Wembley stage takes the shine off of semi-final excitement...
Last weekend the Premiership took the back seat once again as the FA Cup reconvened for what was (for the most part) the quarter-finals. The remaining teams harboured serious thoughts on laying claim to the famous trophy, facing just two matches from a place in the final and a chance to emulate Portsmouth's achievement last year.
Irrespectively the underdogs should have approached their ties this way, but unfortunately for those searching for upsets, the quarter-finals bore witness to the favourites firmly grasping their mantles. The competition may yet spring a surprise, but for this season there will be no teams from outside the Premiership to rock the status quo.
On Saturday the top two of the Premiership both faced what were potentially tricky away fixtures, at least on paper. Firstly Chelsea travelled to the Ricoh Arena to take on Coventry City in what was the first ever sell-out for the stadium since it opened in 2005. Chris Coleman's team had been impressive in the manner in which they knocked out Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round, but this time the proposition was a little more daunting.
Chelsea found the perfect way to settle any pre-match nerves when they went ahead after only fifteen minutes; Didier Drogba gave more evidence that he is not the spent force that we were all led to believe he'd become. A long punt up field was headed on by a Coventry defender and it looked for a moment like Scott Daan would cope with controlling the ball. Instead he allowed the more aware Drogba to nip in, gently nudge him off and race away towards the goal. The defence almost got back to the goal line but the Ivorian's shot was too powerful and accurate to stop Chelsea leading 1-0.
Coventry responded and showed willing to attack and probe Chelsea, but they were never able to create any clear chances and were always wary of the visitors threat on the counter-attack. It was such a counter-attack that proved to be their final undoing with eighteen minutes to go. A long throw in towards Chelsea's penalty area was eventually bundled away and the ball was released to Quaresma who surged up the right flank. His well judged low early cross found Alex galloping in support and he fired the ball past Kieran Westwood, for a final score of 2-0.
Meanwhile in West London, Fulham hosted the current darlings of the media Manchester United. As with the Chelsea game this match was adjudged to be a real test for Ferguson's men and a possible cause for an upset. Fulham have been very impressive at home this season and have improved greatly under the experience of Roy Hodgson, only twice had they lost at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Fulham they were to face similar problems to Coventry, playing with plenty of endeavour but being unable to find a really clear chance to score. The home team did so nearly take an early lead though, Andy Johnson tried to control a Simon Davies long ball, and in doing so he toe-poked it beyond the advancing Edwin van der Sar. Luckily for Utd the ball lacked real pace and Vidic was able to recover and hoist the ball away from the goal line.
Fulham were soon made to pay when a Utd corner found Wayne Rooney, his lofted header dropped towards the far post and Carlos Tevez was the quickest to react, nodding it in from barely a yard- much to Paul Konchesky's annoyance. On the thirty minute mark Rooney really should have doubled the lead, but his low connection from six yards grazed the post and went out-Rooney was now annoyed!
The miss did not matter though as five minutes later Tevez produced a wonderful individual goal. Receiving the ball just inside Fulham's half, he ploughed forwards to the edge of the penalty area and cut inside onto his right foot, he then smashed an inside-out shot past Schwarzer. The goal prompted applause from Ferguson but it remains to be seen if the Argentinian 'Tasmanian devil' will be at Old Trafford next season.
Fulham did continue to create half-chances and show glimpses of why they are comfortably mid-table in the Premiership, but none were forthcoming and their resolve was soon to be broken. In the fiftieth minute, after sustained pressure, Rooney atoned for his earlier miss and wormed a precise low curling shot into the far corner to make it 3-0. The game was clearly over and Fulham's spirit was broken. Zoltan Gera's sloppy pass was intercepted by Ji-Sung Park with nine minutes remaining, and with a fleeting movement he took towards goal and finished with similar aplomb to Rooney, final score 4-0.
Sunday's match between Everton and Middlesbrough at Goodison Park was certainly one of those 'game's of two halves'. David Moyes still doesn't get enough credit for the sterling work he has done in the blue half of Merseyside over the last seven years, but to further his reputation a trophy is needed for the cabinet. The home team were certainly favourites against Gareth Southgate's side, who have at times taken boredom to a new level this season.
Surprisingly it was Middlebrough who showed more intent in the first half, and Everton were far from their usual dynamic selves- possibly still pining after injured play-maker Arteta. On the stroke of half-time the visitors won a set piece which eventually led to Matthew Bates putting an inviting cross into Everton's six yard area. It found David Wheater who promptly headed past Tim Howard, making him look like a poor circus act juggler in the process.
Moyes made it known after the match that he had 'rollicked' his team at half-time, whatever he said had the desired effect and Everton came out with their usual desire and work rate for the second period. On fifty minutes Everton were level, Marouane Fellaini added to his growing popularity at Goodison by connecting with a Tim Cahill cross and heading past a stranded Brad Jones.
Jones had to be questioned for his decision making in the build up, he moved forward to claim the ball with little conviction and was left looking amateurish. Only six minutes later things became worse for Southgate's men. Half-time substitute Louis Saha had already had a couple of opportunities when Pienaar collected a cross on the left flank and re-directed it back into the Middlesbrough six yard area, Saha couldn't miss and he nodded it past Jones who looked bewildered.
From that point Middlesbrough resembled relegation candidates and they were spared when Leighton Baines' free kick hit the crossbar. Moyes will be very pleased to have taken Everton to their first FA Cup semi-final since they won it in 1995, but he was less enamoured with the game being played at Wembley Stadium.
Commenting on it Moyes said, "I don't think anyone likes it. Wembley should only be used for the final." I have to say I agree with him, the FA may be doing it to help alleviate their debts on the stadium build, but by doing so it does diminish the glamour and spectacle of the final itself. With any luck the FA may put future semis back to other neutral grounds as it was previously.
Finally mention of Arsenal's success at home against Championship Burnley. Previous difficulties in completing the fourth round meant that Sunday's game was Arsenal's fifth round tie as they continued to catch-up. Thankfully there was no repeat of their Carling Cup exit to the same opponents earlier this season, this time Arsenal were on cruise control and reinforced my inkling for our chances this year.
Arsenal were largely dominant throughout and took the lead after twenty-five minutes. Carlos Vela again demonstrated why he is held with such high regard and promise when he raced onto an Arshavin through ball and poked it around a Burnley defender. Left with a one on one with Brian Jensen, he calmly and coolly dinked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Five minutes into the second half and the home team were as good as safe after scoring a goal of high quality. Alex Song chipped a ball across Burnley's defence for the onrushing Eduardo and he hit an outrageous volley back across the goalkeeper with the outside of his ankle. For the second time in a month the pocket Croatian had scored on his return from injury, but this time with a goal of sublime technique.
Burnley huffed and puffed but on this occasion they were to be no match for the gunners and a third and final goal was added with six minutes to go. Song was again involved as his back-heel on the edge of the area found Eboue galloping forward, he hit a first time shot that flew low into Burnley's goal and earned himself more redemption from the boo-boys of a month ago. All in all it was a very good day for Arsenal as they also welcomed a cameo return to action from Theo Walcott.
A home quarter-final looms against a diminished Hull, and there is every confidence of Wenger's team earning a semi-final versus Chelsea. That would leave a tantalising line up in the last four of the 'Cup that should at least be worthy for the upcoming Wembley visits...
Irrespectively the underdogs should have approached their ties this way, but unfortunately for those searching for upsets, the quarter-finals bore witness to the favourites firmly grasping their mantles. The competition may yet spring a surprise, but for this season there will be no teams from outside the Premiership to rock the status quo.
On Saturday the top two of the Premiership both faced what were potentially tricky away fixtures, at least on paper. Firstly Chelsea travelled to the Ricoh Arena to take on Coventry City in what was the first ever sell-out for the stadium since it opened in 2005. Chris Coleman's team had been impressive in the manner in which they knocked out Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round, but this time the proposition was a little more daunting.
Chelsea found the perfect way to settle any pre-match nerves when they went ahead after only fifteen minutes; Didier Drogba gave more evidence that he is not the spent force that we were all led to believe he'd become. A long punt up field was headed on by a Coventry defender and it looked for a moment like Scott Daan would cope with controlling the ball. Instead he allowed the more aware Drogba to nip in, gently nudge him off and race away towards the goal. The defence almost got back to the goal line but the Ivorian's shot was too powerful and accurate to stop Chelsea leading 1-0.
Coventry responded and showed willing to attack and probe Chelsea, but they were never able to create any clear chances and were always wary of the visitors threat on the counter-attack. It was such a counter-attack that proved to be their final undoing with eighteen minutes to go. A long throw in towards Chelsea's penalty area was eventually bundled away and the ball was released to Quaresma who surged up the right flank. His well judged low early cross found Alex galloping in support and he fired the ball past Kieran Westwood, for a final score of 2-0.
Meanwhile in West London, Fulham hosted the current darlings of the media Manchester United. As with the Chelsea game this match was adjudged to be a real test for Ferguson's men and a possible cause for an upset. Fulham have been very impressive at home this season and have improved greatly under the experience of Roy Hodgson, only twice had they lost at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Fulham they were to face similar problems to Coventry, playing with plenty of endeavour but being unable to find a really clear chance to score. The home team did so nearly take an early lead though, Andy Johnson tried to control a Simon Davies long ball, and in doing so he toe-poked it beyond the advancing Edwin van der Sar. Luckily for Utd the ball lacked real pace and Vidic was able to recover and hoist the ball away from the goal line.
Fulham were soon made to pay when a Utd corner found Wayne Rooney, his lofted header dropped towards the far post and Carlos Tevez was the quickest to react, nodding it in from barely a yard- much to Paul Konchesky's annoyance. On the thirty minute mark Rooney really should have doubled the lead, but his low connection from six yards grazed the post and went out-Rooney was now annoyed!
The miss did not matter though as five minutes later Tevez produced a wonderful individual goal. Receiving the ball just inside Fulham's half, he ploughed forwards to the edge of the penalty area and cut inside onto his right foot, he then smashed an inside-out shot past Schwarzer. The goal prompted applause from Ferguson but it remains to be seen if the Argentinian 'Tasmanian devil' will be at Old Trafford next season.
Fulham did continue to create half-chances and show glimpses of why they are comfortably mid-table in the Premiership, but none were forthcoming and their resolve was soon to be broken. In the fiftieth minute, after sustained pressure, Rooney atoned for his earlier miss and wormed a precise low curling shot into the far corner to make it 3-0. The game was clearly over and Fulham's spirit was broken. Zoltan Gera's sloppy pass was intercepted by Ji-Sung Park with nine minutes remaining, and with a fleeting movement he took towards goal and finished with similar aplomb to Rooney, final score 4-0.
Sunday's match between Everton and Middlesbrough at Goodison Park was certainly one of those 'game's of two halves'. David Moyes still doesn't get enough credit for the sterling work he has done in the blue half of Merseyside over the last seven years, but to further his reputation a trophy is needed for the cabinet. The home team were certainly favourites against Gareth Southgate's side, who have at times taken boredom to a new level this season.
Surprisingly it was Middlebrough who showed more intent in the first half, and Everton were far from their usual dynamic selves- possibly still pining after injured play-maker Arteta. On the stroke of half-time the visitors won a set piece which eventually led to Matthew Bates putting an inviting cross into Everton's six yard area. It found David Wheater who promptly headed past Tim Howard, making him look like a poor circus act juggler in the process.
Moyes made it known after the match that he had 'rollicked' his team at half-time, whatever he said had the desired effect and Everton came out with their usual desire and work rate for the second period. On fifty minutes Everton were level, Marouane Fellaini added to his growing popularity at Goodison by connecting with a Tim Cahill cross and heading past a stranded Brad Jones.
Jones had to be questioned for his decision making in the build up, he moved forward to claim the ball with little conviction and was left looking amateurish. Only six minutes later things became worse for Southgate's men. Half-time substitute Louis Saha had already had a couple of opportunities when Pienaar collected a cross on the left flank and re-directed it back into the Middlesbrough six yard area, Saha couldn't miss and he nodded it past Jones who looked bewildered.
From that point Middlesbrough resembled relegation candidates and they were spared when Leighton Baines' free kick hit the crossbar. Moyes will be very pleased to have taken Everton to their first FA Cup semi-final since they won it in 1995, but he was less enamoured with the game being played at Wembley Stadium.
Commenting on it Moyes said, "I don't think anyone likes it. Wembley should only be used for the final." I have to say I agree with him, the FA may be doing it to help alleviate their debts on the stadium build, but by doing so it does diminish the glamour and spectacle of the final itself. With any luck the FA may put future semis back to other neutral grounds as it was previously.
Finally mention of Arsenal's success at home against Championship Burnley. Previous difficulties in completing the fourth round meant that Sunday's game was Arsenal's fifth round tie as they continued to catch-up. Thankfully there was no repeat of their Carling Cup exit to the same opponents earlier this season, this time Arsenal were on cruise control and reinforced my inkling for our chances this year.
Arsenal were largely dominant throughout and took the lead after twenty-five minutes. Carlos Vela again demonstrated why he is held with such high regard and promise when he raced onto an Arshavin through ball and poked it around a Burnley defender. Left with a one on one with Brian Jensen, he calmly and coolly dinked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Five minutes into the second half and the home team were as good as safe after scoring a goal of high quality. Alex Song chipped a ball across Burnley's defence for the onrushing Eduardo and he hit an outrageous volley back across the goalkeeper with the outside of his ankle. For the second time in a month the pocket Croatian had scored on his return from injury, but this time with a goal of sublime technique.
Burnley huffed and puffed but on this occasion they were to be no match for the gunners and a third and final goal was added with six minutes to go. Song was again involved as his back-heel on the edge of the area found Eboue galloping forward, he hit a first time shot that flew low into Burnley's goal and earned himself more redemption from the boo-boys of a month ago. All in all it was a very good day for Arsenal as they also welcomed a cameo return to action from Theo Walcott.
A home quarter-final looms against a diminished Hull, and there is every confidence of Wenger's team earning a semi-final versus Chelsea. That would leave a tantalising line up in the last four of the 'Cup that should at least be worthy for the upcoming Wembley visits...
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