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Thursday, January 17, 2008
Man City 1-0 West Ham 16/01/2008
Elano's header 18 minutes from time sank West Ham and handed Manchester City a FA Cup fourth round trip to Sheffield United.
The Brazilian dived into the six-yard box after Rolando Bianchi headed Martin Petrov's cross against an upright.
Dean Ashton missed West Ham's best chance after 30 minutes when he volleyed Luis Boa Morte's cross against City keeper Joe Hart.
Boa Morte was also denied by Hart as City held on to clinch the win.
The first-half was a desperately poor affair, with little or nothing to excite an Eastlands crowd that was well below capacity.
West Ham's Ashton wasted their best first-half chance, but City keeper Hart blocked his close-range effort after Boa Morte created the opening.
City suffered a blow two minutes later when on-loan Mexican Nery Castillo fell awkwardly under a challenge from Lucas Neill and was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder.
Hart got the better of Ashton again in first-half injury time, halting the striker as he tried to take advantage of Richard Dunne's error. The loose ball fell to Boa Morte, but he blasted wildly off target.
West Ham started the second half brightly, and Boa Morte was guilty of selfish play after 52 minutes, choosing to shoot straight at Hart with Freddie Ljungberg waiting unmarked only six yards out with the goal at his mercy.
City carved out their first opportunity after 56 minutes, courtesy of a superb Petrov cross that substitute Bianchi could not turn in at the far post.
Petrov was City's outstanding performer, and it was no surprise that he was instrumental when they went ahead with 18 minutes left.
He delivered a superb far post cross that was diverted against an upright by Bianchi, and Elano dived bravely into the six-yard box to head home the rebound.
West Ham almost restored equality with eight minutes left when Lee Bowyer lifted the ball over the onrushing Hart, but Micah Richards made a superb covering header to deny Ashton.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Reading v Tottenham, FA cup, 15/01/2008
Match Report
Tottenham made it through to the FA Cup fourth round with a greater degree of comfort than the scoreline suggested.
Robbie Keane won the tie on 15 minutes when he thumped in a rebound after Younes Kaboul headed against the bar.
Jermain Defoe came close to adding a second but his fierce, low volley was superbly palmed away by Adam Federici.
After the break Reading's Stephen Hunt lashed a volley against the bar, while Steed Malbranque's vicious volley was tipped on to the bar by Federici.
From the start, Tottenham were more confident in possession and more threatening with it, particularly from the unlikely source of Kaboul, who caused Reading problems in the air from set-plays.
It was his headed flick-on that gave Defoe a chance to open the scoring but the striker could only nod over the bar.
But when Kaboul again rose above the Reading defence from Jermaine Jenas' corner, it proved decisive as the ball was pushed against the bar by Federici only for Keane to smash in the rebound.
Apart from the pace offered by Leroy Lita, Reading appeared unable to make any impact on the Spurs defence.
And in midfield, too, they were second-best as Jenas dictated the pattern of the match.
Yet for all their superiority, Spurs created little in the way of clear opportunities to put the tie beyond Reading's reach.
Then five minutes before half-time Defoe could hardly have hit his right-footed volley better but Federici threw himself to his left to make an excellent stop.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Spurs having the better of things and Reading struggling to raise their game.
When the hosts did threaten, Nicky Shorey could only muster a weak shot from the edge of the box that rolled harmlessly wide.
Urgency, penetration and desire were all lacking from Reading's play as Spurs easily held at them at arm's length like an older brother might nonchalantly frustrate a younger sibling.
Even so Tottenham were showing little attacking ambition of their own.
And after 14 goals in the last two meetings between the sides, the match was proving a bit of a let-down.
Inside the final five minutes, Reading finally stirred and they were within inches of an equaliser when Hunt cracked an edge-of-the-box volley against the bar.
Almost immediately afterwards Simon Cox directed a free header straight at Radek Cerny.
Tottenham were denied a second goal when Federici produced an incredible stop to divert Malbranque's ferocious volley onto the bar.
In the end, one moment of incisiveness was all that Tottenham needed to progress, where they meet will Manchester United in the next round.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Tottenham and Reading served up another thriller at White Hart Lane in the original tie. Dimitar Berbatov scored both for Spurs in the 2-2 draw. His goals came between a brace from Stephen Hunt, capitalising on mistakes from Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.
This is one of two all Premier League replays in the third round.
One of these clubs will join Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Wigan in the fourth round, and earn that plum trip to Old Trafford.
In the The League
Tottenham are one place above Reading in the Premier League table in 12th spot.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
This will be their third meeting in 17 days. A total of 14 goals were scored in the two previous meetings, six of them by Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov.
FA Cup
Reading are hoping to make it a hat-trick of FA Cup victories over Tottenham, having won the last two meetings in 1913, as a Southern League club, and in 1929. The Royals kept clean sheets in both matches, which were contested on Reading turf.
Tottenham made it through to the FA Cup fourth round with a greater degree of comfort than the scoreline suggested.
Robbie Keane won the tie on 15 minutes when he thumped in a rebound after Younes Kaboul headed against the bar.
Jermain Defoe came close to adding a second but his fierce, low volley was superbly palmed away by Adam Federici.
After the break Reading's Stephen Hunt lashed a volley against the bar, while Steed Malbranque's vicious volley was tipped on to the bar by Federici.
From the start, Tottenham were more confident in possession and more threatening with it, particularly from the unlikely source of Kaboul, who caused Reading problems in the air from set-plays.
It was his headed flick-on that gave Defoe a chance to open the scoring but the striker could only nod over the bar.
But when Kaboul again rose above the Reading defence from Jermaine Jenas' corner, it proved decisive as the ball was pushed against the bar by Federici only for Keane to smash in the rebound.
Apart from the pace offered by Leroy Lita, Reading appeared unable to make any impact on the Spurs defence.
And in midfield, too, they were second-best as Jenas dictated the pattern of the match.
Yet for all their superiority, Spurs created little in the way of clear opportunities to put the tie beyond Reading's reach.
Then five minutes before half-time Defoe could hardly have hit his right-footed volley better but Federici threw himself to his left to make an excellent stop.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Spurs having the better of things and Reading struggling to raise their game.
When the hosts did threaten, Nicky Shorey could only muster a weak shot from the edge of the box that rolled harmlessly wide.
Urgency, penetration and desire were all lacking from Reading's play as Spurs easily held at them at arm's length like an older brother might nonchalantly frustrate a younger sibling.
Even so Tottenham were showing little attacking ambition of their own.
And after 14 goals in the last two meetings between the sides, the match was proving a bit of a let-down.
Inside the final five minutes, Reading finally stirred and they were within inches of an equaliser when Hunt cracked an edge-of-the-box volley against the bar.
Almost immediately afterwards Simon Cox directed a free header straight at Radek Cerny.
Tottenham were denied a second goal when Federici produced an incredible stop to divert Malbranque's ferocious volley onto the bar.
In the end, one moment of incisiveness was all that Tottenham needed to progress, where they meet will Manchester United in the next round.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Tottenham and Reading served up another thriller at White Hart Lane in the original tie. Dimitar Berbatov scored both for Spurs in the 2-2 draw. His goals came between a brace from Stephen Hunt, capitalising on mistakes from Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.
This is one of two all Premier League replays in the third round.
One of these clubs will join Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Wigan in the fourth round, and earn that plum trip to Old Trafford.
In the The League
Tottenham are one place above Reading in the Premier League table in 12th spot.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
This will be their third meeting in 17 days. A total of 14 goals were scored in the two previous meetings, six of them by Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov.
FA Cup
Reading are hoping to make it a hat-trick of FA Cup victories over Tottenham, having won the last two meetings in 1913, as a Southern League club, and in 1929. The Royals kept clean sheets in both matches, which were contested on Reading turf.
Liverpool v Luton, FA Cup, 15/01/2008
Match Report
Steven Gerrard's hat-trick sank Luton and lifted the spirits of embattled Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
Ryan Babel's powerful finish broke the deadlock in first-half injury time, with Gerrard heading home from close range after 51 minutes.
Sami Hyypia turned in Gerrard's corner six minutes later before the captain slid in his second from 14 yards.
Gerrard's third came via a swerving shot to seal an FA Cup fourth round tie with Swansea or Havant & Waterlooville.
Both sides formed a guard of honour before kick-off as Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher celebrated his 500th appearance for the club.
The Kop also cheered Benitez after revelations that American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had held secret talks with Jurgen Klinsmann to line him up as a potential successor to the Spaniard.
Luton fans were in good heart after administrator Brendan Guilfoyle revealed a deal has been agreed with a consortium, fronted by television presenter Nick Owen, to buy the club.
Liverpool, fielding a strong side including Gerrard and Torres, exerted total domination in the first 45 minutes.
But Luton, marshalled by former Anfield veteran Don Hutchison, defended heroically, putting their bodies on the line for a succession of brave blocks.
Peter Crouch should have done better than direct a fifth-minute header wide, and Babel curled a fine right-foot effort against an upright three minutes later.
Babel also had a shot deflected wide before he broke Luton's brave resistance in first-half injury time.
Gerrard's flick released Torres, and he set up the unmarked Babel for a drilled finish into the bottom corner past Dean Brill.
And Liverpool were home and dry after 51 minutes as Luton's lack of height at the back was ruthlessly exposed.
Jermaine Pennant's cross found Crouch at the far post and he knocked the ball into the path of the onrushing Gerrard, who headed beyond Brill.
Liverpool added a third six minutes later when Hyypia headed in Gerrard's near post corner, via a deflection from Matthew Spring.
Gerrard added his second after 64 minutes, steering home a precise finish from 14 yards after Torres' shot had been partially cleared into his path.
And a swerving long-range drive deceived Brill to complete Gerrard's hat-trick after 71 minutes, leaving the captain to depart to a standing ovation from Anfield.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
An own goal from Liverpool's John Arne Riise helped much-troubled Luton secure this money-spinning replay at Anfield, after Peter Crouch had put the Reds ahead.
This is one of two League One against Premier League replays in the third round.
Liverpool are keen to add to the six Premier League clubs who definitely know they in round four; Luton would like to join Huddersfield, Oldham and Southend, as League One representatives in the last 32.
In The League
Liverpool are 62 places higher than Luton in the league standings.
The Merseysiders are chasing a Champions League spot in the Premier League's top four; the Hatters are fighting against relegation from League One, having been deducted 10 points for going into financial administration.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
Luton's only victory in their last nine meetings with Liverpool was a 3-1 top-flight triumph on 23 February 1991 at Kenilworth Road.
FA Cup
The Hatters have been drawn with Liverpool four times previously in the competition, and have only knocked them out once; it took three games to complete the task with a 3-0 victory in the third round on 28 January 1987 with goals from Brian Stein, Mick Harford (penalty) and Mike Newell.
Steven Gerrard's hat-trick sank Luton and lifted the spirits of embattled Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
Ryan Babel's powerful finish broke the deadlock in first-half injury time, with Gerrard heading home from close range after 51 minutes.
Sami Hyypia turned in Gerrard's corner six minutes later before the captain slid in his second from 14 yards.
Gerrard's third came via a swerving shot to seal an FA Cup fourth round tie with Swansea or Havant & Waterlooville.
Both sides formed a guard of honour before kick-off as Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher celebrated his 500th appearance for the club.
The Kop also cheered Benitez after revelations that American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had held secret talks with Jurgen Klinsmann to line him up as a potential successor to the Spaniard.
Luton fans were in good heart after administrator Brendan Guilfoyle revealed a deal has been agreed with a consortium, fronted by television presenter Nick Owen, to buy the club.
Liverpool, fielding a strong side including Gerrard and Torres, exerted total domination in the first 45 minutes.
But Luton, marshalled by former Anfield veteran Don Hutchison, defended heroically, putting their bodies on the line for a succession of brave blocks.
Peter Crouch should have done better than direct a fifth-minute header wide, and Babel curled a fine right-foot effort against an upright three minutes later.
Babel also had a shot deflected wide before he broke Luton's brave resistance in first-half injury time.
Gerrard's flick released Torres, and he set up the unmarked Babel for a drilled finish into the bottom corner past Dean Brill.
And Liverpool were home and dry after 51 minutes as Luton's lack of height at the back was ruthlessly exposed.
Jermaine Pennant's cross found Crouch at the far post and he knocked the ball into the path of the onrushing Gerrard, who headed beyond Brill.
Liverpool added a third six minutes later when Hyypia headed in Gerrard's near post corner, via a deflection from Matthew Spring.
Gerrard added his second after 64 minutes, steering home a precise finish from 14 yards after Torres' shot had been partially cleared into his path.
And a swerving long-range drive deceived Brill to complete Gerrard's hat-trick after 71 minutes, leaving the captain to depart to a standing ovation from Anfield.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
An own goal from Liverpool's John Arne Riise helped much-troubled Luton secure this money-spinning replay at Anfield, after Peter Crouch had put the Reds ahead.
This is one of two League One against Premier League replays in the third round.
Liverpool are keen to add to the six Premier League clubs who definitely know they in round four; Luton would like to join Huddersfield, Oldham and Southend, as League One representatives in the last 32.
In The League
Liverpool are 62 places higher than Luton in the league standings.
The Merseysiders are chasing a Champions League spot in the Premier League's top four; the Hatters are fighting against relegation from League One, having been deducted 10 points for going into financial administration.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
Luton's only victory in their last nine meetings with Liverpool was a 3-1 top-flight triumph on 23 February 1991 at Kenilworth Road.
FA Cup
The Hatters have been drawn with Liverpool four times previously in the competition, and have only knocked them out once; it took three games to complete the task with a 3-0 victory in the third round on 28 January 1987 with goals from Brian Stein, Mick Harford (penalty) and Mike Newell.
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