So who's going to win the Cup? As Pompey proved last season under Harry Redknapp, the FA Cup doesn't always have one of the big Premier League team's names on it. However Arsenal and Chelsea are licking their wounds now that their title hopes have dissapeared after inconsistent league form. At 4/1, Arsenal is not a bad bet. Well it is obvious that the favourites are Manchester United. The Red Devils looked formidable in the first half against Inter last night and its always possible that Fereguson may prioritise the League and the Champions League over the FA Cup but Man U have the strength in their squad potentially to get another treble. Here are the latest odds for the teams still in the FA Cup:
Man Utd - 7/4
Chelsea - 3/1
Arsenal - 4/1
Everton - 5/1
Fulham - 16/1
Middlesboro - 18/1
Not a bad stage to have a flutter before the odds narrow further. To put a bet on, visit Sky Bet by clicking here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Champions League Results 25th February 2009
Inter Milan 0 Manchester United 0
Arsenal 1 Roma 0
Lyon 1 Barcelona 1
Atletico Madrid 2-2 FC Porto
Arsenal 1 Roma 0
Lyon 1 Barcelona 1
Atletico Madrid 2-2 FC Porto
Hull City 1 Tottenham 2
Tottenham Hotspur managed to scrape a victory last night at the KC stadium against fellow Premier League strugglers Hull City. This was my first trip to this ground, first impressions of Hull City was that this club suffers from a similarly poor infrastructure as my club Tottenham; however they're well rewarded with a fantastic 25,000 football stadium. The Hull City fans were great in their support for the Tigers and in the first half Hull had the better periods of possession. Aaron Lennon opened the scoring with a fierce drive from outside the box that seemed to swerve a bit with the power on the shot. This was slightly against the run of play, however minutes later Hull equalised with a goalkeeping blunder from new recruit Carlo Cuddicini who completely didn't need to come for a corner when there were 2 Spurs defenders ready to head away. In the second half, both teams started brightly, Spurs ended the stronger and scored with 10 minutes to go with a decent cross headed home by Jonathan Woodgate. A fortunate but vital 3 points for the lily whites. Come On You Spurs.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Hull City dissapointment with Jimmy Bullard injury
Hull City's record signing Jimmy Bullard is travelling to Denver for a knee cartilage operation, after only playing once since his move from Fulham in January 2009.
Bullard had a scan early February which highlighted the torn cartilage. With the right type of attention, this type of injury can only take a player 3 years to recover from. Bullard's fitness could be key to Hull's season which ultimately is all about Premier League survival. Despite a rocketing start, Hull have dropped to 12th position and are by no means safe with 29 points.
Jimmy Bullard was Hull's latest transfer by boss Phil Brown for £5m after he had decided to not renew his contract at Fulham.
Bullard had a scan early February which highlighted the torn cartilage. With the right type of attention, this type of injury can only take a player 3 years to recover from. Bullard's fitness could be key to Hull's season which ultimately is all about Premier League survival. Despite a rocketing start, Hull have dropped to 12th position and are by no means safe with 29 points.
Jimmy Bullard was Hull's latest transfer by boss Phil Brown for £5m after he had decided to not renew his contract at Fulham.
Monday, February 16, 2009
FA Cup Quarter Final Draw 2009 after Middlesborough knock the Hammers out
After Boro's 2-0 victory against West Ham United with a great free kick from Stuart Downing, this is the updated draw:
FA Cup Quarter Final Draw 2009:
Coventry City v Chelsea
Fulham v Manchester United
Arsenal or Burnley v Sheffield United or Hull City
Everton v Middlesbrough
The FA Cup quarter final matches will be played on the weekend of the 7th and 8th March 2009.
FA Cup Quarter Final Draw 2009:
Coventry City v Chelsea
Fulham v Manchester United
Arsenal or Burnley v Sheffield United or Hull City
Everton v Middlesbrough
The FA Cup quarter final matches will be played on the weekend of the 7th and 8th March 2009.
Arsenal 4 Cardiff 0 FA Cup fifth round February 2009
Eduardo made an emotional return to English football tonight, scoring the opener in Arsenal's 4-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Cardiff at the Emirates stadium.
This was a game that Wenger's Arsenal could not afford to lose, with poor form in the Premier League and an early Carling Cup exit limiting their silverware potential.
Eduardo looked sharp and skillful, a great example to any footballer unlucky enough to suffer such a serious leg injury. He linked up well with the midfield, especially Vela and Nasri with smooth passing movements moving easily around the away team Cardiff City.
Nicholas Bendtner headed a second for the Gunenrs from a corner which was timely after his comments pre-match. The Arsenal striker stated that he thought he should always be first choice, with Arshavin and Eduardo now both standing in the wings. Wenger's eye definitely would have been caught by Eduardo.
Arsenal began the second half just as brightly as they performed in the second half, Cardiff City at stages were ball chasing. Eduardo got his brace to make it 3-0 with a penalty after he was clumsily fouled with a pass coming into his feet. Eduardo was then subsituted for a well earned rest to give Van Persie a run out in what ended up to be a formality for the North London team.
Cardiff were caught in possession for Arsenal's fourth, with Robin Van Persie clinically finishing to complete a great FA Cup peformance for the Gunners. Van Persie went close to making it 5-0 with the last attack of the game with a header that struck the post.
I still reckon that they would struggle against Man Utd though....
This was a game that Wenger's Arsenal could not afford to lose, with poor form in the Premier League and an early Carling Cup exit limiting their silverware potential.
Eduardo looked sharp and skillful, a great example to any footballer unlucky enough to suffer such a serious leg injury. He linked up well with the midfield, especially Vela and Nasri with smooth passing movements moving easily around the away team Cardiff City.
Nicholas Bendtner headed a second for the Gunenrs from a corner which was timely after his comments pre-match. The Arsenal striker stated that he thought he should always be first choice, with Arshavin and Eduardo now both standing in the wings. Wenger's eye definitely would have been caught by Eduardo.
Arsenal began the second half just as brightly as they performed in the second half, Cardiff City at stages were ball chasing. Eduardo got his brace to make it 3-0 with a penalty after he was clumsily fouled with a pass coming into his feet. Eduardo was then subsituted for a well earned rest to give Van Persie a run out in what ended up to be a formality for the North London team.
Cardiff were caught in possession for Arsenal's fourth, with Robin Van Persie clinically finishing to complete a great FA Cup peformance for the Gunners. Van Persie went close to making it 5-0 with the last attack of the game with a header that struck the post.
I still reckon that they would struggle against Man Utd though....
Sunday, February 15, 2009
FA Cup News | Everton and Manchester United progress to the Quarter Final
Everton managed to beat in form Aston Villa at Goodison Park 3-1, with Rodwell, Arteta and Cahill all scoring for theToffees.
Manchester United destroyed Derby County 1-4 in an counter attacking masterpiece - Nani, Gibson, Ronaldo and Welbeck all scoring fantastic goals.
Manchester United destroyed Derby County 1-4 in an counter attacking masterpiece - Nani, Gibson, Ronaldo and Welbeck all scoring fantastic goals.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Spain 2 England 0
European Championship holders gave a great display of total football last night with a 2-0 win against England.
Yes, it was a friendly and England did have key players missing but what was evident was the Spaniard's ability to retain possession and generate continual off-the-ball movement. Between Alonso and Xavi the England midfield were left chasing shadows at times. That said, we maintained our shape and worked hard. The 2 goals that Spain scored were down to defensive errors, with Rio Ferdinand returning to the back four you would hope that we could push teams like Spain in the 2010 World Cup.
Then there was David Beckham. Returning to the England squad from his new club AC Milan, Becks looked fitter and more focused than he has done in years. His passion for Three Lions is a great example for the whole squad and his through ball to Charlton Cole was great quality that 7 times out of 10 would lead to an England goal. This subsitute performance equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 108 caps for England, in my view Beckham has proved to be an England legend that will hopefully prove this at the highest level - World Cup 2010.
England coach Fabio Capello admitted there was a lot to learn from this game, however isn't that what friendlies are for? As an England fan, I am very pleased about our development under Capello and think that this friendly will only assist this progress because it gives us the yardstick that we will need to meet in the next 18 months.
Yes, it was a friendly and England did have key players missing but what was evident was the Spaniard's ability to retain possession and generate continual off-the-ball movement. Between Alonso and Xavi the England midfield were left chasing shadows at times. That said, we maintained our shape and worked hard. The 2 goals that Spain scored were down to defensive errors, with Rio Ferdinand returning to the back four you would hope that we could push teams like Spain in the 2010 World Cup.
Then there was David Beckham. Returning to the England squad from his new club AC Milan, Becks looked fitter and more focused than he has done in years. His passion for Three Lions is a great example for the whole squad and his through ball to Charlton Cole was great quality that 7 times out of 10 would lead to an England goal. This subsitute performance equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 108 caps for England, in my view Beckham has proved to be an England legend that will hopefully prove this at the highest level - World Cup 2010.
England coach Fabio Capello admitted there was a lot to learn from this game, however isn't that what friendlies are for? As an England fan, I am very pleased about our development under Capello and think that this friendly will only assist this progress because it gives us the yardstick that we will need to meet in the next 18 months.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Adams and Scholari Premier League managerial casualties
Tony Adams depature from Fratton Park was announced this morning after 15 games with only 2 league victories. With this type of form, Adams was in a vulnerable position however with limited financial resources is this sacking slightly harsh?
I think most football fans would think that the most surprising and harsh sacking of the season so far has to go to Big Phil Scholari. After a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Hull, Chelsea have moved into fourth position however Scholari has been given seven months to establish his best team which is surely not long enough. Admittedly it looks like Chelsea are out of the Premier League title race but how many managers are there in the world that are better qualified and experienced than Big Phil?
I think most football fans would think that the most surprising and harsh sacking of the season so far has to go to Big Phil Scholari. After a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Hull, Chelsea have moved into fourth position however Scholari has been given seven months to establish his best team which is surely not long enough. Admittedly it looks like Chelsea are out of the Premier League title race but how many managers are there in the world that are better qualified and experienced than Big Phil?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0 Sunday 1st February 2009 CLICK HERE
Euro 2008 star Fernando Torres scored in the 88th and 93rd minute to keep Liverpool's Barclays Premier League hope alive and in doing so potentially ended Chelsea's in a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
This was a well contested match that was poorly refereed, there was no need for multiple bookings and the big turning point at Anfield this Sunday afternoon was Frank Lampard's straight red card which was may be not even a foul. Mike Riley had a nightmare in this game, John Terry argued with some of his decisions after full time was blown for.
Torres took his first goal really well - his second occured purely because Chelsea were caught in possession on the break.
Despit recent criticism on some of his public relations and team choice, Benitez has let his team do the talking on the pitch and this critical victory keeps them in touch with rivals Manchester United.
This was a well contested match that was poorly refereed, there was no need for multiple bookings and the big turning point at Anfield this Sunday afternoon was Frank Lampard's straight red card which was may be not even a foul. Mike Riley had a nightmare in this game, John Terry argued with some of his decisions after full time was blown for.
Torres took his first goal really well - his second occured purely because Chelsea were caught in possession on the break.
Despit recent criticism on some of his public relations and team choice, Benitez has let his team do the talking on the pitch and this critical victory keeps them in touch with rivals Manchester United.
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