Monday, February 18, 2008

FA Cup Sixth Round Draw

Full draw for FA Cup quarter-finals:

Sheffield United or Middlesbrough v Cardiff City

Manchester United v Portsmouth

Bristol Rovers v West Brom

Barnsley v Chelsea

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League One side Bristol Rovers will join four Championship teams in the hat when the FA Cup quarter-final draw is made at 1325 GMT, Today.

Barnsley, who stunned Liverpool in the fifth round, Cardiff and West Brom will also discover their next opponents.

Manchester United, Portsmouth and holders Chelsea are the only top-flight clubs through, while Middlesbrough face a replay with Sheffield United.

DRAW NUMBERS

1 Bristol Rovers
2 Cardiff City
3 Sheffield United or Middlesbrough
4 Barnsley
5 Manchester United
6 Portsmouth
7 West Bromwich Albion
8 Chelsea

Matches will be played on the weekend of 8 and 9 March.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough 02/17/2008

Saturdays Actions

Sheff Utd 0-0 Middlesbrough

Sheffield United and Middlesbrough will meet again on Tuesday week as their FA Cup fifth-round tie ended goalless.

Highlights



Blades striker James Beattie hit the post in first-half stoppage time from a free-kick, but the home side failed to turn their dominance into goals.

Boro came back into it in the second period and Mido's overhead kick was brilliantly saved by Paddy Kenny.

Emmanuel Pogatetz could have won it late on for the visitors but his header was cleared off the line.

New Blades boss Kevin Blackwell, who replaced Bryan Robson last week, received a standing ovation from the Bramall Lane crowd before kick-off as the home side went in search of a hat-trick of Premier League scalps in this year's competition.

Middlesbrough were aiming to reach a third successive FA Cup quarter-final and started with Mido, who has been out for the last three weeks, alongside Jeremie Aliadiere in attack with record signing Afonso Alves on the bench.

It was a typical cup tie right from kick-off with both sides fully committed and the game played at a frenetic pace.

The visitors struggled to settle and Matt Kilgallon's smartly struck shot was well saved by Mark Schwarzer.

Billy Sharp failed to connect with Derek Geary's cross and Jonathan Stead sent his downward header just wide as the home side continued to press, while at the other end efforts from Stewart Downing and Aliadiere were easily saved by Kenny.

As the half drew to a close, David Wheater was lucky to escape with just a booking after dragging back Sharp when the striker raced through and in stoppage time Beattie struck the post from a well-rehearsed set-play.

Beattie and Michael Tonge pretended to run into each as they shaped to hit the free-kick, but the former Southampton and Everton striker saw his curling shot crash against the post.

The visitors came to life in the second period, but only after Stead had tested Schwarzer from outside the box.

Mido was denied by Kenny when he tipped the Egyptian's acrobatic overhead kick over the bar and from the resulting corner Wheater's powerful header was turned over by the Blades goalkeeper

Downing then flashed a brilliantly struck volley wide from Mido's pinpoint pass and Fabio Rochemback also went close with an effort from outside the box as Boro took control.

Just like their hosts in the first period, the visitors failed to take their chances and Blades substitute Chris Armstrong flashed the ball over the bar after another well-worked free-kick.

United had appeals for a penalty turned down late on as George Boateng struck the ball against his own arm, but referee Chris Foy waved away the protests.

And with two minutes remaining Pogatetz could have snatched it for Boro but his header was cleared off the line.
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Team News

Sheffield United midfielder Gary Speed (groin) is a major doubt and Chris Armstrong, Lee Hendrie or David Carney could replace him.

Ugo Ehiogu (hamstring) is in a race to be fit to face his ex-club but strikers Jon Stead and Rob Hulse may return.

Middlesbrough's Afonso Alves is set to make his FA Cup debut, while fellow striker Mido is in the squad.

Striker Tuncay Sanli is lacking match fitness, with Chris Riggott (hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (knee) again out.

About the Match

Kevin Blackwell takes charge of Sheffield United for this fifth round tie, as the Blades look to complete a hat-trick of Premier League scalps in this FA Cup campaign.

Bryan Robson's departure from Bramall Lane means he misses the chance to face the club he left just over seven years ago.

Middlesbrough have never won the FA Cup, but face a club who've lifted the trophy on four occasions.

This is one of three Championship against Premier League ties in the fifth round.

The League ladder

Middlesbrough are 24 places higher than Sheffield United in the league standings.

Head to Head Details

All competitions

These clubs met in the Premier League last season, when both fixtures were won by the side playing at home, but Middlesbrough have not won at Bramall Lane for 21 years, since a 0-2 victory in the old Second Division on 7 November 1987. Drawn one and lost four of the five subsequent visits.

FA Cup

These clubs have only been drawn against each other once previously; the Blades winning a home second round replay 3-0 in 1923 on their way to the semi-finals.

Preston Vs Portsmouth 02/17/2008

Preston 0-1 Portsmouth

Darren Carter's late own goal ensured Portsmouth undeservedly progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

First Half Highlights




Portsmouth had David James to thank for their lucky escape as the goalkeeper saved a second-half penalty from the impressive Simon Whaley.

Second Half Highlights



Neil Mellor's curling 25-yard effort would have given the home side the lead had it not been for James.

And in the dying seconds Carter tried to clear a corner but struck into the back of his own net instead.
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Team News

Preston will miss defender Sean St Ledger through suspension and Youl Mawene will come in as replacement.

Recent signing Neal Trotman is cup-tied, while the club will check on the fitness of midfielder Lewis Neal ahead of the game.

Portsmouth centre-back Sylvain Distin (hamstring) is back along with right-back Glen Johnson.

Jermain Defoe is cup-tied and David Nugent is still out so Milan Baros and Kanu are likely to start in attack.

About the Match

Preston are aiming to complete back-to-back FA Cup victories over Premier League clubs, having easily ousted Derby three weeks ago.

Portsmouth are looking to complete a hat-trick of FA Cup victories over Championship opposition, having dismissed Ipswich and Plymouth in the last two rounds.

Pompey have not been knocked out by lower ranked opposition since they were a second level club and Leyton Orient of the fourth tier dismissed them in the third round in 2002.

This is one of three Premier League against Championship ties in the fifth round.

The League ladder

Portsmouth are 33 places higher than Preston in the league standings.

Head to Head Details

All competitions

Preston have only lost one of their last seven meetings with Portsmouth, and have won four of the last six, all at second league level.

FA Cup

This is the fourth time these clubs have been drawn against each other. Portsmouth won the first two meetings before World War II; North End won the most recent 1-3, away in the fourth round in 1948.