Romance of the FA Cup

[The Coon Dog]

Unvelievable!

Barnsley's giant killing FA Cup run continued overnight as they defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Oakwell to reach the semi finals. Kayode Odejayi's goal for Barnsley was the only goal of the match.

Earlier Manchester United were beaten 1-0 at home by Portsmouth. Injured goal keeper Edwin Van Der saar was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak who was then shown a straight red card for his foul in the box on Milan Baros. Rio Ferdinand then took the gloves but was unable to save Sulley Muntari's spot kick.

What odds would you have got for Chelsea & Man U to both be knocked out?

Tonight Middlesbrough host Cardiff City & Bristol Rovers are at home to West Brom.

[The Underdog]

Who would have believed that Portsmouth and Middlesborough would be the only 2 premier league teams left at this point of the comp? And Middlesborough are no monty's against Cardiff tonight either.
Although the quality of the players may be less, I'll be glad to watch an FA Cup that doesn't contain one of the big 4. It'd be great to see Barnsley win the trophy, they've certainly earned a chance and they're only 2 wins away.

[ledge]

Goooooo Pompey, we loves ya Harry!

[The Coon Dog]

The romance continued overnight with Middlesbrough being turned over by Cardiff City 2-0.

West Brom thrashed Bristol Rovers 5-1 to secure the last remaining semi final spot.

Interestingly, the FA have decided to play both semi finals at Wembley. Strange move that.

The 4 remaining teams are:

Portsmouth
Barnsley
Cardiff City
West Brom

[The Underdog]

My money's on West Brom. This is the reason you have to love the FA Cup. One middling premier league team and 3 championship teams including a team close to the relegation zone who've beaten Liverpool and Chelsea in their last 2 rounds. Brilliant.

[The Coon Dog]

I'd love to see Barnsley win it now, tho I wouldn't mind Cardiff City either & I like Harry too wouldn't mind if Pompey won either.

[GVGjr]

The romance continued overnight with Middlesbrough being turned over by Cardiff City 2-0.

West Brom thrashed Bristol Rovers 5-1 to secure the last remaining semi final spot.

Interestingly, the FA have decided to play both semi finals at Wembley. Strange move that.

The 4 remaining teams are:

Portsmouth
Barnsley
Cardiff City
West Brom


This is seriously a great thing for the non serious EPL follower. Normally its very much getting into the same old at this time of the cup and this is refreshing.
I see WBA on the TV from time to time and they look like they can generally post a score.

[ledge]

I can see Harry now, out on the town with the Pompey boys shouting them an ale at the local and really working on that big red nose of his! Then getting pissed and blasting them for being out on the juice.
Must say though he must be a very popular manager with the players as they tend to try theyre hearts out for him.

[The Coon Dog]

The semi final draw was made overnight:

Barnsley v Cardiff

West Brom v Portsmouth

Both games will be played at Wembley on the first weekend of April.

[Chops]

Don't care who is playing just as long the final is not as boring as that of recent years.
Its great to see 4 underdogs there.

[westdog54]

Takes me back to Roy Essandoh's goal for Wycombe Wanderers in the quarter final a few years ago.

I wonder the odds you would have been given on a Portsmouth v Barnsley/Cardiff final?

[The Coon Dog]

First of the semi's has been played. It finished:

West Brom 0 - Portsmouth 1

Pompey into the FA Cup Final. Who'd a thunk it?

[westdog54]

First of the semi's has been played. It finished:

West Brom 0 - Portsmouth 1

Pompey into the FA Cup Final. Who'd a thunk it?

Ahh, you've gotta love the FA Cup.

[ledge]

I love Pompey, go Harry,go Harry!

[The Coon Dog]

The 2nd Semi Final was played overnight.

It finished:

Barnsley 0 - Cardiff City 1

So, the FA Cup Final throws up a Welsh team, interesting to see how UEFA handle it, should Cardiff win or Pompey qualify for Europe through the Premier League.

The Welsh FA have said they won't nominate Cardiff City as it hasn't won a 'Welsh' Cup & the English FA won't nominate them as they are not an English team. Headaches for Msr. Platini methinks!

[westdog54]

The 2nd Semi Final was played overnight.

It finished:

Barnsley 0 - Cardiff City 1

So, the FA Cup Final throws up a Welsh team, interesting to see how UEFA handle it, should Cardiff win or Pompey qualify for Europe through the Premier League.

The Welsh FA have said they won't nominate Cardiff City as it hasn't won a 'Welsh' Cup & the English FA won't nominate them as they are not an English team. Headaches for Msr. Platini methinks!

Does UEFA have any sort of discretion here or does it rely solely on who the nation in question nominates?

[The Coon Dog]

Does UEFA have any sort of discretion here or does it rely solely on who the nation in question nominates?

Clear as mud.

See: http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/04/07/SOCCER_Cardiff_UEFA.html&TEAMHD=soccer

[Chops]

Hear the last 2 times Portsmouth won the FA Cup, World Wars broke out. Go Cardiff!

[ledge]

Ernie, you leave Pompey alone!
Our manager is so close to being an aussie lol

[westdog54]

Clear as mud.

See: http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/04/07/SOCCER_Cardiff_UEFA.html&TEAMHD=soccer

So if Cardiff City happen to roll Pompey, they're still a chance of playing in Europe, whether by the FA's hand or by UEFA's.

If they were to win and not play in Europe it would be an injustice. It would also mean 12 months of endless Welsh bragging rights.