Tevez suspended for refusing to play

MANCHESTER City have suspended star striker Carlos Tevez for a maximum of two weeks.  This follows the extraordinary incident, which seems to highlight that the wantaway Argentine forward refused to come off the bench during City’s 2-0 defeat in the UEFA Champions League at Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

    Early on in the match, the former Manchester City captain was seen warming up alongside fellow subs Pablo Zabaleta and James Milner.  They had to witness a dismal first half from the English side, falling two goals behind to tap-ins from Mario Gomez.  On the hour mark, the disappointed Edin Dzeko was replaced by Nigel de Jong.  With the game looking out of the reach, it initially looked like a negative move by Coach Roberto Mancini to restrict the damage of a heavy defeat.  However, more met the eye by the argument Tevez seemed to be having with one of the coaches.  Whether the instruction was ignored, misunderstood or misheard, he sat on the bench for the rest of the match, arms folded, looking just as miserable as he did when Mancini decided to bring on Mario Balotelli rather than him in Saturday’s Premiership success against Everton.  Only after the final whistle did Mancini confirm to the media that serious attitude problem that Tevez had shown;

“If I have my way, he will be out.  He is finished with me.  If we want to improve as a team, Carlos can’t play with us.  With me, he is finished.  He refused to come on the pitch.  What I said to Carlos is between me, him and the team, but I am really disappointed because it is Carlos.  I decide the changes.”

     Yesterday morning, Tevez released a statement, denying that he had refused to play in Munich hours earlier;

“I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.  They understand that when I am on the pitch, I have always given my best for the club.  In Munich on Tuesday, I had warmed up and was ready to play.”

     Last night, the club released this statement on the matter;

"Manchester City can confirm that striker Carlos Tevez has been suspended until further notice for a maximum period of two weeks.  The player's suspension is pending a full review into his alleged conduct during Tuesday evening's 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.  The player will not be considered for selection or take part in training whilst the review is under way."

FINISHED: Tevez's career at Manchester City is surely over

     Personally, I can’t see how Tevez can ever play for Manchester City again, no matter who is telling the truth.  However, for someone who is earning at least £200,000 a week; a ridiculous salary for a football player to apparently refuse to play.  I was shocked to hear how the relationship has disintegrated between Tevez and Mancini and City are now in a very tricky position.  No club will surely want to buy a player who doesn’t have the mojo to play for all potential occasions and even a loan move would be tricky, due to his wages.  The club can’t really sack him, as it will cost them the best part of £40million and even for Manchester City; that would be an immense fortune to write off a contract for.  Player power in the game has now gone way over the top and this is a dangerous precedent.  What happens next in this saga is anyone’s guess.     

20 years of the FA Premier League - Part 4

2007/08

PREMIERSHIP title no.10 arrived for Manchester United on the final day of the season and in fitting fashion too.  Ryan Giggs, who had featured and scored in every Premier League campaign, came off the bench to score the second goal in a 2-0 success at Wigan Athletic.  They held off Chelsea’s challenge, as the Blues drew 1-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers.  More agony faced the West Londoners in the Champions League final; beaten by United on penalties in the Moscow showpiece, which led to Avram Grant’s sacking.  Both established frontrunners had sluggish starts to the season.  The Red Devils failed to win any of their first three matches, while Jose Mourinho resigned from Chelsea in mid-September following some dodgy results and more pressure on transfers from the interfering Roman Abramovich.  For a long while, it looked like the youngsters from Arsenal were going to get over the finish line.  Despite losing Thierry Henry in the summer to Barcelona, the Gunners strolled into an advantage as big as seven points at one stage.  However, a horrific double leg fracture for Croatian striker Eduardo seconds into the match with Birmingham City on February 22 totally derailed their challenge.  Arsene Wenger made some poisonous comments about Birmingham centre-back Martin Taylor, who made the accidental challenge on Eduardo and William Gallas furious reaction to a late penalty for the home side didn’t go down well either.  Arsenal fell away in the final two months, and ultimately slipped to third, but only four points behind the champions.  Chelsea kept piling on the pressure, helped by a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 26, but the form of Cristiano Ronaldo was pivotal to Man Utd’s success.  Ronaldo scored a remarkable 42 goals in all competitions, 31 of these in the Premiership.  They kept their noses infront all the way to the final day win at the JJB Stadium.  Liverpool finished fourth, but had a new hero in Fernando Torres to cheer on.  ‘El Nino,’ scored 24 Premiership goals in his debut season.  At the bottom of the league, Derby County became the first side to be relegated at the end of March and ended up with the worst points tally ever.  They won just one game all season; 1-0 at home to Newcastle United in September.  Under Roy Hodgson, Fulham managed the great escape, with four wins in their last five matches.  Danny Murphy headed a dramatic late winner at Portsmouth on the final weekend, with his winner sending both Reading and Birmingham City down to the Championship, despite both relegated clubs winning big on the final day. 

CHAMPIONS: Manchester United, 2^nd: Chelsea 3^rd: Arsenal, 4^th: Liverpool 5^th: Everton, 6^th: Aston Villa, 7^th: Blackburn Rovers, 8^th; Portsmouth, 9^th: Manchester City, 10^th: West Ham United

RELEGATED: Reading, Birmingham City, Derby County

BIGGEST WIN: Middlesbrough 8-1 Manchester City (11 May 2008)

HIGHEST SCORING GAMES: Portsmouth 7-4 Reading (30 September 2007), Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Reading (29 December 2007), Middlesbrough 8-1 Manchester City (11 May 2008)

SCORERS: Ronaldo (Manchester United) 31, Adebayor (Arsenal) 24, Torres (Liverpool) 24, Santa Cruz (Blackburn) 19, Berbatov (Tottenham) 15, Yakubu (Everton) 15, Benjani (Portsmouth & Manchester City) 15, Keane (Tottenham) 15, Tevez (Manchester United) 14, Carew (Aston Villa) 13, Rooney (Manchester United) 12, Defoe (Tottenham & Portsmouth) 12, Gerrard (Liverpool) 11

2008/09

FOR the second time in Premiership history, Manchester United managed to win three successive league titles.  A 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal on the final Saturday of the season was enough to see them over the finishing line.  They were pushed all the way by a much-improved Liverpool side, who recorded their highest ever Premiership points tally on the way to second spot.  Rafa Benitez would lookback on some silly home draws against the likes of Stoke City, Hull City and Fulham which ultimately cost them the title.  Liverpool lost only two games all season (away at Tottenham and Middlesbrough), and held a five point lead at the turn of the year, but a succession of draws in January gave Manchester United the chance to overhaul the lead the Reds had built-up.  Benitez ranted about United’s record of arguing with referees, which made the battle between the two clubs even more personal.  The deciding results were three games in April.  After losing 1-4 at home to Liverpool at Old Trafford, then 2-0 at Fulham the following week, United needed a stoppage time winner from teenager Federico Macheda to beat a fading Aston Villa side 3-2 at the beginning of the month.  A fortnight later, Liverpool dropped points in a pulsating 4-4 draw with Arsenal, in which Andrei Arshavin scored all four goals for the visitors in a stunning individual performance.  Four days later, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez, Manchester United stormed back from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham 5-2 at Old Trafford.  Later results didn’t matter and it was a special title for United, as they equalled Liverpool’s record of 18 league championships.  Chelsea struggled for most of the season and sacked the unpopular Luis Felipe Scolari in February, following a dismal draw at home to Hull City.  Guus Hiddink took temporary charge and improved results helped the men from West London finish third and win the FA Cup.  On transfer deadline day, Manchester City got bought by the Abu Dhabi United group, turning them into one of the richest football clubs in the world.  Although they only finished mid-table this campaign, they showed the flexible wealth by persuading temperamental Robinho to join from Real Madrid in a new British transfer record deal; £32.5million.  It was a terrible season on Tyneside, as Sunderland only just survived, while both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were relegated.  Newcastle’s demise came under four managers, and not even club legend Alan Shearer could save the club from the drop.  Newcastle’s final day relegation meant despite winning only one of their last 17 matches, Hull City survived.  Cue Phil Brown’s horrific singing!  Tottenham sacked Juande Ramos after only managing two points in their first eight games, but Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth to steer the club to eighth, behind Fulham, who managed seventh and their best ever finish in the top flight.    

CHAMPIONS: Manchester United, 2^nd: Liverpool 3^rd: Chelsea, 4^th: Arsenal 5^th: Everton, 6^th: Aston Villa, 7^th: Fulham, 8^th; Tottenham, 9^th: West Ham United, 10^th: Manchester City

RELEGATED: Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, West Brom

BIGGEST WIN: Manchester City 6-0 Portsmouth (21 September 2008)

HIGHEST SCORING GAMES: Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham Hotspur (29 October 2008), Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal (21 April 2009), Manchester United 5-2 Tottenham Hotspur (25 April 2009)

SCORERS: Anelka (Chelsea) 19, Ronaldo (Manchester United) 18, Gerrard (Liverpool) 16, Robinho (Manchester City) 14, Torres (Liverpool) 14, Rooney (Manchester United) 12, Kuyt (Liverpool) 12, Lampard (Chelsea) 12, Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 12, Bent (Tottenham) 12, Davies (Bolton) 12, Van Persie (Arsenal) 11, Carew (Aston Villa) 11, Fuller (Stoke City) 11, Crouch (Portsmouth) 11

2009/10

THE world of football was rocked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s record transfer fee departure from Manchester United to Real Madrid for £80million before the start of the season.  The game also lost the great Sir Bobby Robson, who passed away after a long, brave fight with cancer in July.  Manchester City continued to flex their muscles in the transfer market, bringing in Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, Emmanuel Adebayor and controversially, Carlos Tevez in the summer.  Mark Hughes was sacked in December, after a run of eight successive Premiership draws, a new record.  Roberto Mancini was installed as new boss, but City lost out on a Champions League spot, following a 0-1 loss at home to rivals Tottenham in the final week of the season.  Tottenham finished in the lucrative position ahead of City, Aston Villa and Liverpool, who finished in their worst position in the league since 1999.  Rafa Benitez parted company with the club the following summer.  Once again, Arsenal’s title challenge faded in the closing stages of the season, which included a dramatic collapse away to Wigan Athletic in mid-April.  2-0 up with ten minutes to go at the DW Stadium, the Gunners somehow lost 3-2; a result which kept Wigan in the Premiership.  Burnley, Hull City and Portsmouth were the three clubs who were relegated at the end of the season.  Despite beating Manchester United in their first home Premiership match at Turf Moor, the Clarets lost manager Owen Coyle to Bolton Wanderers in the New Year in acrimonious circumstances.  With it was a loss of form, which saw them, condemned to the drop at the end of April.  It was even worse for Portsmouth, as their financial mess unravelled during the season.  In February, Pompey became the first club in the history of this era to enter administration and hence earn themselves a nine point deduction.  For Avram Grant, it was mission impossible and he went to West Ham United at the end of the season; once the Hammers board decided to crush Gianfranco Zola’s morale and dismiss him.  Another side that impressed in the season were Birmingham City.  Under Alex McLeish, the side went on the longest unbeaten run of the season, which stood at 12 games between late October and the end of January.  The Blues finished a commendable ninth.  At the top of the table, it was Chelsea and Manchester United who once again took the title battle down to the final day of the season.  Carlo Ancelotti’s side were one point clear at the start of play and ultimately didn’t have to worry about matters.  The Blues crushed Wigan 8-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Didier Drogba hitting a hat-trick to secure himself the Golden Boot.  It meant Manchester United had to settle for runners-up spot, despite a 4-0 trouncing of Stoke City at Old Trafford.  For the third time in Premiership history, in Ancelotti’s first season and with over 100 goals too, Chelsea became Premiership champions.  

CHAMPIONS: Chelsea, 2^nd: Manchester United 3^rd: Arsenal, 4^th: Tottenham 5^th: Manchester City, 6^th: Aston Villa, 7^th: Liverpool, 8^th; Everton, 9^th: Birmingham City, 10^th: Blackburn Rovers

RELEGATED: Burnley, Hull City, Portsmouth

BIGGEST WIN: Tottenham Hotspur 9-1 Wigan Athletic (22 November 2009)

HIGHEST SCORING GAMES: Tottenham Hotspur 9-1 Wigan Athletic (22 November 2009), Chelsea 7-2 Sunderland (18 January 2010), Chelsea 8-0 Wigan Athletic (9 May 2010)

SCORERS: Drogba (Chelsea) 29, Rooney (Manchester United) 26, Bent (Sunderland) 24, Tevez (Manchester City) 23, Lampard (Chelsea) 22, Defoe (Tottenham) 18, Torres (Liverpool) 18, Fabregas (Arsenal) 15, Adebayor (Manchester City) 14, Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 13, Saha (Everton) 13, Malouda (Chelsea) 12, Berbatov (Manchester United) 12, Anelka (Chelsea) 11

2010/11

WAYNE Rooney had a largely troubled season, but his 76^th minute penalty on May 14 earnt Manchester United a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers; good enough for United’s 19^th league title, overtaking Liverpool’s long-standing record.  They did it, despite only winning five games away from home all season, with the lowest points tally to win the league since 1997/98.  However, only newly promoted West Brom managed to take a point from Old Trafford all season in the league.  Despite finishing second, Chelsea sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season, after a fairly unconvincing campaign.  For long periods, it was Arsenal who became Manchester United’s closest challengers, but once again, they screwed up dramatically in the run-in.  Wenger’s side were knocked out of three cup competitions in 11 days, threw away a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 at Newcastle in February and only two wins in their last ten league matches saw them drop to fourth and out of the automatic Champions League qualifying spots.  This meant that despite uncertainty about the future of Carlos Tevez, Manchester City stole third place, their best ever Premiership finish.  Tevez ended joint top scorer with Dimitar Berbatov for the season, and to cap things off for Roberto Mancini’s side, they won the FA Cup too.  It was a miserable season for Liverpool, who looked like they were going to be in a relegation battle in mid-season.  Roy Hodgson was sacked after an unhappy six months in the job, Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea on deadline day for a record £50million and unpopular owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks had to sell the club in October despite numerous attempts to stop the process.  Kenny Dalglish returned to the dugout and guided the Reds to sixth place, including memorable late season wins over both Manchester clubs.  He also signed Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, but ultimately, the Reds missed out on Europe for the first time since 2000.  Hodgson eventually turned up at West Brom in February and proved that his management skills still were up to scratch, by easing the Baggies comfortably away from a relegation scrap into a solid 11^th place finish.  Respected Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray were shamed in a sexism row over women in football.  They made off-air sexist comments about West Ham chief executive Karen Brady and female line assistant Sian Massey before the televised Wolves v Liverpool game in January.  Further damming video revelations in the week forthcoming saw Gray sacked and Keys resigning in disgrace.  Also having a disgraceful season were West Ham United, who treated Avram Grant badly all season.  They looked a liability throughout and despite Scott Parker’s heroic efforts, a 3-2 defeat at Wigan Athletic on the penultimate weekend sent the Hammers down.  Grant’s humiliation was complete when he sacked just an hour after the match.  On ‘Survival Sunday,’ five clubs still might end up being relegated.  Blackburn Rovers new Indian owners had made a catastrophic mistake by sacking Sam Allardyce in December, with the club in comfortable mid-table security!  Although they were in the race for the drop, a wonderful first half at Wolves saw them 3-0 up at half-time and secure of any relegation threat.  It put Wolves right in the mire, despite Mick McCarthy’s team winning at Anfield and beating Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United at Molineux during the campaign.  Blackpool had entertained all neutrals throughout the season, with their flowing attack or nothing football.  They did take a surprising 2-1 lead at Manchester United on the last day, but their poor defensive record cost them and a 4-2 loss meant Ian Holloway’s brave Tangerines joined West Ham in relegation misery.  For a long duration of the campaign, Wigan Athletic looked destined for the drop, but put together a strong end to the season which saw them unbeaten in their last five matches.  A Hugo Rodallega header beat Stoke City at the Britannia to keep Roberto Martinez’s side up against the odds.  This left Birmingham City in huge peril.  Although they won the Carling Cup, two wins in their last eleven matches had seen Alex McLeish’s side slip into the relegation battle.  Ultimately, a late Stephen Hunt goal, which pulled Wolves back to a 2-3 defeat against Blackburn, combined with an even later Roman Pavyluchenko strike for Tottenham against Birmingham sent McLeish’s men down and kept Wolves in the league, on the most incredible final day in the league’s history.  However, despite being unconvincing at times, it was Manchester United’s season once again and a fitting way for Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar to bow out of the game, as both retired after the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona at Wembley.

CHAMPIONS: Manchester United, 2^nd: Chelsea 3^rd: Manchester City, 4^th: Arsenal 5^th: Tottenham, 6^th: Liverpool, 7^th: Everton, 8^th; Fulham, 9^th: Aston Villa, 10^th: Sunderland

RELEGATED: Birmingham City, Blackpool, West Ham United

BIGGEST WIN: Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn Rovers (27 November 2010)

HIGHEST SCORING GAMES: Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn Rovers (27 November 2010), Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal (5 February 2011), Everton 5-3 Blackpool (5 February 2011)

SCORERS: Berbatov (Manchester United) 20, Tevez (Manchester City) 20, Van Persie (Arsenal) 18, Bent (Sunderland & Aston Villa) 17, Odemwingie (West Brom) 15, Hernandez (Manchester United) 13, Kuyt (Liverpool) 13, Van der Vaart (Tottenham) 13, Carroll (Newcastle & Liverpool) 13, Malouda (Chelsea) 13, Campbell (Blackpool) 13, Drogba (Chelsea) 12, Dempsey (Fulham) 12

2011/12 (Table & scorers after three matches)

THE 20^th season has begun with the two Manchester clubs looking unstoppable.  Manchester United handed Arsenal their biggest defeat in Premiership history, with an 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford.  Only hours earlier, Manchester City thumped Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane, with Edin Dzeko scoring four goals.  Under Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool spent big to acquire Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing to the club in the summer.  The good times seem to be coming back to Anfield, with two wins in three games, including an impressive success away at Arsenal, with Luis Suarez looking like the natural replacement for Fernando Torres.  Torres’s new club Chelsea have a new gaffer, as Andre Vilas-Boas arrived in the summer.  They have looked unconvincing so far, but have signed youngster Romelu Lukaku and Valencia playmaker Juan Manuel Mata and kept pace with the leading contenders.  Wolves, Stoke City, Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic have all made solid starts too, remaining unbeaten but with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri gone, plus numerous suspensions and injuries, Arsenal are contemplating life in the bottom four.  However, there is plenty of time to go in what is turning out to be a special season already.

1^st: Manchester United, 2^nd: Manchester City 3^rd: Liverpool, 4^th: Chelsea 5^th: Wolves 6^th: Newcastle United, 7^th: Aston Villa, 8^th; Wigan Athletic, 9^th: Stoke City, 10^th: Bolton Wanderers

IN BOTTOM THREE: West Brom, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur

BIGGEST WIN: Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (28 August 2011)

SCORERS: Dzeko (Manchester City) 6, Rooney (Manchester United) 5, Aguero (Manchester City) 3, Young (Manchester United) 3, Klasnic (Bolton) 3, Best (Newcastle) 2, Long (West Brom) 2, Suarez (Liverpool) 2, Silva (Manchester City) 2

FA Cup final 2011 - City end long victory drought

MANCHESTER CITY’s 35 year trophy drought ended yesterday, as they beat Stoke City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.  City’s semi-final hero Yaya Toure scored the only goal in the 74^th minute to break Stoke’s resistance in an intriguing final, though hardly a classic to be remembered.

     Stoke were taking part in their first ever FA Cup final, whilst City last made it this far back in 1981.  Therefore, it was a surprising final for many and unfortunately, the game never lived up to its pre-match billing.  Tony Pulis side were very poor in the first half and thanks to some great goalkeeping from Thomas Sorensen and wasteful City finishing, they held onto a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.  Both Carlos Tevez and man-of-the-match Mario Balotelli were denied by the exploits of Sorensen, who has been Stoke’s FA Cup goalkeeper all season.  The Potters were organised and very resolute, but sadly, not much more.  The best chance of the first half was missed by the off-colour David Silva.  Balotelli’s brilliant movement ten minutes before half-time set the chance up and although the Spanish World Cup winner approached it at an awkward height, he basically missed a sitter by his high standards. 

     At times, the final threatened to get out of hand into a very bitty occasion.  Two poor challenges from Robert Huth in the first half meant the German was very lucky to stay on the pitch by half-time.  Either side of the interval and Jermaine Pennant was the victim of two bruising challenges, which limited his impact.  With Matthew Etherington forced off on the hour mark, having picked up a recurrence of the hamstring injury that he first picked up against Wolves 18 days ago, Stoke’s threat, particularly on the wings was severely limited.  Toure went onto to make the right headlines, but even the Ivorian was lucky to still be on the field by the time he scored the decisive goal.  A very bad challenge on Andy Wilkinson which looked malicious and with some form of intent was the climax of a very scrappy and spicy start to the second half. 

CHANCE: Stoke's golden chance was blown by Kenwyne Jones

     Stoke’s best chance to win the FA Cup final came just before Etherington’s enforced departure.  His beautifully-flighted ball over the top found Kenwyne Jones.  Jones managed to escape the clutches of Joleon Lescott, but Joe Hart stood tall, and made a critical save.  At this point, Roberto Mancini elected to make a bold move.  He sacrificed one of his holding players; Gareth Barry, for the more attack-minded Adam Johnson and the extra aggression in the final third soon paid dividends.  Yet again, Balotelli was in the heart of the move.  His shot, after some clever skill was blocked by Ryan Shawcross and following another minor deflection, the ball fell perfectly to Toure, who produced a cracking drive to break the deadlock.  It was a strike that left Sorensen with absolutely no chance.  Despite sending Shawcross forward as an emergency striker and Sorensen for corners, Stoke’s late bombardment on the City goal ultimately came to nothing.

    The rise of Manchester City continues and it is a fitting tribute to Neil Young.  Young, who scored the winning goal the last time the blue side of Manchester won the FA Cup, in 1969, died in February.  Goalkeeper Hart insisted that Manchester United’s earlier title success at Ewood Park meant nothing to hinder the celebrations; “We don’t care about Man U.  This is about Man City and the players and the fans, we deserved to win.”  Losing manager Pulis accepted the result with good grace.  He told ITV; “We’ve had a great season, but ultimately we dropped off today.  The best side won.” 

ALOFT: Tevez lifts the FA Cup for Manchester City

      The 1976 League Cup was the last time Manchester City lifted a major domestic trophy and on the week when they also won qualification into next season’s Champions League, this will go down as a week to remember for all City fans.  Ultimately, they were the stronger and better outfit throughout and deserved the win.  It was left to Carlos Tevez, only the third overseas captain after Eric Cantona and Patrick Vieira to lift the FA Cup aloft.  Whilst Stoke played their part in a largely forgettable final, it was a Blue Day at Wembley yesterday and anything is possible from here for the rich-spenders.  This could be the start of something big and there is no doubt now, that the whole of the football world must sit-up and take notice. 

FA Cup 5th round review - Orient earn stunning replay

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.

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 118^th 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.

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.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (20th - 22nd November)

THE busy November programme in the Barclays Premiership continued this weekend, with more unpredictable results and drama that makes this league as quite simply – the best in the world.  Here’s the round-up.

Saturday 20^th November: Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

COOL: Bale begins the remarkable comeback at the Emirates

THE 165^th North London derby will be remembered for one of the most dramatic fightbacks in its distinguished history.  Once again, Arsenal threw away a commanding position, losing at home for the third time already this season.  The build-up was dominated by the pure hatred between Samir Nasri and William Gallas.  They didn’t shake hands in the greeting stage and it was Nasri on form from the outset, meeting Cesc Fabregas angled ball and punishing Hereulho Gomes hesitation to put the Gunners infront.  Andrei Arshavin set-up Marouane Chamakh to make it 2-0, and the game looked as good as over.  However, the reintroduction of Jermain Defoe into first-team affairs turned the match on its head.  Gareth Bale began the comeback, finishing calmly from Rafael van der Vaart’s lay-off.  Van der Vaart then made it 2-2 from the penalty spot after Fabregas stupidly handballed in a free-kick wall.  With four minutes to go, van der Vaart’s free-kick was flicked into the net by Younes Kaboul, sealing Spurs first win on Arsenal soil since May 1993 and leaving Arsene Wenger furious at his side’s traditional failings, which are just as frequent as a European banking collapse.

Saturday 20^th November: Birmingham City 1-0 Chelsea

FINISH: Bowyer sends Chelsea crashing to another loss

CHELSEA’s third defeat in four games came at St. Andrews, and it was down to Ben Foster, who produced a goalkeeping masterclass to shut out the champions.  Didier Drogba was denied on no less than four separate occasions by the sensational Foster, who looked unbeatable.  Lee Bowyer scored the only goal of the match, played in by Cameron Jerome as Chelsea’s defence stood like statues.  Birmingham move out of the bottom three, whilst Ancelotti’s out-of-form Blues remain top on goal difference.

Sunday 21^st November: Fulham 1-4 Manchester City

RESPECT: Hughes and Tevez share a hug before the clash

MANCHESTER CITY put in their most convincing performance of the season at Craven Cottage, as Roberto Mancini’s men had far too much for a poor Fulham side.  Carlos Tevez came up trumps again for City, starting the rout with a lovely finish on six minutes.  A blockbuster from Pablo Zabaleta doubled the visitor’s advantage and Fulham’s awful first half was completed when Yaya Toure neatly finished past Mark Schwarzer from Tevez’s creation.  The Argentine scored his second, flicking in Zabaleta’s drilled shot almost unknowingly soon into the second half.  The only consolation for Fulham came from substitute Zoltan Gera, scoring via a massive deflection with twenty minutes remaining.  This will have been a painful defeat for Mark Hughes to take.

Saturday 20^th November: Bolton Wanderers 5-1 Newcastle United

STUNNED: Newcastle were hit for five at the Reebok

BOLTON moved briefly into the top four, after another efficient attacking display netted three points against Newcastle.  A handball by ex-Wanderer Kevin Nolan started the rout, with Kevin Davies stroking the penalty gift home.  South Korean Lee made it 2-0, despite looking offside in the build-up and as Bolton turned on the style, they got better.  Johan Elmander gave Fabricio Coloccini a nightmare, scoring twice, before the defender elbowed Elmander and got a deserved straight red card from Howard Webb.  Andy Carroll did pull one goal back, before Davies scored again from the spot when he tumbled under Jose Enrique’s challenge.  Bolton have now notched an impressive 26 goals in 14 Premiership games.

Saturday 20^th November: Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic

SLIDING: Hernandez is delighted to wrap up another win

WAYNE ROONEY’s return took the headlines, but Manchester United produced another business like performance to batter a Wigan side that looked like eleven players stuffed to the brim with some early Christmas turkeys.  Patrice Evra had United infront, dealing quickly to some fatal hesitation from Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi.  Rooney returned in the second half, coming onto a very mixed reception after his threats to leave the club last month angered many loyal fans.  Wigan didn’t help their cause, as both Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega saw red within three minutes of one another, before Javier Hernandez sealed the victory.

Monday 22^nd November: Sunderland 2-2 Everton

MIKEL Arteta’s dramatic late leveller rescued a point for David Moyes in a thrilling Monday night battle at the Stadium of Light.  Tim Cahill headed Everton infront with a trademark header inside of six minutes, before teen sensation Danny Wellbeck scored twice to hand Sunderland control.  Arteta’s goal, with eight minutes remaining means Sunderland missed the chance to break into the top six.

Saturday 20^th November: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United

HEAT: Avram Grant is feeling the pressure with every game

AVRAM Grant is coming under more scrutiny, as his West Ham side put in a shocking performance and wilted far too easily at Anfield.  In fact, they made Liverpool look like a world class side.  Glen Johnson finished brilliantly, after bringing down the ball on his chest to open the scoring.  Dirk Kuyt dispatched a penalty after Fernando Torres was blocked off by Danny Gabbidon’s arm and Maxi Rodriguez made it 3-0, converting Paul Konchesky’s cross.

Sunday 21^st November: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Aston Villa

FUN: Pedersen continued his recent run of cracking form

ROVERS new Indian owners watched on as their side recorded an impressive win – their third in four matches.  Mortem Gamst Pedersen scored both goals; the first coming two minutes into first half stoppage time with a free-kick that made Brad Friedel look rather stupid.  The second came when Ryan Nelsen’s shot was deflected home by the Norwegian midway through the second half. 

Saturday 20^th November: Blackpool 2-1 Wolves

A STUNNING volley from Luke Varney infront of Prince William portrayed the way for another Blackpool victory.  Marlon Harewood scrambled in a second goal, after Marcus Hahnemann dropped the ball from a dangerous corner.  A late consolation from Kevin Doyle wasn’t enough to prevent Wolves fourth straight defeat.

Saturday 20^th November: West Brom 0-3 Stoke City

64% of POSSESSION meant nothing to West Brom, as Stoke moved upto eighth in the table, after their third straight win.  Jonathan Walters scored twice, once from the penalty spot and Matthew Etherington also netted from twelve yards.  One point in five games leaves WBA in the bottom five.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (13th - 14th November)

MORE twists, more turns than a Formula 1 race circuit, another cracking weekend of Premiership action that needs rounding-up.

Sunday 14^th November: Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland

SUNDERLAND had an incredible afternoon at Stamford Bridge, inflicting a heavy home defeat on Chelsea, their first since February.  The champions started brightly, but then faded as quickly as Daybreak’s hopes of gaining decent TV ratings.  Petr Cech had to make several top saves, before Nedum Onuoha gave the visitors the lead just before half-time with a brilliant individual solo goal.  Asamoah Gyan scored confidently in the second half, finishing off a slick passing move before a dreadful back pass from Ashley Cole gave Danny Wellbeck a gift that he couldn’t miss.  Chelsea looked flat and totally disorganised, as the Black Cats wrapped up a famous win.

Saturday 13^th November: Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 Blackburn Rovers

GARETH Bale’s stock continued to rise, with another two goals in a thriller in North London.  Bale’s header from a Rafael van der Vaart corner caught Blackburn totally unawares and it was 2-0 at half-time when Roman Pavyluchenko headed home, shortly after missing a penalty.  Peter Crouch scored the third after ex-Spurs keeper Paul Robinson saved from Pavyluchenko, only for Gael Givet to give the ball straightaway to the delighted Crouch.  Bale then scored a scuffed effort to make it 4-0.  Despite Spurs fantastic attacking intent, their shaky defending still remains a big question, allowing two late goals from David Dunn and Givet for the visitors, who certainly played their part in this match.

Sunday 14^th November: Everton 1-2 Arsenal

THIS wasn’t a classic, but Arsenal produced some moments of magic to move into second spot in the Premiership table.  Bakery Sagna’s first goal in two and a half years with a shot that flashed past Tim Howard set-up the win, which ended Everton’s seven match unbeaten run.  Cesc Fabregas made it 2-0, with a delicate finish two minutes into the second half.  Everton pressed forward in the closing stages and with 90 seconds to go, the reliable Tim Cahill found the net from Louis Saha’s cross.  Only top class goalkeeping from the under-fire Lukasz Fabianski kept the Gunners infront to the final whistle.

Saturday 13^th November: Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United

IT WAS the late show once again from Manchester United as a last minute header from Nemanja Vidic rescued an undeserved point at Villa Park.  Aston Villa should have had the game well out of sight, missing a host of chances.  James Collins hit the bar and Gabby Agbonlahor struck the post.  When Wes Brown bundled down Ashley Young with 20 minutes remaining, Young scored the resulting penalty.  Marc Albrighton made it 2-0, but super sub Federico Macheda gave United hope, with another late strike against Villa, like in April 2009 at Old Trafford.  Vidic’s contribution was well-timed, but it is difficult to see whether this will be seen as one point gained or two lost for Man U.

Saturday 13^th November: Wolves 2-3 Bolton Wanderers

WOLVES were horrific in the first hour of this game, which meant they got no points again and remain second bottom in the league.  Once again, they conceded in the first minute, this time when Richard Stearman headed past his own goalkeeper under intense pressure from Matt Taylor.  A Swedish stunner from Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden, through an open goal rocketed Bolton into a 3-0 lead in the early moments of the second half.  Kevin Foley and Steven Fletcher made it a nervous finish for Wanderers, but Bolton deserved the points and now sit fifth in the league.

Saturday 13^th November: Stoke City 2-0 Liverpool

THE set-piece prowess of Stoke City saw them overcome Liverpool, who quite frankly played rubbish at the Britannia.  No goals in the first half, but the deadlock was broken shortly after the restart by Ricardo Fuller’s scrappy finish.  A poor pass from Steven Gerrard allowed Kenwyne Jones through to seal it in the dying stages.  Liverpool’s nightmare evening was complete when Lucas lashed out at Matthew Etherington and the Brazilian picked up a deserved second yellow card.  Stoke are now into the top ten after back-to-back victories.

Saturday 13^th November: West Ham United 0-0 Blackpool

THERE may have been 48 shots on goal, but just four on target summed up this match.  Shambolic finishing and good defending allowed the teams to share the points.  Marlon Harewood had a goal disallowed and Charlie Adam almost lobbed Robert Green from the halfway line, as Blackpool endured the lion’s share of the chances at Upton Park.

Saturday 13^th November: Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City

A SECOND goalless game in four days increases the pressure on Roberto Mancini, who surely on borrowed time at Eastlands.  Birmingham came to Manchester well-organised, even though the point they collected does drop them into the bottom three.  City looked very cautious once again and Carlos Tevez being substituted for Gareth Barry summed up this point, as did boos from the home supporters.

Saturday 13^th November: Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Brom

WIGAN provided a dominant performance in a game that would send anyone to sleep.  Victor Moses scored the only goal in the second half to lift Wigan out of the drop zone.  It is now just one point in four games for West Brom.

Saturday 13^th November: Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham

This was another match that provided a distinct lack of goalmouth action at the weekend.  Mark Schwarzer denied new England call-up Andy Carroll twice from point-blank range.  Moussa Dembele went the closest for Fulham, hitting the crossbar from close range.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (16th - 18th October)

AFTER another international breather, the Premiership returned to action.  This weekend’s highlights included another painful defeat for Liverpool, another lead thrown away by Manchester United and more controversy about the very unclear offside ruling.  Basically, a typical weekend then. . .

Sunday 17^th October: Everton 2-0 Liverpool

AFTER a week that seemed more fitting for a storyline in Brookside, Liverpool’s on-field issues continued with another limp display that saw Roy Hodgson’s men crash to a sorry 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby.  With new owner John W. Henry in attendance, he saw first-hand of the issues currently in the Anfield changing room.  Forget restraining orders and injunctions, Liverpool need orders from their defensive line, for two more sloppy goals that they conceded on Sunday.  Ten minutes before the interval, youngster Seamus Coleman ran past a static Paul Konchesky, before crossing for Merseyside derby specialist Tim Cahill to smash an unstoppable shot past Pepe Reina.  Five minutes into the restart, Raul Meireles gave Mikel Arteta too much room to aim a shot from the edge of the penalty area and the result was inevitable.  Everton’s second win in a row lifts them into mid-table, whilst sorry Liverpool slip to second from bottom, their lowest ever position in Premiership history.

Saturday 16^th October: Manchester United 2-2 West Brom

MANCHESTER UNITED continued their recent trend of opening up an early Christmas gift shop, as West Brom stole another result off one of the big teams.  After a pathetic performance for his country in midweek, Wayne Rooney was restricted to a sideline role from the start and United didn’t need him in the first half, as his replacement in the starting eleven, Javier Hernandez and Nani fired the home side into a quick fire 2-0 lead.  However, it all went pear-shaped in the early moments of the second half, when Chris Brunt’s free-kick from a narrow angle took several deflections and came off the unlucky Patrice Evra.  Moments later, Edwin van der Sar made the biggest mistake of his United’s career so far, by allowing a Brunt cross to slip through his hands, despite getting both hands onto the ball.  The unknown Somen Tchoyi couldn’t miss from seven yards out.  Afterwards, the visitors looked more likely to get the winner, on another damaging afternoon for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

Saturday 16^th October: Fulham 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

FULHAM’S unbeaten start to the Premiership season ended in controversial fashion at home to Tottenham.  In a London derby that was always going to throw up thrills and spills, the two teams exchanged goals within 60 seconds of one another, midway through the first half, courtesy of Diomansy Kamara and Roman Pavyluchenko.  The winner on 63 minutes came from Tom Huddlestone, with a long-range drive.  Initially, the linesman disallowed the goal for offside, but referee Martin Atkinson decided that William Gallas wasn’t interfering with play, and allowed the goal to stand.  Television replays suggest an inconclusive call, but Spurs will be pleased with this result, before their testing trip to the San Siro to play Inter Milan tomorrow.

Sunday 17^th October: Blackpool 2-3 Manchester City

MANCHESTER CITY closed the gap to two points on leaders Chelsea, with a lucky victory at Blackpool, who definitely were robbed by a series of decisions by referee Phil Dowd that left Tangerines boss Ian Holloway very perplexed.  A quiet first half gave way to a crazy second forty-five minutes, which began when Carlos Tevez put City infront, with a goal that looked marginally offside.  Super sub Marlon Harewood equalised for the home side, a deserved leveller, as they had the better of the first half play.  Less than two minutes later, Tevez scored his second, again controversial, as it looked like he had fouled Ian Evatt on the edge of the penalty area in the build-up.  Spanish winger David Silva put the game beyond doubt, with a brilliant individual third goal and although Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored a consolation in stoppage time, it didn’t change the final outcome. 

Saturday 16^th October: Arsenal 2-1 Birmingham City

ARSENAL edged past Birmingham City in Arsene Wenger’s 800^th game in charge of the club.  The visitors, who have only won one game all season, took a shock lead when Nikola Zigic headed home a Keith Fahey cross.  Arsenal levelled the match before half-time, when Scott Dann made minor contact with Marouane Chamakh in the penalty area.  Samir Nasri levelled from the spot and Chamakh scored a magnificent solo effort shortly after the second half had begun.  The only black cloud on a good afternoon for the Gunners was the red card of Jack Wiltshire, dismissed for a crazy tackle on Zigic in the closing stages.

Saturday 16^th October: Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

CHELSEA will be pleased to leave Villa Park with a point, on a ground in which they only won once in 12 Premiership attempts.  Nicholas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic both hit the crossbar for the Blues, whilst Nigel Reo-Coker went closest for Villa, missing a great chance when one-on-one with Petr Cech in stoppage time.

Saturday 16^th October: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Stoke City

IN A hard-fought encounter, Bolton’s impressive start to the season continued with victory over Stoke.  Wanderers were infront through Lee Chung-Yong’s brilliant curling effort in the first half.  Stoke pegged the home side back in the second half, when Rory Delap scored his first goal in two years, nodding in Robert Huth’s flick-on from Jermaine Pennant’s corner.  Stoke were also denied a stone-wall penalty, when Zat Knight handled, before substitute Ivan Klasnic scored a magnificent injury time winner, then got sent off for two yellow cards with seconds to go.

Saturday 16^th October: Wolves 1-1 West Ham United

MARK Noble scored from the penalty spot to rescue a draw for West Ham United against fellow strugglers Wolves.  Wolves dominated the first half; infront inside of ten minutes through Ryan Jarvis, but Noble levelled the match when Kevin Foley fouled Victor Obinha.

Saturday 16^th October: Newcastle United 2-2 Wigan Athletic

CHARLES N’Zogbia returned to St. James Park and scored twice in quick succession to put Wigan in command at Newcastle.  Newcastle produced a gallant fightback with goals from Shola Ameobi and a 94^th minute equaliser from Fabricio Coloccini which rescued a point for the home side.

Monday 18^th October: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Sunderland

ON A soggy night at Ewood Park, Blackburn and Sunderland played out a very tame goalless draw.   The only flashpoint of a tedious match was a red card before half-time for Christopher Samba.  The Rovers defender saw red for bringing down Danny Wellbeck when the striker was in on goal.