FA Cup Round-Up

What a great weekend in the FA Cup, Saturday morning at 12.30 saw League One side Bristol Rovers take on Championship side Southampton who weren’t in the final that long ago. Bristol Rovers were worthy winners of the game as the problems continue for the Saints. The biggest shock of the weekend came up at Anfield where Barnsley knocked out five times European Champions Liverpool. A last minute winner and a absolutely magnificent performance from ex Manchester United goalkeeper Luke Steele saw The Tykes into the Quarter Finals.

West Brom thumped manager less Coventry and thanks to a sublime Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink goal Cardiff City beat fellow Championship side Wolverhampton. Sunday saw Sheffield United and Middlesbrough battle out the only draw of the weekend and Preston narrowly lost to Portsmouth thanks to the superb David James. Huddersfield put a good fight at Chelsea, however Avram Grant’s men were too strong and two goals from Frank Lampard sealed the win.

The tie of the weekend was at Old Trafford where Manchester United walloped Arsenal 4-0 with goals from Rooney, Fletcher and Nani. This year’s FA Cup has been one of the best for years thanks to sides like Havant & Waterlooville, Barnsley, Bristol Rovers and Chasetown. Who would’ve thought that potentially there could be JUST one Premiership side left in the Semi-Finals if the shocks continue in the Quarter Finals?

Game of the Weekend: Liverpool v Barnsley
Team of the Weekend: Barnsley
Player of the weekend: Luke Steele

Quarter Final Draw

Sheffield United or Middlesbrough v Cardiff City

Manchester United v Portsmouth

Bristol Rovers v West Brom

Barnsley v Chelsea

FA Cup Round-Up

Obviously the tie of the round was up at Anfield between Liverpool and Havant & Waterlooville, no one expected the Blue Square Premier minnows to get absolutely anything. In the end Liverpool won by three goals, however TWO times Havant were in front and at half time were level. That is some achievement from a side some one hundred odd places below Liverpool.

Preston’s away thumping of Premier League strugglers Derby County was impressive too, Preston who are struggling in the Championship currently were cruising by three goals at half time and ended the game by winning 4-1. The Sunday shock saw Bryan Robson’s Sheffield United side defeated a flying Man City team 2-1 with a freak goal caused by balloons thrown in by Manchester City supporters.

No other big shocks in round four that saw the big four go through along with other Premiership sides Middlesbrough and Portsmouth. However the fifth round draw would also have Cardiff, Bristol Rovers, Coventry, Huddersfield, West Brom, Southampton and Wolverhampton in it.

Game of the weekend: Liverpool 5 – 2 Havant & Waterlooville
Team of the weekend: Havant & Waterlooville
Player of the weekend: Richard Parquette

The fifth round draw is as follows:

Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolves
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Brom
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town

The ties are scheduled to take place on 16 and 17 February.

The tie which sticks out is obviously Arsenal’s trip to Old Trafford to face the reigning Champions Manchester United. At least 3 non Premiership sides will be in the next round also, and teams like Sheffield United and Preston will be looking to cause more FA Cup shocks.