roman Abramovich at the end of the season.
Manchester United can consider being very fortunate that they are still in this season’s FA Cup, after limping past brave Crawley Town at Old Trafford on Saturday night. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted afterwards that Crawley were very unlucky to not earn what would have been a deserved replay. Wes Brown headed home the only goal, flicking in Darren Gibson’s cross on 29 minutes. After the break, Crawley’s performance was so good; it looked more Premiership than non-league. In stoppage time, Richard Brodie eluded a sleeping Wayne Rooney at the back post and powered his header over Andreas Lindgaard, but onto the crossbar and out of play. Sometimes, this competition can show its cruelty alongside the epic romance stories. The plaudits deservedly went to Crawley, but it was Manchester United who claimed the prize of a place in the sixth round.
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| COOL: Another goal for Tevez, another win for Man City |
Manchester rivals City overcame a stubborn Notts County outfit on Sunday afternoon in their fourth round replay. Despite Roberto Mancini’s team deserving their victory and a clash with Aston Villa next week, the 5-0 scoreline did flatter them massively. County controlled the early exchanges and were very unlucky not to be ahead, when Karl Hawley’s wonderful curling drive struck the woodwork. Patrick Vieira headed in two goals from corners; one in both halves and it was only in the last five minutes that the League One side opened the floodgates. Carlos Tevez, who came on for the broody and lazy Mario Balotelli, scored the third, then set-up the fourth for new strike partner Edin Dzeko. A powerful volley from Micah Richards completed the scoring in injury time. There were positive signs of Tevez and Dzeko beginning to form a deadly strike force on Sunday and I’d suggest Balotelli begins to drop his disgusting attitude if he doesn’t want to be warming his backside on the seats at the City of Manchester stadium on a regular basis.
In other results, Bolton Wanderers made the sixth round for the first time since 2005. They overcame Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. Ivan Klasnic, who scored the winner in a fourth round replay at Wigan the previous Wednesday, got the deciding goal in West London. The only consolation for Mark Hughes was the return to first-team action for Bobby Zamora, five months after a sickening injury he picked up against Wolves. Zamora looked fairly sharp and with more games and fitness, could be the tonic Fulham need to lift their dispiriting campaign so far. West Ham’s poor league position was forgotten on Monday night, as the demolished Burnley 5-1 at Upton Park. There was a stunning goal from Thomas Hitzlsperger on his Hammers debut; this also after a frustrating spell out through injury and two goals from Carlton Cole. Birmingham City and Stoke City complete the teams to make the last eight, after comprehensive 3-0 home successes against Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton respectively.
For some teams, Wembley is now only one game away. A Premiership dominated final eight looks more likely now, so if you want a giant-killing, cheer on Reading and Leyton Orient to produce.
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