Chelsea beat United to enter FA Cup semi-finals

A fantastic piece of skill from Chelsea forward Demba Ba saw the Blues register victory over Manchester United in their 6th Round replay in the FA Cup. The victory keeps them on course to gun for a 4th FA Cup title in a span of 5 years.

Chelsea made 6 changes from the team that lost to Southampton while United made 7 from the Sunderland trip. Captain John Terry went back to the bench with David Luiz replacing him and Juan Mata and Eden Hazard coming in. Sir Alex Ferguson changed his forward line completely with Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck coming in for Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa while Wayne Rooney sat out a second successive game with a groin injury picked up on international duty.

The game at Stamford Bridge was the second game in 3 days for both sides, each having played on Saturday in League action. In a lunch-time kick off at sun-bathed Stamford Bridge, both sides appeared to be tetchy early on and failed to put together a constructive array of passes to force the play. The first half was a drab affair with very few chances. David De Gea made the first real save of any kind in the 30th minute when he kept out a Ba shot on goal. Javier Hernandez, who has made quite a habit out of scoring against Chelsea, nearly embarrassed Blues keeper Petr Cech when he timed his dive a bit early and had to stick out his leg to keep out the Mexican's swerving shot.

United failed to create anything from the wings with Nani having an abject game and Tom Cleverley on the left tucking in a whole lot more. Phil Jones in midfield was a bright spot for the visitors cutting out attacks and looking to step on the ball when possible. The game gained a little tempo towards the end of the half with Chelsea's attacking trio of Mata, Hazard and Oscar having a bigger effect on the game.

And the hosts did come out looking the better side in the second half. 4 minutes in came the breakthrough; Mata found a bit of space for himself in midfield and clipped the ball forward over Rio Ferdinand. The ball looked to have been slightly overcooked, but Ba displayed superb skill as he met it with his outstretched right leg and directed it past De Gea into the top left corner as the Spanish keeper stood rooted to the spot.

The goal seemed to spur the home side and they were the better team in the remainder of the game. United's best chance came when Hernandez ran onto a Welbeck cross to head across at goal from close range, but veteran keeper Cech somehow kept the effort out with an outstretched arm. With nothing forthcoming, Sir Alex rang the changes as Van Persie and Giggs came on for the ineffectual Cleverley and Nani respectively. 

But it was Rafa Benitez's men who created the chances as they began to play the Red Devils out of the game. Mata brought out an excellent save from compatriot De Gea while Hazard and Oscar also had chances to double their side's lead which they put wide. Van Persie had a late chance to level the game but he hit his volley wide and that was that for United as Chelsea deservedly booked their place in the final four. The win meant the end of the Double dream for United who were looking to add the FA Cup crown to go with their 20th Premier League title that looks imminent.

Chelsea will play 2011 champions Manchester City for a place in the final. The game takes place at Wembley on the second weekend of April.

FA Cup Quarterfinals: Saturday, March 09

Everton 0-3 Wigan Athletic

It was a day to forget for David Moyes’ side as they were thrashed 3-0 by Wigan Athletic in front of their home fans. The Blues put in an insipid performance and didn't really look like recovering after they conceded 3 goals in as many minutes in the first half. Maynor Figueroa’s header followed by goals from Callum McMannaman and Jordi Gomez left the home fans at Goodison Park stunned as they saw their side being put to the sword by Roberto Martinez’s men. Marouane Fellaini, who has been one of the star performers for Moyes this season looked a forlorn figure and was jeered when he was subbed later in the game evincing a reaction from the Belgian who got into an altercation with some sections of the fans.

Manchester City 5-0 Barnsley

It was a 5-star performance, quite literally, from the English champions as they romped home in this mismatch of a semi-final against Championship side Barnsley. Carlos Tevez’s hat-trick set City on their way as their opponents were simply outclassed at the Etihad stadium. Tevez, fresh off being arrested for driving while being ineligible, continued his recent good run when he tapped in from close range to give City the lead on 10 minutes after David Silva’s shot rebounded off the post. The two were involved again for the second goal with Silva this time a willing provider as he set up Tevez for another simple finish. The Argentine then completed his hat-trick in the second half running on to a pass from Samir Nasri to finish beyond the keeper. He also added 2 assists as he repaid Kolarov and Silva for their assistance early in the game as they added City’s 4^th and 5^th goals of the evening. Barnsley who had reached the quarters felling some big names had no answer to the Sky Blues’ firepower as they were comfortably brushed aside.

SUNDAY’S FIXTURES

Milwall vs Blackburn Rovers

Manchester United vs Chelsea

Manchester United Move into Last eight of FA Cup

Manchester United booked their place in the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup with a 2-1 home win against Premier league opponents Reading. Second half goals from Nani & Javier Hernandez were enough to see United through in spite of a late goal for Reading by Jobi McAnuff.

Sir Alex Ferguson made wholesale changes to his team with only goalkeeper David de Gea, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck retained from the side that faced Real Madrid. Chicharito started up front with Welbeck, Anderson and Tom Cleverley came into central midfield while Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young donned the flanks. Club captain Nemanja Vidic made his return to central defence in the company of Chris Smalling while Phil Jones relocated to right back and Alexander Buttner replaced Patrice Evra at left back. Regulars Robin van Persie, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick all started on the bench, while Evra, Rafael, Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney sat out altogether.

United started slowly gradually working their way into the game as Reading were content to get bodies behind the ball keep the game level for as long as possible. The first real chance of the game came on 23 minutes when Cleverley let fly from just outside the box after the ball was neatly worked to him from the right by Jones and Valencia. Adam Federici saved the effort and off the rebound Ashley Young looked to pounce, but the flag had gone up for offside.

The first half continued to remain sluggish with United lacking incisiveness in the final third. On 41 minutes, Jones suffered a hard tackle and had to be subbed off as he looked to be moving gingerly. Portuguese winger Nani, who has seen few opportunities this season came on as Valencia went to right back. His first contribution was a superb first time volley from outside the box that clattered off the far post as Federici’s punch to keep out Welbeck’s effort fell to the Portuguese.

United came out much more positive in the second half with their midfield duo of Anderson and Cleverley beginning to exert more of an influence on the game. Anderson drove the Red Devils forward with his runs and crisp passing that opened up the Reading defence, United going ever closer to breaking the deadlock. Nani who looked sharp and menacing from the get go added much more impetus to United’s attack posing a bigger threat to Reading as the game went on. It was the Portuguese winger who gave United lead on 69 minutes as he took Valencia’s cut back on the run and toe poked it past Federici who was finally beaten. United doubled their advantage minutes later when Nani turned provider, whipping in a devilish cross from the right that Chicharito headed in.

United had further chances to tuck the game away, but Welbeck and Nani fluffed their efforts and off some lapse defending McAnuff pulled one back for the Royals. Sensing the danger, Sir Alex brought on Michael Carrick in place of Anderson to shore things up and hold the ball in midfield which helped the hosts eventually see out the game safely.

Man United will face the winners of the clash between Chelsea and Middlesbrough in the Quarterfinals.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Anderson/Nani – drove United forward from midfield and was instrumental in lifting the performance in the second half. Nani provided a spark to the side when he came on for the injured Jones and provided more of a threat from the right than earlier from Valencia.

Chelsea, Manchester City cruise in FA Cup

 Chelsea and Manchester City posted convincing wins taking care of their lower league opponents with minimum fuss to progress in the FA Cup.

In the early kick-off, Chelsea dished out a 4-0 thrashing of Brentford in their 4th Round replay at Stamford Bridge. Having held the Blues to a 2-2 draw at Griffin Road, Brentford got to half-time level at 0-0, though they could have easily been in front with a goal disallowed for offside.

That was the last positive note for the visitors, as the Chelsea picked up the pace in the second half to smash 4 past them with Juan Mata starting the proceedings with a fine effort from outside the box on 54 minutes. Brazilian Oscar then scored for a 2nd game running after netting the winner midweek at Sparta Prague to double the lead. Veterans Frank Lampard and John Terry then netted 1 each to seal Chelsea's progress into the 5th Round. Lampard, who tucked away Mata's cross with a neat volley, has now scored in 6 consecutive domestic games and moves closer to breaking Bobby Tambling's record of being the all time leading goal scorer for Chelsea.

Manchester City, not to be left behind, scripted a 4-0 demolition of their own; Neil Warnock's Leeds United being at the wrong end of the scoreline at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero scored a couple while Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez added 1 each to ensure City's smooth progression into the Quarterfinals.

After Saturday's results, Sunday turned out to be a good day for Premier league sides. Wigan Athletic also won their game away at Huddersfield 4-1, Arouna Kone leading the way with a brace. 

Chelsea face Middlesbrough in the 5th Round and if they were to come through that, they could potentially undertake a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, if the Red Devils beat Reading in their 5th Round tie on Monday.

FA Cup 5th Round: Saturday's results

Arsenal 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

"In Arsene we Trust" was a familiar chant that used to reverberate around Arsenal Football Club every time the Gunners encountered trying passages of time during a season. This season has been a difficult one, but that familiar chant is no longer to be heard. It got worse on Saturday as the Gunners faltered yet again en route to a 1-0 loss at home to Championship side Blackburn Rovers. 

Arsene Wenger fielded a weakened XI and was made to pay the price for it. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla & Theo Walcott were all rested with the big game midweek against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League in mind. Leading assister Lukas Podolski and Aaron Ramsey also started from the bench. Colin Kazim Richards scored the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute to give Rovers a famous away win. Ironically, it was after Wenger threw on the big 3 of Walcott, Wilshere & Cazorla to try and get a result that Blackburn went up the other end and got the winner. 

Arsenal enjoyed a lot of possession, but produced nothing significant out of it. A drab first half saw hardly any clear cut chances being created and the 2nd half saw much the same. Desperate for the win, Wenger rang in the changes, but it was Blackburn who eventually broke the deadlock and saw off a late Arsenal surge to secure the win as a cacophony of boos rang out around the Emirates.

Arsenal are now left standing in only the Champions League. They have now suffered 2 ignominious exits in Cup competitions, having fallen to League Two Bradford in the Carling Cup. 

Oldham Athletic 2-2 Everton

A last gasp winner from Matt Smith secured a 5th Round replay for Oldham against Premier League side Everton. Oldham opened the scoring at Boundary Park in the 13th minute through Jonathan Obita. Goals from Victor Anichebe and Phil Jagielka looked to have turned the tie in Everton's favour and it looked like David Moyes' men were heading to the Last eight of the competition. But, Oldham's 6'6 striker Smith, played hero once again, rising highest to head home in the 4th and final minute of Injury time to send the home fans into raptures.

Smith, had been the hero in the previous Round as well when his 2 goals helped see off Liverpool in Oldham's 3-2 win here at Boundary Park in January.

Other results of the day:
Milton Keynes Dons 1-3 Barnsley
Luton Town 0-3 Milwall

Sunday's fixtures see Chelsea host Brentford in their 4th Round replay while Manchester City play host to Neil Warnock's Leeds United. 

SUNDAY
Chelsea vs Brentford
Manchester City vs Leeds United
Huddersfield Town vs Wigan Athletic