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Park that car
Drop that phone
Sleep on the floor
Dream about me -
Re: League and FA cups.
Man Utd beat Watford 1-0. We go through to the 4th round."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
All-time upset stuns, PL strugglers crash out as Arsenal need ET to get job done: FA Cup Wrap
January 10, 2021 9:28am
AFP
FOX SPORTS
FA Cup holders Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-0 on as non-league Chorley knocked out coronavirus-ravaged Derby, West Brom suffered an embarrassing third-round exit against Blackpool, and Manchester United defeated Watford.
Arsenal, 14-time FA Cup winners, continued their recent revival with a fourth straight win in all competitions.
Magpies captain Jamaal Lascelles made his first appearance in six weeks after being hit hard by the coronavirus as both sides made multiple changes.
Andy Carroll had a golden chance to win a disappointing match in the dying seconds of normal time but his shot was well saved by Bernd Leno as the game went to extra-time.
Instead it was Emile Smith Rowe — who earlier had a red card overturned after a VAR check — who broke the deadlock, drilling the ball home in the 109th minute.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made the game safe with a late tap-in.
DERBY STUNNED
Earlier, Derby fielded a clutch of youngsters after their first-team squad and interim manager Wayne Rooney were ruled out following a virus outbreak at the Championship club.
Chorley, from the sixth-tier National League North, took advantage of Derby’s weakened line-up to reach the fourth round for the first time with a 2-0 win.
In freezing conditions, with snow cleared off the pitch before kick-off, Chorley took the lead after 10 minutes when Derby failed to clear a long throw and Connor Hall nodded over the line.
Chorley’s modest Victory Park ground is so homely that one fan was able to watch over their back garden fence, while two others used a cherry picker crane to get a glimpse of the action.
Those enterprising fans saw Chorley’s Mike Calveley seal their side’s memorable success when he poked home from close range in the 84th minute.
The cup upset was a welcome boost for Chorley manager Jamie Vermiglio, whose job as a primary school headteacher has been thrown into chaos by the coronavirus lockdown in Britain.
“It’s a very proud moment for us. Credit to our boys, they’ve been on a journey and we said it before the game, the journey can continue today and it has done,” Vermiglio said.
UNITED MOVE PAST WATFORD
Scott McTominay celebrated captaining Manchester United for The first time by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 FA Cup third-round victory against Watford on Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made nine changes to his team, who could go top of the Premier League on Tuesday, when they take on Burnley.
The home side started strongly at an empty Old Trafford, with Daniel James impressive on the left side of the attack, and were rewarded when McTominay gave them the lead in the fifth minute.
The Scotland international, who recently scored two early goals against Leeds, headed downwards from an Alex Telles corner and the ball went in off the post.
United were largely in control and Juan Mata saw an effort saved following a fluent team move and sumptuous flick by Donny van de Beek.
But McTominay’s header proved the only goal of a first half in which Watford threatened intermittently. Adam Masina’s effort was blocked by a mixture of United goalkeeper Dean Henderson and Axel Tuanzebe.
The opening period ended with United defender Eric Bailly being replaced by Harry Maguire after he was clattered by team-mate Henderson.
Solskjaer threw on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial midway through the second half but United were forced to settle for a 1-0 win.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Premier League struggler West Brom were victims of an upset at Bloomfield Road as third-tier Blackpool won 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
After 21 winless games, Sheffield United finally earned a victory as Jayden Bogle’s strike clinched a 3-2 success against third-tier Bristol Rovers.
Leicester rested Jamie Vardy and James Maddison at second-tier Stoke but still won 4-0 as James Justin, Marc Albrighton, Ayoze Perez and Harvey Barnes all netted.
Everton needed extra time to see off second-tier Rotherham 2-1 at Goodison Park while top-flight strugglers Fulham prevailed 2-0 after extra-time in their west London derby at QPR.
Burnley edged past third-tier Milton Keynes Dons on penalties after Matej Vydra’s stoppage-time equaliser for the Clarets rescued a 1-1 draw."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
Leeds humiliated by fourth-division minnow as Spurs cruise against park football side
January 11, 2021 6:52am
AFP
AFP
Leeds suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit against Crawley as the League Two side swept to a stunning 3-0 win, while eighth tier Marine’s hopes of causing the competition’s greatest shock were crushed in a 5-0 defeat against Tottenham.
After the spiking coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc with matches across the third round on Friday and Saturday, the FA Cup was back on more familiar ground on Sunday as Leeds became the competition’s latest big name to be knocked out by a feisty underdog.
While Marine’s romantic adventure was cut short by Carlos Vinicius’s hat-trick and Chelsea and Manchester City progressed to the fourth round with ease, Crawley’s unexpected success encapsulated the FA Cup’s unique charm at a time when football is badly in need of some positive news.
Numerous clubs have been hit by Covid-19 problems as the new variant sweeps across Britain, forcing Aston Villa and Derby to field teams of youth players for third round defeats against Liverpool and non-league Chorley respectively.
Despite calls for the English season to be halted, the FA Cup goes on for now and Crawley relished their chance to steal the spotlight.
Leeds sit 12th in the Premier League after a fine first season back in the top-flight, but boss Marcelo Bielsa paid the price for making seven changes at The People’s Pension Stadium in leafy Sussex.
On a fairytale day for Crawley, it was fitting that Nick Tsaroulla should open the scoring with his first career goal in the 51st minute.
Ashley Nadesan’s low shot crept under Kiko Casilla to double Crawley’s lead two minutes later and Jordan Tunnicliffe wrapped up the victory after 70 minutes.
“These players have got a lot to prove to the clubs who have released them and we’ve showed what we can do against a really good side,” Crawley boss John Yems said.
Rubbing salt into Leeds’ wounds, Crawley handed a debut to former reality television star Mark Wright as a late substitute.
How much Bielsa knew about Wright is in doubt, but he insisted he wasn’t surprised by Crawley’s display.
“It’s not a question of surprise. We knew the characteristics of their players. We had the ball for a long period of time but we couldn’t do much with it,” Bielsa said.
Marine, of the Northern Premier League Division One North West, were trying to bridge the biggest gap — 161 places — between opponents in FA Cup history.
Marine’s squad is comprised of teachers, NHS staff, bin men and factory workers, with their tiny stadium in the Merseyside town of Crosby providing a surreal setting for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s stars.
Appropriately for a match against a team named after a local pub, virus restrictions meant Tottenham had to change in a stadium function room with a bar.
Marine’s ground is lined on one side by houses, so a few lucky locals were able to watch for free as Neil Kengni almost gave Marine the lead when his 30-yard drive cannoned off the bar.
Tottenham, without Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, took control in the 24th minute when Vinicius finished off Dele Alli’s pass.
Vinicius, on loan from Benfica, was on target again after 30 minutes. Lucas Moura struck with a fine free-kick in the 32nd minute and Vinicius completed his treble five minutes later Alfie Devine enjoyed a debut to remember when the substitute fired home in the 60th minute, making him Tottenham’s youngest ever scorer at 16 years and 163 days.
“The boys were professionals and didn’t stop until the game was over. The attitude means a lot for me and also for the competition and to Marine’s guys, because they felt we played seriously,” Mourinho said.
Chelsea, FA Cup runners-up last season, thrashed League Two team Morecambe 4-0. Mason Mount marked his 22nd birthday with a 25-yard strike and, after 12 games without a goal, Timo Werner finally got on the scoresheet in the 44th minute.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz netted in the second half. Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 win against second tier Birmingham at the Etihad Stadium, with two goals from Bernardo Silva and one from Phil Foden."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
The fourth and fifth rounds are due to take place 22-25 January and 9-11 February respectively.
2020/21 FA Cup Fourth Round
Cheltenham Town vs Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Crawley Town
Swansea City vs Nottingham Forest
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Southampton or Shrewsbury vs Arsenal
Barnsley vs Norwich
Chorley vs Wolves
Millwall vs Bristol City
Brighton vs Blackpool
Wycombe Wanderers vs Tottenham
Fulham vs Burnley
Sheffield United vs Plymouth Argyle
Chelsea vs Luton Town
West Ham vs Doncaster Rovers
Brentford vs Leicester
Everton vs Sheffield Wednesday
2020/21 FA Cup Fifth Round:
Fulham or Burnley vs Bournemouth or Crawley Town
Manchester United or Liverpool vs West Ham or Doncaster Rovers
Sheffield United or Plymouth vs Milwall or Bristol City
Chorley or Wolves vs Southampton/Shrewsbury or Arsenal
Barnsley or Norwich vs Chelsea or Luton
Everton or Sheffield Wednesday vs Wycombe or Tottenham
Swansea or Nottingham Forest vs Cheltenham or Manchester City
Brentford or Leicester vs Brighton or Blackpool"Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
Wolves through to the fifth round after an absolutely pitiful 1-0 win over Chorley. We deserved nothing from this game and if not for a wonderful strike by Vitinha and some good saves by Ruddy, would have got it. We were so very bad.
Can’t see that we give Saints or Arsenal any trouble next round. We’re in a really bad place right now.Park that car
Drop that phone
Sleep on the floor
Dream about meComment
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Re: League and FA cups.
The thing about the FA cup though is that's how we went (fell) into the 4th round last year. We were badly out of form and only just got past Bournemouth, Portsmouth and noone in their right mind would have had us beating Sheffield United in the quarter final let alone Man City or Chelsea to actually win the comp. But somehow we did. It's the best team in the day that wins the FA cup.They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
Man City survive huge FA Cup scare, Arsenal crash out
John WEAVER
24 January 2021, 4:11 am
Manchester City were given a huge FA Cup scare by fourth-tier Cheltenham before a late blitz gave them a 3-1 win on Saturday after Southampton dumped holders Arsenal out of the competition.
Six-time winners City were minutes away from exiting at the fourth-round stage before goals from Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres broke the hearts of the brave League Two side.
City boss Pep Guardiola made 10 changes for the trip to the southwest of England but his side was still packed with internationals.
The home team -- 72 places below City in the football pyramid -- produced a stirring defensive display but also sporadically threatened at the other end of the pitch.
Jesus hit the post shortly after the restart as City upped the tempo following a goalless first half but it was the home team who broke the deadlock.
The visitors failed to deal with the outstanding Ben Tozer's long throw and Alfie May fired in from close range just before the hour mark.
Guardiola threw on Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo in a desperate bid to find a way back into the game and was rewarded in the 81st minute when Foden volleyed in Cancelo's cross.
Three minutes later Jesus made amends for his earlier miss and Torres made it 3-1 with the final kick of the game, turning in Gundogan's low cross.
"We came here with humility and had the quality to make the difference," said Guardiola.
"They used their quality in the box, they are taller and better than us there and we showed clips on how to solve it. It is difficult to control that."
The Catalan had warm words for Foden, who is the club's top-scorer in all competitions this season.
"Phil Foden is in a great moment and with great confidence," he added. "He is clinical in front of goal."
Cheltenham boss Michael Duff said he was "super proud" of his players, bemoaning the fact the match had to be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's a shame because (with fans) the place would've been bouncing," he said. "Would that have seen us through in the last 10 minutes? I'm not so sure -- but the key is to enjoy it."
- Arsenal out -
Earlier, Arsenal, who have won the competition a record 14 times, went down 1-0 at Southampton courtesy of a Gabriel own goal.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made seven changes from his team's 3-0 league win against Newcastle on Monday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Emile Smith Rowe both absent.
Southampton, FA Cup winners in 1976, earned a well-deserved lead in the 24th minute when Kyle Walker-Peters' ball across the six-yard area was inadvertently turned in by Gabriel.
The visitors went close to an equaliser through Eddie Nketiah's deflected shot but were forced to leave empty-handed.
"We had a dream to do it again like last year (win the FA Cup) and the dream today is over," said Arteta.
"I am as well disappointed with the way we conceded the goal in an area where we know we shouldn't be doing that. At the same time I cannot fault the effort of the players."
West Ham, who will face either Manchester or Liverpool in the next round, crushed third-tier Doncaster 4-0 despite multiple changes from manager David Moyes while fellow Premier League sides Brighton and Sheffield United also progressed.
Pablo Fornals gave impressive West Ham an early lead at home to Doncaster as they dominated the League One side from the kick-off.
Andriy Yarmolenko doubled the lead before a second-half own goal from Andy Butler and a late strike from debutant Oladapo Afolayan.
Goals from Yves Bissouma and Steven Alzate were enough to seal a 2-1 win for Brighton against League One Blackpool.
Chris Basham and Billy Sharp scored for Premier League strugglers Sheffield United against League One opponents Plymouth.
Elsewhere, Swansea thumped fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest 5-1, while Bristol City beat Millwall 3-0. Barnsley beat Championship leaders Norwich 1-0.
On Sunday, Premier League leaders Manchester United face Liverpool in the tie of the round, while Chelsea host Luton."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
Klopp thought Liverpool’s season had already hit its low point... he was wrong: FA Cup Wrap
Bruno Fernandes’s stunning free-kick inflicted more misery on Liverpool as Manchester United progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a thrilling 3-2 win at Old Tafford on Sunday.
Both sides struggled to create chances in a cagey 0-0 draw when they met in the Premier League last weekend.
But there was no repeat of that caution in a wide-open contest that ended Liverpool’s hopes of a first domestic cup win under Jurgen Klopp for another season.
The English champions lost a league game at Anfield for the first time in nearly four years to Burnley on Thursday to fall six points behind United at the top of the table.
“We lost that (Burnley) game and it was a really low point,” said Klopp after the loss. “It happened and sometimes you need a really low point to change things properly and that’s for sure (what) we will go for now.”
In response, Klopp named a strong side despite making five changes as Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino returned.
Liverpool’s only goals in their previous five games came against an Aston Villa youth team in the last round of the FA Cup after Dean Smith’s side were struck down by a coronavirus outbreak.
But shades of the side that stormed to a first league title in 30 years last season were restored even if Klopp’s wait for a first win at Old Trafford goes on.
Firmino and Salah combined perfectly for the opener on 18 minutes as the Brazilian’s pass opened up the United defence and the Egyptian provided a dinked finish over Dean Henderson.
United have made a habit of coming from behind to win this season and took just eight minutes to hit back.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Fernandes a rare rest from the start, but still picked a side packed with firepower featuring Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba.
Rashford’s raking cross-field pass just evaded James Milner and Greenwood did not look like a striker lacking confidence as he fired past Alisson Becker for his first goal in 11 games.
A number of injuries to centre-backs have disrupted Liverpool’s season with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez expected to miss the rest of the season, while Joel Matip has struggled to stay fit.
Klopp has been forced to field two midfielders in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho together at the heart of the defence in recent weeks and the performance of 19-year-old Rhys Williams showed why the German has been reluctant to rely on his young centre-backs.
Williams failed to cut out Greenwood’s through ball for Rashford three minutes into the second half and the England international composed himself before slotting past the advancing Alisson.
This time, United’s momentum was short-lived as Milner should have levelled for Liverpool when he spooned a glorious chance over from close range, but quickly made amends by teeing up Salah to smash home his second just before the hour mark.
Both managers turned to their match winners off the bench for the final half-hour as Klopp first turned to Sadio Mane before Fernandes made his entrance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold stung the palms of Henderson, who then saved twice from Salah as Liverpool’s attack began to click back into gear.
But it was Fernandes who won the game with a brilliant free-kick 12 minutes from time.
This week will be the first anniversary of the Portuguese’s arrival from Sporting Lisbon that has transformed United’s fortunes.
A year ago, United trailed Liverpool by 30 points in the Premier League having played two games more.
The past seven days have shown they are now more than a match for their old rivals.
Fernandes’s strike was a worthy winner of a thrilling tie as he used Pogba to unsight Alisson and fired the ball low into the Brazilian’s left-hand corner.
United will face West Ham in the last 16 next month.
PRESSURE EASES ON LAMPARD... FOR NOW
Tammy Abraham eased the pressure on under-fire manager Frank Lampard as his hat-trick saw Chelsea beat Luton 3-1 to reach the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.
Lampard is another manager under the spotlight, but there was some relief for the Blues boss as Abraham’s finishing avoided an embarrassing early cup exit.
The England striker struck twice in the opening 17 minutes, first firing into the far corner before heading home from close range for his 10th goal of the season.
However, it was not all plain sailing for Lampard’s men as goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was at fault for another sloppy goal, while Timo Werner’s lack of confidence will not have been helped by missing a penalty.
Jordan Clark’s low shot crept past Kepa’s woeful attempted save to give Luton a lifeline and the world’s most expensive ‘keeper had to make a much more difficult stop to deny Harry Cornick an equaliser in the second half.
A brilliant team move finally killed the tie off 16 minutes from time as substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi crossed for Abraham to tap home from point-blank range.
Werner had a chance to score just his second goal in 16 games when he was tripped by Clark, but his dreadful spell continued as his tame penalty was saved by Simon Sluga.
With Chelsea now well off the pace in the Premier League and facing a tough last-16 tie against La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the FA Cup may prove Lampard’s best chance of saving his job by winning a trophy.
A trip to Barnsley in the fifth round awaits early next month should the former England midfielder steady the ship in the league to remain in charge until then.
FOXES ROLL ON
Fresh from inflicting Chelsea’s fifth defeat in eight league games, Leicester maintained their fine form despite the absence of Jamie Vardy.
The Foxes’ Premier League title credentials will be tested in the coming weeks without their talisman, who faces weeks on the sidelines after a hernia operation.
Brendan Rodgers made eight changes in all and the visitors got off to a slow start when Mads Bech Sorensen bundled home the opener for Brentford.
The Bees are again pushing for promotion to the top flight after missing out in last season’s playoff final, but despite an impressive display, Leicester’s class showed after halftime.
Maddison’s jinking run set up Cengiz Under to fire home the equaliser a minute into the second half.
Five minutes later Youri Tielemans won and converted a penalty to turn the tie around.
Maddison then scored himself for the fourth consecutive game to set up a fifth-round clash at home to Brighton.
Burnley became the first side in nearly four years to beat Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Thursday and continued their brilliant week with a 3-0 win at Fulham.
Jay Rodriguez scored twice at Craven Cottage either side of Kevin Long’s first goal since 2018.
Sean Dyche’s men will fancy their chances of making the quarter-finals as they host Bournemouth or Crawley in the next round."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
We beat Liverpool 3-2 and advance to the 5th round and play West Ham."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
FA Cup semi finals this weekend. Who will go through to the final.
Chelsea V Man City
Leicester V Southampton
We were knocked out in the quaters against Leicester 3-1. Still a chance for the Europa League."Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"Comment
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Re: League and FA cups.
Oh yeah, another final.
What a cracking performance this morning, Tuchel is a genius.The curse is dead.Comment
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