Posts Tagged ‘FA Cup’

The EPL has a break in the in the action this weekend. The FA Cup will now take center stage on Saturday and Sunday. This is the oldest championship in the world. The FA Cup began play in 1871-72.

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This break will give my team Arsenal time to heal some of the walking wounded before we get back into action next week. Man U will get a chance to heal some of their hurting guys as well too. Thank God for small favors.

The Gunners have two hot dates next week. The first is on Wednesday February 17^th. We have a classic encounter with FC Porto in the knockout stage of the Champions League. The first leg will take place at Porto’s house in Estadio do Dragao.

Man U battles AC Milan in one of those titanic epic battles on Tuesday February 16^th at Milan’s house in Giuseppe Meazza. You can bet both sides will throw the kitchen sink at each other.

In Brasil the semi finals of Carioca Guanabara takes on Saturday and Ash Wednesday. Saturday we find Fluminense batting Vasco. On Ash Wednesday, Flamengo has a hot date with Botafogo. This should be an all out war between Rubro-Negro and Botafogo. Us Flamenguistas will be in full throat.

Adriano and the guys need to step it up a notch and kick some major butt. We need to strike early and often. The Emperor, Vagner Love, and Petkovic need to rip the twines.

Chelsea has a hot fifth round date with Cardiff on Saturday. The Blues will be missing some key players. John Terry was given time off to try and fix his marriage. Good luck bucko after being caught with your drawers down with another woman. Play nice Bobby. I know but I can’t help myself.  John Terry comes from the womanizer school of Tiger Woods, Joe Namath, John Kennedy, and Wilt Chamberlain. Compared to those guys John Terry is a piker. He needs more practice.

Ashley Cole will miss the Cardiff match due to the fractured ankle he sustained in the Everton match. Keeper Petre Cech and striker Nicolas Anelka will not make the trip either.

The Blues head man Carlo Ancelotti emphatically insists he is taking FA Cup seriously.

We will see.

Man City battles Stoke City, Southampton-Portsmouth, Reading- West Brom, and Derby-Birmingham are the other FA Cup match ups on Saturday.

On Sunday Tottenham-Bolton, Crystal Palace-Aston Villa, and Fulham-Notts County will duke it out.

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The FA Cup once again is full of surprises. Stoke City ruffed up the Gunners in 3-1 win. Man City took it Scunthorpe 4-2.

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Arsenal rested most of their regulars while the Potters threw the kitchen sink at the Gunners.

The FA Cup may be the only chance at a trophy the Potters have. For Stoke City is firmly entrenched in the middle of the pack in the EPL.

The Potters are in eleventh place with 25 points.

This match marked the return of Sol Campbell. He last played for the Gunners in 2006 Champions League final.

The Potters decided to play goon soccer. This was designed to take advantage of the younger Gunners squad.

Cesc Fabregas and Denilson were the only Arsenal regulars who played.

Sure. everyone had a hissy fit because Wenger decided to start the young guns however my question is this. Why risk playing Cesc Fabregas and Denilson in this contest when you have huge matches in the EPL coming up in the next two weeks.

Give the guy a break. Wenger knows what he is doing. His focus is on the bigger prize the EPL and Champions League.

The Gunner will win the EPL crown and this is why Wenger won’t risk getting his star players hurt.

City took it to Scunthorpe 4-2. 

This match may have marked the swan song for City’s Robinho.

Robinho scored in the 84^th minute. He let fly with smash from 35 yards out. This sucker ripped the twines and torn off the back of the net.

If this is his last match for City, at least Robinho went out on a high note.

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Can lightening strike in the same place? We will surely find out. Leeds United and Tottenham tied one all in the fourth round FA Cup. Who would have thunk it. Surely not me.

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This is one of those feel good stories. Leeds is in the process of a long slow climb back into the EPL.

I love stories like this. Leeds was dropped from the EPL in 2003-04. Then the Whites hit the skids and went belly up.

Now Leeds is top dog in League One.

Leeds knocked off mighty Manchester United in third round FA Cup action.

Now Leeds is in position to knock off another EPL giant Spurs.

Tottenham had a real chance to put the Whites away but Jermain Defoe missed a PK in the 9^th minute.

This wasn’t the real killer.

Jermaine Beckford nailed a PK in the 90^th minute to tie this sucker up at two all.

Tottenham’s Michael Dawson committed the unpardonable sin when he fouled Beckford in the dying moments of injury time.

The run up. The shot. Just inside the post. GOAL. Now it’s on to Leeds House Elland Road.

Spurs had their chances in their house White Hart Lane.

This was no cigar this time.

Can you say Upset City baby.

We will find out.

Chelsea breezed to a 2-0 win over Preston North End.

The pitch looked like a mud bog.

The match was played at Preston North End’s house.

Reading defeated Burnley 1-0. This gives Reading another notch on their gun belt. First Liverpool now Burnley.

West Brom stopped Newcastle dead in their tracks with a 4-2 win.

The Magpies are currently top dogs in League Championship. 

When the dust settled after Saturdays fourth round FA cup play there were only two upsets. Reading won but I will also call the two all tie between Leeds and Spurs an upset.

This is what makes the FA Cup so much fun.

Surprises always happen.

Manchester United and Hull City was the only clubs to play in the EPL. The Red Devils took the Tigers to the woodshed 4-0.

The Rooney man Wayne Rooney hit for the quadruple.

Was Rooney’s quadruple a warning shot fired at Manchester City?

The crowd at Old Trafford screamed the Glazers must go. They also screamed some other things that I will not print.

It looks like the Philly mentality has hit Man U as well too.

So, be it. But, all real Eagles fans root and cheer for Arsenal.

Gunners fans and Philly fans are kindred spirits.

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There is only one EPL match on tap for Saturday. Manchester United has a hot date with Hull City at Old Trafford. This is a must win for the mighty men of Old Trafford. They have to win.

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If not you can almost surely stick a fork in their chances for a historic four-peat.

The Tigers are bottom feeders. Hull City needs to win to avoid sinking further into the abyss of getting the heave-hoe.

The huge news coming out the Man U camp is that super defender Rio Ferdinand will make his debut this Saturday.

Man U must put the pedal to the medal. Rooney and his buds need to strike early and often if not it could be a long day.

Berbatov needs to come up big too.

For that matter the entire squad needs to step up their level of play.

The “D” better play well too. If the Red Devils give up a cheap early goal this will be a long Saturday at Old Trafford.

A Red Devils win will put them in first place in the EPL.

Please remember both Chelsea and Arsenal are playing in FA Cup fourth round matches this weekend.

I just hope the Gunners get out their FA Cup scrap without anyone biting the injury bug.

The Gunners have a hot date with Stoke City on Sunday in fourth round play of the FA Cup.

Chelsea battles Preston North End in FA Cup action Saturday.

Tottenham takes on Man U killer Leeds.

Leeds is a very dangerous club so the Spurs better watch out.

So, this is it from world of Bobby Gee.

Here is one more parting shot.

I know why I am an Arsenal fan. Beings a Gunners fan is so much like being a Philadelphia Eagles fan 

We always hope for the best but we expect the worst. We always expect the Eagles and Gunners to break our hearts.

The sad fact is they always do.

We are like the little sisters of the poor. Clubs like Liverpool and Man U in the EPL and Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants get all the respect while we are looked at as second-class citizens.

Go figure the Philly sports mentality is alive and well in merry old England.

You gotta love the Gunner mascot. If you look very closely, the mascot is the spitting image of the Philly fanatic.

I was born an Eagles fan. My dad took me to my first game in 1960. I was eight years old.

The same can be said for Gunners fans as well too.

In reality Gunners and Eagles fan are kindred souls.

Here is one thing we Eagles fans are known for BOO. We boo everybody. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and even our players unmercifully.

We are even known to throw snowballs and other crazy objects at opposing teams such as the hated Dallas Cowboy, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins.

We are fickle just like Gunners fans.

Yet, we always show up to support our team.

We tell it like it is. If they stink, they stink. We never sugar coat anything. This is who we are.

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The cold and the snow has not stopped the replay matches between Reading-Liverpool and Newcastle-Plymouth Argyle from taking place in today’s completion of third play in the FA Cup.

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Reading and Liverpool were locked in a deadly death match until the Reds founded a new offensive weapon in Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson. In the dying moments of the first half the Reds, main man Steven Gerrard fired a rocket into the crease. Reading defender Ingimarsson tipped the ball into his own net to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

Liverpool clearly had most of the possession time but the Reds were firing bricks until this mishap or better yet dumb play by the Royals that saved the Reds rear end.

This own goal may have saved the Reds miserable season. We will see. For now the tide of the match has tipped in Liverpool’s favor.

The Magpies are up 2-0 at the break against Plymouth Argyle. Peter Lovenkrands has hit the daily double for Newcastle.

The Magpies are clearly out playing their rival League Championship brethren.

Newcastle is top dog in the Championship.

If the Magpies can continue this pace, they will be headed back to the EPL next season.

Reading on the other hand is near the butt end of the Championship table. Reading was given the heave-hoe in 2007-08.

Last year the Royals just missed making it back to the EPL. Reading lost to Burnley in the semi-final League Championship play off.

The top two teams earn the automatic berth. The other EPL spot is earned in a playoff between teams who finish third through sixth in League Championship.

Peter Lovenkrands just got his hat trick for the Magpies. He ripped the winner from just inside left of the penalty area in the 72^nd minute. 

It is all over but the shouting for Newcastle.

The rout is on baby.

Liverpool is still hanging on to a 1-0 lead over Reading in the other third round match of the FA Cup.

It is all over as Newcastle advanced into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Newcastle blasted Plymouth Argyle 3-0.

You just gotta love this baby. Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun committed a dumb foul in the box. This resulted in a PK for Reading. Whamo Bamo Gylfi Sigurdesson nailed the PK in the 90^th minute to tie this sucker up at one all.

It is now extra time baby.

What is the old adage? If anything can go wrong, it will. This is surely how the Reds must feel after the dumb foul in the PK area.

What goes around comes around.

One dumb play deserves another.

Readings Shane Long just nailed a header from the right of the PK area to make 2-1 in the 100^th minute.

The folks at Anfield are crapping bricks.

The mighty Reds have lost to League Championship side Reading 2-1.

I can hear the screams all the way here in LA.

The Liverpool fans are not happy campers.

The Reds lost to close to the bottom feeder Reading.

Not a good day at Anfield at all.

Reading scored all three goals. Not a single one scored by Liverpool. This is not good guys for this surely stinks.

Liverpool’s only tally an own goal by Reading.

Reading is headed into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

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The third round of the FA Cup is on. These matches should be very entertaining. Two EPL clubs will battle League Championship clubs on this cold day in snowy old England.

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Three matches have bitten the dust due to snow. Accrington Stanley-Gillingham, Brentford–Doncaster, and Notts County-Forrest Green Rovers will be played at a later date.

The two matches I will watch very closely are Birmingham-Nottingham Forrest and Portsmouth-Coventry.
You gotta love it. Nottingham Forrest the home of Robin Hood and his merry band of men who battled the evil sheriff of Nottingham. Enough of this silliness but hey, this is who I am.

This is a tale of two clubs heading in opposite directions. Birmingham is firmly entrenched near the top of the table while Portsmouth is close to getting the heave-hoe.

A win by Portsmouth might save former Chelsea manager Avram Grant from getting the axe.

There are two huge surprises at halftime. Coventry is leading Portsmouth 1-0. Leon Best great twister goal from just inside the top of the box in the 22^nd minute is the difference in this baby so far.

Coventry is taking it to EPL side Portsmouth.

Birmingham is having all kinds of trouble with Nottingham Forrest. We’re tied at nil-nil at the break. It looks likes Robin Hood’s boys are hanging tough.

Portsmouth got their chestnuts saved when Coventry defender Stephen Wright knocked the ball into his own net in the 90^th minute.

This own goal was set up by a great free kick by Pompey’s Fredric Piquionne. He hit a great shot into the box. It was pinball machine time. This resulted in the own goal.

It is Deja vue all over again.

It was one all tie at Portsmouth’s house about a week ago.

Birmingham defeated Nottingham Forrest 1-0.

Barry Ferguson ripped the twines in the 62^nd minute to send Blues into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Queens Park Rangers defeated Sheffield United 3-2.

Bristol City and Cardiff City tied at one all.

Gavin Williams last minute goal (92^nd minute) saved Bristol City’s hide. Now it’s on to replay time for both of these sides.

We are now in extra time between Portsmouth and Coventry.

Portsmouth just scored the match winner in extra time. Aaron Mokoena headed home a great corner kick by Angelos Basinas in the 120^th minute to lift Pompey onto the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Derby and Millwall tied at one all. Enter PK shootout time. Derby wins 5-3 in a wild PK shootout.

This is it from the far side.

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The New Year always begins with lots of promise and high expectations. In Brasil January kicks off the state futebol championships. These state futebol championships run through May of every year.

The two I follow are Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Why you ask? My wife is Carioca and she a Sao Paulista. Go figure. I am a true blue Flamenguista.

There are two Sao Paulo titles. The first is Copa Sao Paulo and the second is the Campeonato Sao Paulo.

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Sao Paulo started off the Copa Sao Paulo with a 4-0 thrashing of CSA Alagoas. Tricolor’s Luke Gaucho led the hit parade with the daily double.

Sao Paulo sits atop Group H with three points.

The Copa Sao Paulo championship is similar the FA Cup except it is structured like the Champions League.

Teams from all classifications compete for the Copa Sao Paulo. 

The Campeonato Sao Paulo is restricted to teams from the Campeonato and Series B. The lesser known clubs are not permitted to play in this title hunt.

This means the little guys can knock off the big boys like Sao Paulo, Corinthians, Botafogo, Palmeiras, and the like in the Copa Sao Paulo.

Corinthians destroyed Araguaina 5-0.

Timao was lead by William’s daily double and Jadson had two assists and he scored one of those bad boys.

The big surprise was Gremio and Confiança drew at one all.  Gremio dominated the match but they had trouble pulling the trigger except for Fernando. He scored on a rocket in the 23^rd minute.

Confiança tied this baby up one a great strike by Valber.

Many of the big clubs play their lesser-known players to give them the opportunity to see how well they will perform in these high stakes Copa Sao Paulo matches. 

This can lead to lots of upset city baby.

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This is one of those weird Saturdays. The EPL is off so all we have to talk about is the FA Cup. I find the FA Cup boring. Yes, I know it is the oldest cup competition in the world. 

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The first FA Cup was held in 1871-72.

This pits clubs from all divisions against each other. The little guys have a chance to upset the big boys however this rarely happens. Yes, it makes good copy when it happens.

In the last nine years, one Championship League team made to the finals Cardiff City 2007-08. Cardiff City lost to Portsmouth 1-0 in the final.

One League One side Millwall made it to the 2003-04 final where the Loins lost to Man U 3-0.

The most famous of the little guys who pulled off the big upsets were Wimbledon in 1975 and Telford United in 1982-93. Telford had another one of their magical runs in the 2003-04 FA Cup when they made to the fourth round before losing to Millwall the 2003-04 finalists.

Telford went broke and stopped playing futebol in 2004

With this little diddy as a backdrop, one piece of surprising news came out of FA Cup third round play today. Liverpool and Reading tied one all.

This is a huge upset tie.

Liverpool should have killed em but the Reds didn’t.

Steven Gerrard saved Liverpool’s bacon when he scored the equalizer in the 36^th minute.

The Royals stink this year. Reading is a step above getting the heave-hoe to League One.

Still the Royals gave the Reds all they could handle and then some.

Liverpool pretty much started their first team. This is not good.

This was the only real scare of the day.

Tottenham cleaned Peterborough’s clock 4-0.  Spurs were led by Niko Kranjcar’s daily double. Jermain Defoe and Robbie Kean each touched the twines for Tottenham.

City escaped with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.
Benjani Mwaruwari rocket in the 45^th minute was the difference in the match.

Carlos Tevez came close twice to putting the match out of reach but he missed by just that much.

Middlesbrough’s Gary O’Neil had a golden opportunity but he came up just short.

It looks like Mancini is righting the City ship. Three shut out wins under his leadership so far but the jury is still out. City needs to get wins against some quality sides.

You gotta love it.

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