FA Cup 4th Round Round-Up; 5th Round Draw
By Sam McPhee
This weekend’s FA Cup 4th Round action has concluded & there was the usual cup combination of shocks & big sides advancing that makes the FA Cup the fascinating competition that is.
There is even a non-league side, Crawley Town, that is still alive tying the record for progression for non-league sides, reaching the 5th Round where only 16 teams will remain. For their troubles, Crawley, which is located in southern coastal county, West Sussex, will face Alcyoneus-like side, Manchester United at Old Trafford. And like Alcyoneus, Man U is virtually “immortal” at home.
However, by admission of their own website, they have “Cup Fever!” Cup Fever!, Crawley has it! Do you?
Clipped from: www.crawleytownfc.com (share this clip)
The full 4th Round results:
There will also be a few replays to be contested before the 5th Round begins which include all-EPL match-up Chelsea-Everton to be held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge following the sides’ 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Saturday’s Matches
Aston Villa 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
Aston Villa’s recent turnaround continued against another club enjoying somewhat of a rebirth as of late. Early goals from either side, from Villa’s Ciaran Clark & Blackburn’s Kalinić, respectively led to a 1-1 scoreline before 20 minutes in. But two goals in the last 10 minutes of the first half, from veteran Robert Pirès & young striker, Nathan Delfouneso were enough to down Rovers & see Villa, who finished the match with 10 men, progress into the next round.
Birmingham City 3-2 Coventry City
Birmingham provided their second cup fightback in as many matches as they overcame a 2-0 first half deficit to provide a thrilling 3-2 win for the their St. Andrew’s faithful. Goals by Marlon King & Richard Wood (huh-huh-huhhhhh, Wood) had given Coventry an early lead before Birmingham’s Spurs loanee, David Bentley, woke Birmingham up with a goal 10 minutes before the break. In the second half, Brum got 2 goals in 6 minutes from Stuart Parnaby & old warhorse, Kevin Philips, to complete the comeback for Birmingham who are enjoying better form in the cups than their league campaign.
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Wigan Athletic
Bolton & Wigan played out a nil-nil stalemate at the Reebok. The match was fairly even but neither side could break the deadlock & will settle the matter with a replay two weeks from now on February 16th.
Burnley 3-1 Burton Albion
Mid-table Championship side, Burnley, defeated struggling League Two club, Burton. A brace from former Manchester United product, Chris Eagles, had given Burnley the lead prior to a late goal scored by Burton’s striker, Calvin “No, I’m not related to Gianfranco” Zola gave Burton hope of forcing a replay. However, a goal in stoppage time by substitution, Martin Paterson, ended Burton’s dreams.
Everton 1-1 Chelsea
A 50/50 call that went Everton’s way led to the Toffees goal that gave them the initial lead. Florent Malouda had looked to have possibly cleared a ball before it crossed the line for a goalkick. A blonde-quaffed Louis Saha headed home from the subsequent corner. With a quarter of an hour to go, Chelsea hit Everton on a counterattack to draw level with Solomon Kalou netting to force a replay for the Blues… um, of Chelsea. Well, the Blues of Everton have to play the same replay…. uhh, you get the picture. Chelsea-Everton to replay…. errr, anyway, moving on…
Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 Hereford United
Saturday was a good day for Wednesday as they had a fairly easy time against Hereford downing the 10-man Bulls 4-1 with goals coming from Darren Potter in the first half & one form Jermaine Johnson & two from Clinton Morrison in the second half, including one from the spot. Hereford had taken a lead inside ten minutes with a goal from Stuart Fleetwood who was the mac for Hereford- Fleetwood Mac?… Anyone? Bueller? /bad joke- before Wednesday’s four-goal goalvalanche overturned the early deficit.
Southampton 1-2 Manchester United
Man U needed two second half goals to overturn a Southampton lead that was given to them with a well-struck goal from midfielder Richard Chaplow on the stroke of halftime. Former England Golden Boy, Michael Owen, got Man U back on level terms following a shockingly poor first half with a goal in the 65th minute. Then with 15 minutes left Man U drove the dagger into Southampton’s hearts when the Saints had a poor giveaway in their own third. Chicharito finished off the move following a masterful pass from Ryan Giggs.
Stevenage 1-2 Reading
Reading knocked off giant-killing Stevenage who had downed EPL club, Newcastle United, last time out. Goals from Royals’ players Mikele Leigertwood & Shane Long offset a long goal by Darius Charles allowed Championship Reading to do what Newcastle couldn’t do.
Swansea City 1-2 Leyton Orient
The Welsh club were defeated on their home grounds by a determined Leyton Orient side who will face Arsenal for their reward. Orient grabbed the lead in the first half through former Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith. Swansea knotted it up on the stroke of halftime with a header by former Ajax player, Cedric Van Der Gun. An own goal two minutes from time saw Swansea undone & set the stage for an all London affair in the next round for Leyton.
Torquay United 0-1 Crawley Town
In a battle between a lower division side & a non-league side, Crawley, the non-league, continued their magical run with a goal from midfielder Matt Tubbs. The match was somewhat contentious has there were 10 cards in total & 2 sendings off, one apiece per side, as both teams battled for the right to advance. Crawley ties the record for the deepest progression by a non-league side in the FA Cup joining Colchester United (1948), Yeovil Town (1949), Blyth Spartans (1978), Telford United (1985) and Kidderminster Harriers (1994) as the only non-league sides to have accomplished the feat.
Watford 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
The Southern side from the League One beat Championship-level Watford by a lone goal scored by Ashley Barnes helped by a goalkeeping howler.
Sunday’s Matches
Arsenal 2-1 Huddersfield Town
The Gunners needed a late penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas to spare some blushes as they once again struggled against a lower division at home in a cup. Niklas Bendtner opened the scoring in the first half though it was officially awarded as an own goal. Huddersfield though turned the tide when Sebastien Schillaci was sent-off for taking down a Huddersfield runner in cynical fashion. Huddersfield then were able to level the score with a goal through Alan Lee before Fabregas’ penalty gave the Gunners’ the win.
Fulham 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham completed a dominant victory over a shockingly hapless Spurs side who went down a man inside the opening quarter-hour only moments after giving away the 1st of 2 penalties. Danny Murphy scored both penalties ([1] & [2]) only minutes apart which virtually killed Spurs off (Spurs basically slept through the entire 1st half, esp. in the backline) before the match had even really begun. Towering Brede Hangeland poked home following a corner to give the Cottagers a 3-0 leadonly 23 minutes in & Moussa Dembele scored just before the half with a cracking run from the halfway line. In the second half Fulham was content to let Spurs have possession & knock it around though the home side did nearly almost add to their shocking scoreline on a few occasions.
Notts County 1-1 Manchester City
Man City’s millionaires will be forced to fight Notts County in a replay though that will be contested in Manchester. In today’s match, however, the Citizens struggled & even fell behind before the hour mark through Notts County’s Neal Bishop. But Man City were rescued by big money signing, Edin Džeko’s first goal for the club. On the goal, Džeko showed expert technique to finish off a chance that was much more difficult than it looked, especially on a slightly rough pitch such as Notts County’s.
West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
A hat-trick from Nigerian Victor Obinna led the Hammers past a resolute Nottingham Forest side by the odd goal in five. Obinna got the Hammers off to a flying start with a goal only 4 minutes in before Forest took the lead with two goals of their own. Forest only had the lead for just moments, however, as Obinna hit a nice strike from the right side to equalize going in to halftime. Obinna completed his hat-trick from the spot seven minutes into the second half & Forest couldn’t muster a response.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Stoke City
In a tie that only their supporters & their mothers could love, a headed goal by German defender Robert Huth goal 9 minutes from full-time gave the visitors a win over Wolves.
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The FA Cup 5th Round Draw was also held today & the ties are as follows:
Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday
Everton or Chelsea v Reading
Fulham v Bolton Wanderers or Wigan Athletic
Leyton Orient v Arsenal
Manchester United v Crawley Town
Notts County or Manchester City v Aston Villa
Stoke City v Brighton & Hove Albion
West Ham United v Burnley