Wow - two incredible stories in the big matches in England. My heart was thumping at what felt like 200 beats per minute at the end of the match at the Emirates, and I don't even support either of the teams. But first, a sensational result in today's second FA Cup semi:
Bolton 0-5 Stoke
Stoke ripped up the formbook with this win, a result I daresay you could have got 100/1 against before the start of play. Etherington and Huth put the Potters two up within the first twenty minutes leaving favourites Bolton rocked. One more goal before the break from Kenwyne Jones gave Tony Pulis' men a comfortable halftime lead, before a Jon Walters brace emphatically secured Stoke's place in the final.
They will meet yesterday's victors Manchester City, ensuring that the winner will be the first piece of silverware for either team in three decades: Manchester City's last trophy was the 1976 League Cup, while Stoke's was the same title four years before that.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
After 95 minutes, this match was typical of Arsenal's recent form: much possession, but precious little to show for it. Just as the Gunners were preparing to wave goodbye to any chance of a trophy this season, however, Liverpool's otherwise-excellent Jay Spearing blotted his copybook by tripping Cesc Fabregas in the penalty box. Robin van Persie sparked delirious scenes at the Emirates by coolly converting the resulting spotkick, and Arsenal looked, after an hour and a half of fruitless toil, to have secured three priceless points.
Following a lengthy period of treatment for Jamie Carragher earlier in the second half, however, still three minutes of additional time remained, and, extraordinarily, Liverpool struck back. A mindless shove in the area by Emmanuel Eboue gave Dirk Kuyt the chance to level the match, again from the spot, in the 112th minute. He converted with aplomb, blasting his penalty past the flying Wojciech Szczesny (incidentally, my favourite name in professional football, with the possible exception of Dudley 'DJ' Campbell).
The end of the match was marked by a spat by a disgusted Arsene Wenger and a jubilant Kenny Dalglish; Wenger could not argue the award of the penalty (although may have a case that the game should not have continued as long after the end of the eight minutes of added time signalled).
The managers' exchange of words merely added a final twist to a quite remarkable seven minutes in North London.
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Football round-up, Saturday 16th April
FA Cup semi final:
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
This match, which saw City deservedly triumph over their neighbours thanks to a second-half goal from Yaya Toure, will be talked about for years to come in the blue half of Manchester. Their long wait for a trophy did not end this evening, of course, but it will probably feel like it. United, who had Paul Scholes rightly sent off, have been denied the chance of a famous treble, and will be smarting after this result. I predicted a United win, and I was surprised by the attitude shown by City, who bossed most of the game. Then again, even Mario Balotelli could get psyched up for a semi final against his team’s greatest rival.
Premier League:
Birmingham 2-0 Sunderland
Blackpool 1-3 Wigan
Everton 2-0 Blackburn
WBA 1-3 Chelsea
West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa
The closest relegation battle I can remember got even more intriguing this afternoon, with wins for Wigan and Birmingham ensuring that each leapfrogged today’s opponents, Blackpool and Sunderland respectively. Chelsea secured a morale-boosting win in breaking Roy Hodgson’s unbeaten run as West Brom manager. Blackpool will perhaps worry the most tonight. Most fans will have seen today’s fixture, at home to the bottom club, as the best opportunity to chalk up a vital three points. West Ham failed to maximise the Tangerines’ pain though, with the Hammers failed to cling on for a draw against Villa (a result I thought they would secure when I previewed the weekend’s football). Everton beat Blackburn in the day’s other fixture, and Rovers now occupy 16th place, just three points ahead of bottom-placed Wolves – who have a game in hand. If Sunderland’s dire form continues, even they might not be safe.
Championship (selected):
Burnley 2-1 Swansea
Cardiff 3-0 Portsmouth
Crystal Palace 1-2 Scunthorpe
Preston 3-1 Sheffield United
Reading 3-1 Leicester
The bottom of the Championship may not be quite as exciting as the Premier League, but in recent weeks Preston North End – and to a lesser extent Scunthorpe – have spiced up the final few games. Scunthorpe’s win at Crystal Palace, who narrowly avoided relegation last season) means that both teams are heavily embroiled in the scrap to avoid the drop, with Preston just a point behind Scunny. North End have taken fourteen points from their last seven games, a record that would put them TOP had it been replicated since the start of the season. Their win over Sheffield United has all but condemned the Blades to playing League One football next year.
At the other end of the table, Reading, who have not lost in the league since 12th February, beat Leicester to record their eighth consecutive victory, propelling them ahead of Swansea, who slumped to a loss at Turf Moor against Burnley, despite taking a second half lead. The Swans’ south Wales rivals Cardiff regained the second automatic promotion place from Norwich, who beat Nottingham Forest last night. The Bluebirds now need just one point to guarantee a play-off place, but they will not want to enter that lottery, particularly after last year’s heart-breaking loss at Wembley to Blackpool. QPR, who did not play today, need just five points to secure promotion, and six to ensure their promotion.
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
This match, which saw City deservedly triumph over their neighbours thanks to a second-half goal from Yaya Toure, will be talked about for years to come in the blue half of Manchester. Their long wait for a trophy did not end this evening, of course, but it will probably feel like it. United, who had Paul Scholes rightly sent off, have been denied the chance of a famous treble, and will be smarting after this result. I predicted a United win, and I was surprised by the attitude shown by City, who bossed most of the game. Then again, even Mario Balotelli could get psyched up for a semi final against his team’s greatest rival.
Premier League:
Birmingham 2-0 Sunderland
Blackpool 1-3 Wigan
Everton 2-0 Blackburn
WBA 1-3 Chelsea
West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa
The closest relegation battle I can remember got even more intriguing this afternoon, with wins for Wigan and Birmingham ensuring that each leapfrogged today’s opponents, Blackpool and Sunderland respectively. Chelsea secured a morale-boosting win in breaking Roy Hodgson’s unbeaten run as West Brom manager. Blackpool will perhaps worry the most tonight. Most fans will have seen today’s fixture, at home to the bottom club, as the best opportunity to chalk up a vital three points. West Ham failed to maximise the Tangerines’ pain though, with the Hammers failed to cling on for a draw against Villa (a result I thought they would secure when I previewed the weekend’s football). Everton beat Blackburn in the day’s other fixture, and Rovers now occupy 16th place, just three points ahead of bottom-placed Wolves – who have a game in hand. If Sunderland’s dire form continues, even they might not be safe.
Championship (selected):
Burnley 2-1 Swansea
Cardiff 3-0 Portsmouth
Crystal Palace 1-2 Scunthorpe
Preston 3-1 Sheffield United
Reading 3-1 Leicester
The bottom of the Championship may not be quite as exciting as the Premier League, but in recent weeks Preston North End – and to a lesser extent Scunthorpe – have spiced up the final few games. Scunthorpe’s win at Crystal Palace, who narrowly avoided relegation last season) means that both teams are heavily embroiled in the scrap to avoid the drop, with Preston just a point behind Scunny. North End have taken fourteen points from their last seven games, a record that would put them TOP had it been replicated since the start of the season. Their win over Sheffield United has all but condemned the Blades to playing League One football next year.
At the other end of the table, Reading, who have not lost in the league since 12th February, beat Leicester to record their eighth consecutive victory, propelling them ahead of Swansea, who slumped to a loss at Turf Moor against Burnley, despite taking a second half lead. The Swans’ south Wales rivals Cardiff regained the second automatic promotion place from Norwich, who beat Nottingham Forest last night. The Bluebirds now need just one point to guarantee a play-off place, but they will not want to enter that lottery, particularly after last year’s heart-breaking loss at Wembley to Blackpool. QPR, who did not play today, need just five points to secure promotion, and six to ensure their promotion.
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