February 18, 200818 yr Barnsley face Chelsea in FA Cup Full draw for FA Cup quarter-finals: Sheffield United or Middlesbrough v Cardiff City Manchester United v Portsmouth Bristol Rovers v West Brom Barnsley v Chelsea Matches to be played on the weekend of 8 and 9 March. Championship side Barnsley have been rewarded for their stunning FA Cup win at Liverpool with a quarter-final tie at home to holders Chelsea. League One side Bristol Rovers have been drawn at home against West Brom and in the only all-Premier League tie, Manchester United entertain Portsmouth. In the other sixth-round contest, Cardiff City will travel to either Sheffield United or Middlesbrough. The games will be played on the weekend of 8 and 9 March. Barnsley boss Simon Davey admitted the Tykes had their dream draw after being paired with Avram Grant's Chelsea. "It is a fantastic draw and a fantastic achievement for us to be here - and now we have a glamour tie as our reward," said Davey. "We have a world-renowned team with some of the best players in the world coming here and it is one to look forward to. "We have to make sure that this place is a cauldron for them and I am sure it will be packed. Hopefully we can put on a show for our supporters." Bristol Rovers midfielder Chris Lines admits he cannot wait for the club's first FA Cup quarter-final since 1958. "All the lads will be happy with a home draw and so will the club. We are all looking forward to it," Lines told BBC Radio 5 Live. "The pitch isn't in the best condition but it's a real leveller when teams from higher leagues come down here - we've proved that against Fulham and Southampton. "We've had some experience of playing at Wembley in last season's play-offs but this would be even more of a fairytale to get to an FA Cup semi there." Manchester United have now been drawn against Premier League opposition in their last 11 FA Cup draws - their 3-0 win at Wolves on 20 January 2006 the last time they played a lower league side in the competition. "It's typical that we have another Premier League team," said Ferguson. "But it's a home draw, so it doesn't matter who you get. "The good thing about the FA Cup is that the opposition bring an increased number of supporters, which makes for a great atmosphere."
February 23, 200818 yr We almost have the peoples money Bangkok - Thailand's coup-ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has had his diplomatic passport returned weeks after a new pro- Thaksin government came to power, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported Saturday. The foreign ministry - which revoked Thaksin's "red passport" last year after the former premier was served an arrest warrant to persuade him to return from self-exile to face abuse-of-power charges at home - changed its mind about the propriety of the issue shortly after Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's former lawyer, became Foreign Minister on February 7, the Bangkok Post reported, citing a senior source at the ministry. Thaksin was toppled by a military coup on September 19, 2006, on charges of mass corruption, dividing the nation and undermining the country's democratic institutions and the monarchy. The billionaire politician, who amassed his wealth off public concessions in Thailand's telecommunications sector, has lived in self-exile since the coup but is expected to return shortly now that a newly elected government is in place. The pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP) won the most seats in the December 23 general election and now leads a six-party coalition government that named its cabinet on February 7. Upon taking office, Thailand's new Foreign Minister Noppodon said his diplomatic priority was to issue a new red passport for his former boss. Noppodon argued that Thaksin deserved equal treatment as other former premiers, all of whom have the right to diplomatic passports, even though none of them have been issued arrest warrants. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/187666,thailands-ousted-premier-gets-his-red-passport-back.html -------------- I guess he will be given his money back soon... YESSSSSSSSSSSSS !!! If we quailfy for the champs leauge. We will be able to buy the best players... " We trust in Sven"
February 23, 200818 yr Birmingham 2-2 Arsenal The injury to Eduardo stunned everybody on the pitch James McFadden salvaged a point for Birmingham with an injury-time penalty but the game was overshadowed by a horrific injury to Arsenal's Eduardo. The striker suffered a broken leg in the third minute after a tackle by Martin Taylor, who was sent off. McFadden gave the Blues the lead with a 20-yard free-kick before Theo Walcott poked in his first Premier League goal. Walcott made it 2-1 with a mazy run and shot before McFadden equalised after Gael Clichy fouled Stuart Parnaby. It was a dramatic end to an incident-packed match that began with a sickening injury to Croatia international Eduardo which shocked players and officials in the immediate vicinity. Referee Mike Dean summoned Arsenal physio Gary Lewin and the St John's Ambulance volunteers to attend to the striker and issued a straight red to Taylor. The on-pitch treatment for the 24-year-old lasted seven minutes before he was given oxygen, stretchered off and rushed to hospital in Birmingham. Both sides did their best to get their minds refocused after the restart but it took until the 28th minute before there was a major goalmouth incident, resulting in the opening goal for Birmingham. The marauding McFadden, who was playing on his own in attack after Mikael Forssell was sacrificed for defender Stuart Parnaby following the red card, was brought down by Mathieu Flamini. The Scotland forward dusted himself off before delicately placing his 20-yard free-kick into Manuel Almunia's top-left corner, despite the Spaniard getting a hand to the ball. McFadden should have doubled the home side's lead in the fifth of nine minutes of stoppage time but allowed Phillippe Senderos to tackle him after finding himself one-on-one with Almunia. The Premier League leaders appeared shell-shocked during the first 45 minutes following the injury to their team-mate and needed a spark after the break to haul them back into the match. That spark was provided by wunderkind Walcott, making his 30th league appearance for Arsenal. The sprightly 18-year-old, in for the suspended Emmanuel Eboue, was first to pounce on a loose ball, from a challenge between keeper Taylor and Emmanuel Adebayor, and stabbed in from eight yards. And five minutes later he put Arsenal in the lead after seizing on a mistake from Liam Ridgewell, drifting past two City defenders and rifling his low effort past the reach of Taylor. Arsenal could have added to their lead, but first Adebayor was foiled by the hand of Taylor and then Bendtner smacked a low angled shot just wide of the Birmingham right-hand upright. The Gunners seemed guaranteed to take all three points back to north London, before their hopes were shattered by an inexplicable mistake from full-back Clichy. The French defender delivered a pass into no-man's land inside the Arsenal area and allowed Parnaby to seize on the ball before bringing the former Middlesbrough player down. Referee Dean pointed to the spot and McFadden stepped up to smash the ball to Almunia's left. The final whistle sounded seconds after the restart - Arsenal were left stunned, in particular defender William Gallas who sat down on the pitch for about two minutes before manager Wenger called him to his feet. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7248309.stm
February 23, 200818 yr Author Another 3 points in the bag against Sunderland :) Southampton could only draw against the team at the bottom of the table :) And Salisbury beat Kidderminster :)
February 23, 200818 yr Newcastle 1-5 Man Utd Ronaldo and Rooney were sublime at St James' Park Two goals each from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United beat Newcastle and close the gap on leaders Arsenal to three points. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring when he volleyed in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross at the far post before the supplier slotted in from Michael Carrick's pass. Ronaldo rounded Steve Harper for his second but Newcastle reduced the deficit when Abdoulaye Faye poked in. Rooney curled in the fourth before Louis Saha slotted in late on. The win puts Sir Alex Ferguson's side firmly back in the hunt for the title following Arsenal's draw at Birmingham, while the defeat leaves Newcastle just six points above the relegation zone. What will not help manager Kevin Keegan's cause is that the team have not won in 10 games and have only scored three goals in five games. Following their 6-0 drubbing at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture last month, Newcastle were keen to avoid another embarrassment. And for the first 24 minutes, Newcastle's defence coped well and the midfield worked tirelessly to keep the impish Ronaldo and Nani at bay with some juicy tackles. But one of the problems for the Magpies this season is the frequent lapses of concentration and for United's first goal, left-back Charles N'Zogbia was the guilty figure allowing Rooney to steal in front of him and tuck away Ronaldo's peach of a ball at the far post. With the seal broken and Newcastle beginning to look stereotypically raggedy, the Old Trafford side pinged the ball about from wing to wing with carefree supremacy, while Michael Carrick in the middle was quick to seize on loose balls from the Newcastle midfield. It was Wallsend-born Carrick who set up the second goal when his surge and well-weighted pass found the eager Ronaldo who slotted his shot under Given and into the keeper's bottom left. Ferguson's side should have added two more in the first half, but Carlos Tevez headed over from six yards after he was first to Nani's right-wing delivery while Ronaldo screwed his 10-yard angled shot wide. Newcastle did not unleash their first shot in anger until after the interval when Damien Duff twisted inside the area and fired a low drive that Edwin van der Sar had to punch away. Had the hosts scored then the game might have taken on a different look. Instead, the away side once again exploited the Magpies frailties to extend their advantage. Abdoulaye Faye, back from Africa Nations Cup duty, misplaced a pass and the ball found its way to Ronaldo who motored his way towards goal. The Portugal international fended off a foolish attempt of a tackle from Steven Taylor before rounding Harper, who came on for the injured Given at half-time, for his fifth goal against the Magpies in two matches. Faye pulled one back for the Magpies after smashing in substitute Andy Carroll's nod down from a corner, but that only angered the visitors who scored a fourth after Rooney curled in a beautiful shot from the edge of the area. And seconds before the final whistle there was time for ex-Magpie Saha to find the net with a low shot from Rooney's square ball. Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan: "Confidence is very low. We need a win, just to get the club moving forward again, it's been a long time. It gets to the players and everyone and takes confidence away. We've got a fight on but I believe in the players." Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "The match was decided by the front players, they were just magnificent. It was a good performance and we could have scored more goals. They all did really well - Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo got two each, but the movement of Carlos Tevez and Nani contributed to that. Newcastle is a volatile place to come, but we managed to quieten them down." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7248356.stm
February 23, 200818 yr Another 3 points in the bag against Sunderland :) Southampton could only draw against the team at the bottom of the table :) And Salisbury beat Kidderminster :)At this point I would be surprised if Saints managed to beat their way out of a wet paper sack. :dozey:
February 24, 200818 yr Gazza sectioned under Mental Health Act and sent to an institution for retards with no chance of recovery. "We're glad to have him back!" says keegan
February 24, 200818 yr Author Keegan will be out by the Summer. So it's the final of the league cup, Chelsea vs. Spurs, at least the teams don't have to travel far.
February 24, 200818 yr Watching it, should be a good game but as Chelsea are playing 4-3-3 with Anelka and Drogba in the same side, I think they might be a bit too strong. Nevertheless, come on Spurs! :D
February 24, 200818 yr Woodgate heads Spurs to cup glory Tottenham came from a goal down to beat Chelsea at Wembley and win the Carling Cup after extra-time. Jonathan Woodgate won it when Petr Cech disastrously punched the ball on to his head from Jermaine Jenas's free-kick. Pascal Chimbonda had hit the bar for Spurs, before Didier Drogba's 20-yard free-kick gave Chelsea the lead with Paul Robinson badly out of position. Spurs levelled when Wayne Bridge handled in the box and Dimitar Berbatov coolly rolled in the resulting penalty. Spurs' success is their fourth League Cup win and first since 1999, the last time they won a major trophy. It ends Chelsea's quadruple hopes in Avram Grant's first season as Blues boss, though they are still in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. Spurs set their stall out early on and began in a positive fashion in the first League Cup final at the new Wembley. With only 30 seconds on the clock Juliano Beletti inexplicably gave the ball away to Robbie Keane, the striker racing through and seeing his 20-yard drive deflected wide by John Terry. Twice in a minute Spurs could have gone in front, first Chimbonda heading a corner on to the bar and then Berbatov heading wide from Keane's cross, before Chelsea came back into it. After Frank Lampard shot off target and Drogba curled a 25-yard free-kick high and wide, the Blues made a decisive breakthrough. Didier Zokora tripped Drogba 20 yards out and the Ivorian dusted himself down to curl the resulting free-kick into the bottom left-hand side of Robinson's goal. Robinson - only recalled to the Spurs team on Thursday for their Uefa Cup tie after a month on the sidelines - was in completely the wrong position and remained rooted to his spot as the ball flew past him. Spurs almost made an immediate reply but Keane's shot was straight at Cech and then Berbatov slipped as Keane attempted to send him through on goal. Chelsea, a side well-drilled in the art of defending a one-goal lead, rarely looked like surrendering their advantage until, halfway through the second half, calamity struck. Having struggled to make much headway against the Chelsea defence Spurs were gifted a penalty, Bridge bizarrely knocking the ball away with his left hand as he tussled with Aaron Lennon. Berbatov, keeping his cool, waited for Cech to go left before he rolled the ball into the other side of the goal. Suddenly Spurs were in the ascendancy and Zokora raced through, only for his first shot to hit Cech on the head and his second slice wide, before Berbatov stung Cech's palms with a fierce drive. They only had to wait four minutes of extra-time to take a lead they would not relinquish, Cech punching a Jenas free-kick on to Woodgate's head and the ball trickling into an empty net. Chelsea had to attack but the outstanding Woodgate and Ledley King stood firm, Blues substitute Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole both seeing shots saved by Robinson, but they were nothing more than half-chances. Spurs deservedly hung on for a famous win and denied their London rivals back-to-back Carling Cup victories in the process. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm
February 24, 200818 yr Well I wasn't gonna mention it but since you brought it up.....LOL at the Skates.
February 24, 200818 yr Author Well I wasn't gonna mention it but since you brought it up.....LOL at the Skates. At least we ain't 5 points from the Championship drop zone :P
March 1, 200818 yr Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa Bendtner is congratulated by Walcott after his late equaliser A late Nicklas Bendtner goal rescued Arsenal after a Philippe Senderos own goal had seemed set to cost them their place at the top of the Premier League. Gabriel Agbonlahor's driven, low cross was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Senderos on 27 minutes. Villa almost added a second but Manuel Almunia did superbly to turn Shaun Maloney's fierce shot onto the post. As a below-par Arsenal looked destined for defeat, substitute Bendtner poked in an equaliser in the last 10 seconds. Arsenal started the match looking determined to shake off the after-effects of last weekend's nightmarish experience at Birmingham, the scene of two points dropped as well as Eduardo's horrific leg break. And Theo Walcott - up front in place of Eduardo - brought a fine save out of Scott Carson after an exquisite turn and shot. Soon though, Arsenal were given warning that Villa would launch fast counter-attacks whenever possible. It took a superbly-timed sliding tackle from William Gallas to prevent Agbonlahor teeing up a shot when clean through in the box. However, Arsenal might have taken the lead had Senderos not fallen backwards as he volleyed goalwards after a poor punch from Carson. There was little time for Senderos to reflect on that as Agbonlahor's pace caught Arsenal out and his fierce low cross was turned in by the unfortunate Swiss defender at his near post. Villa suffered some rotten luck when first Nigel Reo-Coker and then, six minutes later, Curtis Davies had to go off due to injury. But defensively they remained solid and they also stayed true to their strategy of hitting on the break. It almost got them a second goal, but Maloney's vicious 25-yard drive was pushed onto the post by a full-stretch Almunia. As half-time approached Arsenal might have snatched an equaliser after great trickery from Walcott, but Cesc Fabregas fired over from eight yards. Trying to raise the tempo after the restart, Arsenal surged at Villa and Walcott drove in a shot that Carson palmed around his left post. A better save came shortly after at the other end, when Almunia did superbly to divert Ashley Young's fizzing shot away from the bottom corner. Back came Arsenal, and Matthieu Flamini dragged a shot wide before substitute Bendtner missed with a header and Gael Clichy also failed to trouble Carson. Then a chance for each team in quick succession - and while Almunia was relieved that Agbonlahor shot straight at him, Carson made an outstanding stop from Alexander Hleb. But as they came forward Arsenal also looked vulnerable and Villa substitute Marlon Harewood smashed a shot at Almunia when he might have done better. A rising drive from Flamini went over the bar as Arsenal pressed, and it was looking as though Villa would be only the second team to win at The Emirates. But in added time Bendtner slotted in from six yards following Adebayor's downward header to ensure Arsenal stay a point above Manchester United in the table. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7260437.stm
March 1, 200818 yr Fulham 0-3 Man Utd Owen Hargreaves celebrates putting Manchester United ahead Manchester United cruised past Fulham and closed to within one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal. United rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but Owen Hargreaves set them on their way to victory with a 20-yard free-kick after 15 minutes. They missed a host of chances before Ji-Sung Park headed in Paul Scholes' cross a minute before the interval. Fulham's misery was complete when Simon Davies turned John O'Shea's cross into his own net 18 minutes from time. Ronaldo and Rooney were rested in readiness for the Champions League clash with Lyon at Old Trafford on Tuesday - but it did little to disturb United's rhythm in a first 45 minutes they dominated with embarrassing ease. Louis Saha should have put United ahead after only five minutes when he was sent clear by a raking Scholes pass, but he was hopelessly off target with only Fulham keeper Antti Niemi to beat. It was only a matter of time before United took the lead, and so it proved on 15 minutes when Brede Hangeland fouled Carlos Tevez and Hargreaves clipped a clever free-kick past Niemi from 20 yards. Nani then shot narrowly wide and Scholes saw a header well saved by Niemi as United threatened to over-run Roy Hodgson's troubled side. United's failure to take their chances almost cost them 12 minutes before the interval when Danny Murphy escaped his markers but saw a point-blank header blocked by Edwin van der Sar. The champions doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Park met Scholes' cross with a firm header to leave Fulham facing a mammoth task. Fulham made little or no impact in the early stages of the second half, and United demonstrated their squad strength after 68 minutes, sending on Rooney and Ronaldo for Tevez and Saha. United were still in the ascendancy and Niemi had to be sharp to save low down from Park as he drove into the danger zone. The game was finished as a contest with 18 minutes left when Davies unluckily diverted O'Shea's shot past Niemi at the near post for United's third. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7260384.stm
Create an account or sign in to comment