Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Inglaterra: Chelsea - QPR, partido "calentito"

(EFE) La Federación inglesa de fútbol acordó que en el partido de cuarta ronda de FA Cup entre el Queens Park Rangers y Chelsea no se realizara el clásico saludo previo entre ambos equipos, debido a las tensiones generadas tras el supuesto incidente racista entre John Terry y Anton Ferdinand en el último encuentro liguero entre ambos conjuntos.
"Después de varias reuniones entre altos mandatarios de QPR y Chelsea con la FA, se llegó a la conclusión de que lo mejor era eliminar el apretón de manos habitual en el Loftus Road. La FA atendió a la petición de ambos equipos y, con la intención de eliminar posibles tensiones previas al partido, se decidió eliminar este gesto", explicó la FA en un comunicado oficial.
Terry, quien siempre ha defendido su inocencia, deberá compadecer este próximo miércoles 1 de febrero ante el Tribunal de Magistrados de Londres, en un juicio en donde se enfrenta a una posible multa de hasta 2.500 libras (3.000 euros).
El partido entre ambos conjuntos, se resolvió a favor del Chelsea gracias a un gol de penalty manrcado por el español Juan Mata.

Este no es el único caso de racismo en esta temporada en Inglaterra. El capitán del Chelsea podría unirse a Luis Suárez, quien ya fuera suspendido ocho partidos y multado con 40.000 libras (48.000 euros) por la Asociación de Fútbol inglesa por insultar al defensa del Manchester United Patrice Evra.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

El Chelsea completa su doblete con la FA Cup


(EP) El Chelsea certificó su 'doblete' tras vencer al Portsmouth (1-0) en la final de la 'FA Cup' disputada en el estadio de Wembley y en la que un solitario gol de Drogba a la hora de partido fue suficiente para apagar el sueño de un Portsmouth que falló un penalti que enterró sus opciones.

El conjunto que dirige Carlo Ancelotti, que se proclamó campeón de la Premier hace escasamente una semana, alzó la 'FA Cup' gracias al gol de falta de Drogba, que acabó con el 'muro' de James en el minuto 59, tres después del fallo de penalti de Boateng, que condenó a los suyos.

El marfileño es un jugador total, un delantero con una potencia escandalosa que es el puntal de un Chelsesa que le busca en cada ataque. El africano no defraudó y una vez más se erigió en el guía de los suyos, necesitados de su olfato goleador desde hace seis temporadas.

Y es que el actual campeón de Liga salió a Wembley imponiendo su ley, haciendo gala de su superioridad -primero contra último de la tabla-, pero una y otra vez la madera del marco de James repelió las acometidas de los londinenses.

Lampard, Terry y Drogba, con un ensayo de lo que sería su tanto, se estrellaron con un acertado James y con los postes, que impidieron su gol durante el primer acto. Antes de la media hora de partido, cuando Piquionne ya hizo estrenarse a Cech, Kalou marró una ocasión clamorosa tras no aprovechar un pase de Cole cuando estaba solo, sin el portero enfrente.

Didier Drogba volvió a perdonar antes del descanso en dos ocasiones y el empate se mantenía. Con la sensación de que Goliat había dejado 'vivo' a David, ambos equipos enfilaron el túnel de vestuarios, unos lamentándose por los fallos, y otros con la esperanza del que se ve con opciones.

Tras la reanudación, el Chelsea sufrió el bajón típico del equipo que ha hecho lo imposible para ir ganando y que se ve con las tablas. Esto fue aprovechado por el 'Pompy' para mostrar sus credenciales en el partido, demostrar que no estaba acabado.

Corría el minuto 55 de envite cuando Dindane encaró a Belletti --entró por el lesionado Ballack-- y el ex del Barcelona cometió penalti. Boateng asumió la responsabilidad, pero su disparo, mordido y centrado, fue despejado por Cech, que volvió a dar alas a los suyos mientras hundió a los de Grant.

Tres minutos después, y con la ley del fútbol de 'el que perdona la paga', Drogba provocó una falta fuera del área. Él fue el encargado de colocar el balón, con el mimo propio del que sabe que es su oportunidad. Con su clásico golpeó de interior, Drogba hizo un gran gol y puso en ventaja a los suyos.

El gol acabó con las esperanzas del 'Pompey' y tranquilizó al Chelsea, ávido de un gol que anulara cualquier tipo de sorpresa. Con espacios, los de Ancelotti pudieron hacer el segundo, pero ni Anelka, ni Lampard -que falló una pena máxima- vieron puerta. Aún así, el marcador no se movió y los londinenses pudieron celebrar su primer 'doblete' de la historia.

Friday, March 7, 2008

FA Cup: Manchester United vs Portsmouth

Fergies not going yet as he refuses to give a retirement date

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to put a date on his retirement. Speaking ahead of Manchester United's sixth round FA Cup clash with Portsmouth, he was suitably vague about when he would finally be retiring after 22 years in charge of Manchester United.

Speaking on UK Sky News he said: "It's something I've said for quite a bit - If your health is good and you're enjoying your job it could be two, three years, who knows? It could be four years who knows? It could be tomorrow if I read some bad press from your mob [journalists] - trying to get rid of me," Ferguson joked. "I've not put a time limit on it - that's for sure."

We think Sir Alex is acutely aware of what happened last time he set a date for retirement - Manchester United's season petered out as the media, fans and players all became obsessed with his imminent departure. As it was, he just couldn't bring himself to leave anyway, and he's still there with Manchester United as strong as ever, and Premier League title holders.

United entertain Portsmouth in the FA Cup quarter finals on Saturday, and few would bet against them reaching the last four by Saturday evening. Ferguson has a near full-strength squad to choose from, and with the Premier League and UEFA Champions League rigours to come he may choose to rest some of his more senior stars.

Ferguson also revealed that he is happy with the progress of long-term injury victims Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre and is confident the England international will shortly be returning to first-team action.

We at Footy Focus can't see past a Manchester United Saturday stroll in this one!




Saturday, February 16, 2008

Liverpool crash out the FA Cup to Barnsley

Rafa made to look a Yorkshire pudding as Barnsley produce a sucker punch

Liverpool crashed out the FA Cup in spectacular fashion last night as Barnsley pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the FA Cup's history.

An ashen-faced Rafa Benitez is now hanging onto his Liverpool job by a thread, and with the leaders of Italy's Serie A up next, its' not hard to see Benitez being out by the end of the season.

It all looked oh so different at half time for Liverpool. They had struggled to create chances in the first half, but had got the lead through a Dirk Kuyt finish from a Ryan Babel cut-back. Barnsley had created little of note, and the scene seemed to be set for a comfortable Liverpool win.

Liverpool came out in the second half determined to finish Barnsley off, but despite creating some half chances, they just couldn't get the second goal. Crouch and Kuyt were the worst offenders, missing some decent chances. Then in the 56th minute, Foster outjumped Crouch to power home Devaney's cross and Liverpool were rocking. After that it was backs to the wall stuff for Bansley, as they sturggled to hang on as Kuyt, Benayoun and Hyppia (twice) were all denied by Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal.

Then in the last minute came the drama and calamity for Liverpool as the Barnsley captain Howard, held off a challenge on the edge of the penalty area, Carragher and Rissie stood off him for a split second too long, and he lashed a tremendous drive into the bottom corner.

Benitez's position at Liverpool surely now is becoming untenable and his players are beginning to play like they think so too.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Liverpool won't risk Torres

FA Cup fifth round: Liverpool vs Barnsley- Torres out, Hypia and Arbeloa back in

Fernando Torres won't be risked as Liverpool entertain Barnsley in the fifth round of the FA Cup, on Saturday evening. The Reds top scorer is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Spain, but Rafa Benitez wants to hold him back to ensure he is available for Tueday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

Another player missing tomorrow will be new signing Martin Skrtel, who picked up a calf injury in training this week.

Rafa added: 'Skrtel felt something in his calf the other day. He only mentioned it after training, and after speaking with the doctors we realised it could be a risk for the weekend. We need to check, but I don't think he will be available for the Barnsley game.'

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Arsenal vs Manchester United

Vidic vs Adebayor the key battle for Arsenal in the big show-down

The Serbian brick wall and the Togo roller coaster are set for a show-down in the biggest game of the FA Cup fifth round at Old Trafford on Saturday, as Manchester United entertain Arsenal.

Manchester United's ultra mean defender Nemanja Vidic has the job of stopping Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor, who is in blistering form and is aiming at scoring in 10 consecutive matches in the Saturday evening cup showdown.

Adebayor is big, strong and powerful with great heading ability, but he's also technically excellent and is very quick. Vidic though is a no-nonsense defender, who is also no slouch. It will make for a fascinating game - we can't wait!

Footy focus prediction? Manchester United to shade this one and ruin the Arsenal treble dream.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

FA Cup results: Everton 0-1 Oldham

The Toffees crash out to their lower league near neighbours
The dreaded 'r' word of rotation will be weighing heavily on the minds of supporters of one half of Merseyside today. However this time its the blue half of Merseyside cringing as David Moyes attempts at a rotation policy brought about a crushing FA Cup result.

Moyes made a host of changes that just didn't come off. After a bright start to this third round FA Cup tie, Oldham held Everton off with relative ease and Gary McDonald's stunning 25 yard effort just before half-time was enough to dump Everton out.

Moyes made a double substitution in the second half as it became apparent Oldham had the upper hand. Yakubu and Victor Anichebe replaced Vaughan and the woeful Thomas Gravesen. Yakubu almost rescued the Everton FA Cup campaign, hitting the upright with almost the last kick of the game. However it wasn't to be and Oldham secured a famous and fully deserved FA Cup victory.

FA Cup - Luton vs Liverpool, Everton vs Oldham

Benitez risking it all for rotation, as Moyes fears an upset
Whatever you say about Rafael Benitez, he is most certainly his own, very brave, man. As his position has become more and more weakened by recent results, he is prepared to risk it all by rotating his squad for the tricky FA Cup trip to Luton. Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hypia, and Agger are all likely to be rested or are injured for the third round FA Cup tie at Kenilworth Road. Lose this and surely his position will become untenable, especially as there are reports he has lost support in the board room.

Xabi Alonso would just like a win at Luton and isn't expecting a repeat of his sixty yard effort in the previous FA Cup clash at Kenilworth Road in season 2005/06, when Liverpool went all the way and lifted the FA Cup in a dramatic final against West Ham. Footy Focus prediction: Liverpool win to give Rafa some breathing space.

Elsewhere Everton's David Moyes has voiced his fears of an upset, as he prepares his team for the visit of Oldham. Given he's got a Tuesday Carling Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea he would like to rest some senior players, but is dreading a repeat of Everton going out of the FA Cup to Shrewsbury. Goodison Park should be a full house, for a traditional FA Cup ding-dong battle. Footy Focus prediction: Everton win.

Friday, January 4, 2008

FA Cup - Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Villa and Man United meet again in the FA Cup
Manchester United go into this 3rd round FA Cup game looking to maintain their outstanding form, while Martin O'Neill's young guns will be looking to lift Aston Villa's season from good to potentially great.

For United Carlos Tevez is doubtful while Gary Neville is expected to play some part, even if it is from the bench. van Der Sar and Rooney also return.

For Aston Villa, the focal point of their attack, John Carew is doubtful. Apart from that Aston Villa are injury free.

Footy focus prediction: Manchester United win.