FA Cup

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The big Four starts their campaign today to wrestle Portsmouth off the cup.

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Man City 0 Nottm F 3

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'AVE IT ... Nathan Tyson smacks home the opener for Forest


MEGABUCKS Manchester City were the big losers in the FA Cup third round.
Mark Hughes' men were stunned by first-half goals from Forest duo Nathan Tyson and Rob Earnshaw. And Joe Garner's late third put the seal on Forest's memorable afternoon. City unveiled ?10million signing Wayne Bridge before kick-off.

But the club's Arab owners must be wondering how much they need to invest after this defeat to the Championship strugglers. Forest's win has put added pressure on City boss Hughes, with his side also failing to impress in the Premier League this season. Lewis McGugan should have put Forest in front inside the opening 60 seconds but he headed Tyson's cross wide.
Matt Thornhill got in another header for the visitors but again it went the wrong side of the upright.

Elano saw a long-range drive deflected at the other end and his follow-up corner was met by Felipe Caicedo only for Paul Smith to make an excellent one-handed save. Daniel Sturridge?s long-range effort failed to test Smith before City were rocked when Shaun Wright-Phillips was forced off with a hamstring injury. Ian Breckin headed wide for the visitors with Wright-Phillips' replacement Darius Vassell still off the pitch removing his earrings. Vincent Kompany put his header wide from Elano's free-kick and Sturridge forced another good save from Smith from a tight angle.

But out of nowhere Forest took the lead when Micah Richards' headed clearance fell straight to Tyson who beat Joe Hart with a dipping 20-yard volley. It got worse for City four minutes later when Chris Cohen robbed Pablo Zabaleta by the touchline and crossed for Thornhill. The midfielder?s shot was off target but fell for Earnshaw, who turned it home from six yards. Garner wrapped things up on 75 minutes when he pounced on a mistake and blasted past Hart at his near post.


Arsenal 3-1 Plymouth

Chelsea 1-1 Southend

Coventry 2-0 Kidderminster

Forest Green 3-4 Derby

Hull 0-0 Newcastle

Kettering 2-0 Eastwood Town

Macclesfield 0-1 Everton

Man City 0-3 Nottm Forest

Middlesbrough 2-1 Barrow

Portsmouth 0-0 Bristol City

Sheff Wed 1-2 Fulham

Sunderland 2-1 Bolton

West Brom 1-1 Peterborough

West Ham 3-0 Barnsley

Chelsea couldn't score enough at home, they need to travel to Southend in order to progress.

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REF RAGE ... Jan Poortvliet confronts Mike Riley


Arsene's right about United


FUMING Southampton boss Jan Poortvliet last night insisted: ?Arsene Wenger says the 50-50 decisions always go with United ? and I agree with him.? The Championship strugglers were left reeling after accusing ref Mike Riley of making THREE massive howlers which helped Manchester United to a 3-0 victory at St Mary?s. Saints claimed Riley should not have sent off striker Matt Paterson, that Danny Welbeck was offside before he scored United?s opener and that a penalty for handball was wrongly given against David McGoldrick.

Poortvliet rapped: ?The referee is always a help for the top teams. Too many decisions went against us, you need neutral people. ?Alex Ferguson got out of his seat once in the first half and, from that point on, every decision went their way. ?No one knows my players so they get no protection from referees especially when they are playing against big stars. ?I was disappointed during the game by the decisions and I still am after watching the replays on television.
?With the red card the boy made a tackle on the ball with one foot ? not two as I was told. I know the boy well and it was a normal tackle.

?Even playing with 11 players it is very difficult playing against Manchester United. With 10 it is more difficult. ?It wasn?t a red card, then the first goal was offside and it was never a penalty for the second goal, either.? United boss Alex Ferguson hit back by claiming the Saints striker deserved to be sent off for his lunge on Nemanja Vidic. But then he insisted Riley could have handled the situation better. And, unusually, the Reds chief admitted his side got a lucky break with the harsh penalty decision ? awarded against McGoldrick as Nani blasted a 20-yard free-kick into the wall. Nani converted from the spot before sub Darron Gibson capped things off at the end.

Fergie said: ?I think the ref could have booked the boy in the first minute to calm him down.
?He was just a bit over enthusiastic but it was a rash challenge and he didn?t give him any option. ?If he?d have booked him for his challenge on Jonny Evans in the first minute it would have calmed him down. ?But for me it was a red card, it was high and it was the right decision.
?I can?t make my mind up on the penalty. I?m not too sure, it may have glanced his head.?
Striker Paterson, 19, was so upset he left the field in tears and apologised to his team-mates afterwards in the dressing room.

And, despite admitting his side were well beaten, Poortvliet?s claims could still land the raging Dutchman in hot water with the FA. He added: ?United showed us how to play football today but after the red card it wasn?t a real game any more. ?It?s sad for the fans and also a pity for my players because I think they deserved more than that. Normally you should have a game until the end but after the first goal and the sending off it was difficult to stay in the game. ?The heads went down after the penalty. They tried but not with the confidence of before. ?Normally I never have a reaction to the referee but believe me this year they are not in favour of my team.

?It is part of the game to make mistakes but in a big game like this for us it had something to do with my boys being unknown. ?You need the decisions to be the same for both sides and that?s what I missed today.? Saints skipper Kelvin Davis said: ?Matt was distraught afterwards and apologised to the guys. ?I feel so sorry for him because he tried to win the ball and didn?t deserve to be sent off. But he?s only a young lad and will learn from this.? Now Ferguson is hoping his side can go all the way. He added: ?We?re in the fourth round and a home draw is all you can ask for. ?We had Spurs last year and we beat them so it?s a good draw for us.?

Does Manu win by default?


While on the other front


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Fulham 0 Manchester United 4

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ARGEN-FINE ... Carlos Tevez celebrates his secnd
strike with his Manchester United team-mates



CARLOS TEVEZ kept Manchester United?s quest for the quintuple on track with a classy double to sink Fulham. The Argentine ace scored twice ? the second a stunner ? before Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park made it a romp. Alex Ferguson?s men are now booked into an FA Cup semi-final, to go with their Champions League and Premier League campaigns.
Going into the game the Scot made two changes to his starting XI, with Cristiano Ronaldo not in the squad.

The Portugese winger was rested, while striker Dimitar Berbatov dropped down to the bench.
Fulham meanwhile were unchanged from the side that were defeated by a last-gasp Hull goal in midweek. But while they were denied a point late on in that game, this tie was all but over at half time. Rooney and Tevez had both enjoyed good chances to score before the latter got the ball rolling on 20 minutes.

Anderson?s corner was flicked on by Rooney, with Tevez steered his header between the post and Paul Konchesky. Fulham almost bagged an immediate equaliser when Nemanja Vidic nearly caught out his own keeper with a header. Rooney was desperate to add No2, and almost did when a 50-yard lob flew just over Mark Schwarzer?s bar. But his spectacular effort was trumped by Tevez on 35 minutes. The frenetic striker picked up the ball on the halfway line before dribbling towards the Fulham goal an unleashing an unstoppable curler into the top righ-hand corner.

Rooney then struck the post when it was easier to score, but he didn?t have to wait long to get his goal. Rio Ferdinand was taken off at the break after appearing to pick up a knock, before his England team-mate grabbed the third five minutes later. Dickson Etuhu?s poor clearance found Rooney, who curled an effort from 20 yards that found the bottom corner. The third goal prompted Ferguson to take off O?Shea and give Richard Eckersley a run.

Fulham took off Johnson and Murphy, with Diomansy Kamara and Olivier Dacourt coming on.
Rooney had second-half tussles with Dempsey and Etuhu that almost boiled over ? he was taken off in the 64th minute to ensure a needless yellow card was avoided. Andf with nine minutes to go Park turned the game into a hiding. The Korean collected a misplaced pass before stroking the ball low into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy (Dacourt 57), Dempsey, Zamora (Gera 67), Johnson (Kamara 60). Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Stoor, Kallio. Booked: Pantsil, Dacourt.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O?Shea (Eckersley 52), Ferdinand (Evans 46), Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Rooney (Welbeck 64), Tevez. Subs Not Used: Foster, Berbatov, Giggs, Scholes.

Goals: Tevez 20, 35, Rooney 50, Park 81.

Will Mourinho spoil the party?

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Coventry 0 - Chelsea 2



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Didier Drogba rounds Kieran Westwood



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Didier Drogba, John Terry and Florent Malouda celebrate


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Alex is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring

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Arsenal 3 Burnley 0

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CUP JOY ... Stand-in skipper Eduardo celebrates his strike


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Eduardo is held back by Clarke Carlisle

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Eduardo clips home No2 for Arsenal


ARSENAL turned on the style as Eduardo, Carlos Vela and Emmanuel Eboue disposed of Burnley at the Emirates. This may have been an FA Cup fifth round clash on a weekend of quarter-finals, but the two goals made it worth the wait. Mexican whizkid Vela broke the deadlock on 25 minutes, with a beautifully crafted chip over Brian Jensen in the Burnley net. Just moments into the second half Eduardo unleashed a cheeky sidefoot volley to cap his day as stand-in captain.

And with six minutes left of the game, Eboue capped a typically flowing move with a low drive after bursting into the box. Arsene Wenger?s men will now take on Hull in next round.

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Manu will face Everton in the semi final of FA cup while Chelsea will wait for the outcome of Arsenal Vs Hull.

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Looking forwards for great semis and final- probably Man U vs. Chelsea, hhaaa hhaaa!

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Arsenal 2 Hull 1


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LEVEL BEST ... Robin Van Persie pounces for the Arsenal equaliser



A HOTLY-CONTESTED goal from William Gallas dumped Hull out the Cup as Arsenal conjured up a dramatic reverse. The Frenchman bundled home after stopper Boaz Myhill flapped at a free-kick - despite replays suggesting the star was well offside. Ex-Spurs star Nick Barmby had earlier fired Hull into a shock lead before Robin van Persie grabbed one back.



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Arsenal celebrate William Gallas? winner


Who said Gallas was a loner?!... Wondering!!!

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Hull (Tigers) bad losers have accused Fabregas of spitting on their assistant manager on his feet after the match in the tunnel. Arsene said he left early so he did not see anything ...................................more stories to come about this...

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Hull boss Phil Brown claims Ces Fabregas spat
at his assistant Brian Horton after the FA Cup defeat at Arsenal.



Hull City boss Phil Brown accused Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas of spitting at his assistant Brian Horton at the end of their stormy FA Cup quarter-final. Arsenal scored twice late on to win 2-1 at the Emirates and seal a last-four date against Chelsea at Wembley. Brown said: "For their club captain Cesc Fabregas to spit at my assistant at the end of the game shows you what this club is all about."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "I know nothing about that at all." Fabregas, who is recovering from knee surgery, joined his team-mates on the pitch at the final whistle after two goals in the last 16 minutes from Robin van Persie and a disputed header from William Gallas cancelled out Nick Barmby's early strike. Brown added: "I was there and I witnessed it, he spat at my assistant manager down the tunnel, that's their club captain. Hopefully he's proud of himself. He spat at his feet."

Hull's boss was furious after the defeat, as the game ended without the two managers shaking hands, criticising referee Mike Riley and his officials of succumbing to pressure from Arsenal and boss Wenger. He said: "The game was turned on its head when the referee succumbed to local pressure." Brown also condemned his Arsenal counterpart's behaviour as The Emirates crowd taunted Hull for what they saw as time-wasting. He said: "Mr. Wenger decides to join in and the result is my goalkeeper getting booked in the second half.

"Arsene Wenger got my goalkeeper booked. You call that good management? He was complaining about time-wasting. It's an absolute disgrace." Brown added: "We haven't been beaten by Arsenal, and they are fourth top of the Premier League. We have been beaten by a linesman's decision and a referee's decision for Gallas' goal." Wenger insisted he knew nothing of any incident between Fabregas and Horton, saying: "I don't know about that at all. I was quite relaxed tonight I must tell you, and I don't know what to tell you."

Ask Arsene!

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From promising youngster to the heartbeat of the Arsenal side - Cesc has come a long way since joining the club as a 16-year-old in September 2003. Likeable and level-headed off the pitch, Cesc is the complete midfielder on it. He has always been tigerish in the tackle and blessed with wonderful technique and vision, but Cesc added a new dimension to his game last season - goals, and plenty of them. He netted seven times in his first nine games and, although that scoring rate fell away, Cesc still ended up with 13 in all competitions. There were some belters too, including long-range efforts at Tottenham and Milan.

To nobody's surprise, the fulcrum of Ars?ne Wenger's side walked away with Arsenal.com's Player of the Season award for the second successive year. He has plenty of admirers outside Emirates Stadium too, not least among his peers - they voted him PFA Young Player of the Year.
The Spaniard first came to prominence at the Under-17s World Cup when he walked off with awards for best player and top scorer. Soon after arriving from Barcelona he became Arsenal's youngest ever player and scorer. By the time he had left his teenage years behind, Cesc had surpassed 150 appearances for the Club.

Of course, the 21-year-old is now also a fixture in Spain's national squad and played a major role in his country's Euro 2008 triumph. Cesc came off the bench to devastating effect in the group stage and netted a penalty shoot-out winner against Italy in the Quarter-Finals - his first spot-kick as a professional.

Sakata la kiungo machachari kutoka Spain bado linaendelea na huenda akaitwa na FA kwenda kutoa ushahidi lakini inaelekea hizi ni njama kuwa-derail Arsenal katika azma yao ya kunyakua kikombe chochote msimu huu.


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Did he spit? Didn't he? Whats new!

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Fabregas v Essien



FA Cup semi-final


Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Saturday, 18 April Kick-off: 1715 BST


If anyone doubted the value of Cesc Fabregas to Arsenal or Michael Essien to Chelsea, 2008/09 might well go down as the season that they became almost priceless to their clubs. Between them, Fabregas and Essien have missed over nine months of the season through injury and, without them, their clubs have suffered dearly. At one stage Arsenal could not buy a win and suffered intense criticism as they struggled to keep pace with the Premier League's leaders Liverpool and Manchester United, let alone mount a title challenge.
Chelsea's slump in form resulted in a change of manager for the fourth time since 2004.
But both sides have turned the corner in dramatic fashion to reignite their bids for silverware and, by no coincidence, it is Fabregas and Essien who are spearheading those assaults.
On Saturday the sides meet in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley and with two of their most influential stars fit and refreshed, the stage could be set for a classic encounter.

"Big players make the difference at big moments and on big occasions," former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit told BBC Sport. "If you saw Fabregas in the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal, it wasn't his best game but with one touch he gave the perfect pass for Adebayor to score a great goal. "If it wasn't Fabregas on the ball at that moment I couldn't imagine any other player doing that because they don't have the same vision or technique.

"It's similar with Essien. Since returning he has scored an important goal against Juventus, another at home against Manchester City and dominated Steven Gerrard in Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Liverpool." Fabregas' telling contribution against Villarreal arrived in just his second match back following three months out with knee ligament damage, while Essien's crucial goals against Juventus and Manchester City came in his first two starts after six months on the sidelines, also with a knee injury. The pair have faced each other on six occasions already but with Fabregas currently being deployed in a more advanced position and Essien occupying his preferred holding role, two of the world's leading midfielders are set to go toe-to-toe for the first time.

Direct comparisons are sure to be drawn before, during and after the match, but Fabregas and Essien are two very different players from equally divergent backgrounds. Fabregas was born in the Spanish coastal town of Arenys de Mar, just north of Barcelona, and from the moment the young Catalan could walk, his mother Nuria claims he was interested in playing with nothing other than a ball.

After showing remarkable promise in his school teams, Fabregas joined nearby club Mataro, where he was discovered by Barcelona youth team coach Rodolf Borrell. Matero tried hard to hold onto their boy by hiding him - Fabregas was substituted when club officials saw Borrell arrive to watch a pre-season friendly in 1996 - but his move to Barca was only a matter of time.
"Not only was he a fantastic player but he was one year younger than the rest," Borrell told BBC Sport. "Off the pitch he was very shy but on the pitch he was aggressive and highly competitive.
"One of the best qualities was his view of the game - he always chose the best option for the team and this is something you either have or you don't.

"He then had the technical quality to make an excellent pass - short, medium and long distance. A lot of people have one but not all three. Cesc had all of them." Playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Victor Valdes at Barca's La Cantera academy, Fabregas built his early reputation around style and technique, idolising Pep Guardiola and wearing the number four shirt like his hero.

"When Cesc was in his second year here his parents started a process of divorce," said Borrell. "His mother called to tell me and at the start of the next week he was a little bit upset and you could see it in training and during the matches. "I knew his idol was Guardiola so I went to first-team training, explained the situation to him and asked if he could give me a shirt dedicated to Cesc.

"So Guardiola took a shirt, wrote a long message on in and dedicated it to him. The next day I told Cesc I knew what his parents were going through and when he started to cry I presented him the shirt. It is something he still remembers." Essien, four-and-a-half years older than Fabregas, was also generating attention as he developed into a menacing young defender whose game was based on power and strength, which would later prompt team-mates to nickname him the "The Bison". Growing up in the central Ghanaian town of Ewutu Bwajiase, he would play street football with friends during the week before competing in eight or nine matches every weekend.

"As a child you play in the streets and alleys and when the older players hear you are a good player they want to teach you a lesson," said African football expert Ibrahim Sannie. "But the younger boys relish the chance to play against them to show they are good enough, and that experience has carried Essien to where he is today. "Even though he is good on the ball his key characteristics are strength and power and that definitely comes from his beginnings."
Essien earned a scholarship to St Augustine's College, a highly respected boarding school in Cape Coast, where he studied hard and was granted permission to play for local teams at weekends.

After graduating from St Augustine's his game was developed at Liberty Professionals, but a move to French side Bastia in Corsica would soon await. "Going to Europe early did a lot of good for him; his talent was honed and he was taught about discipline, on-field responsibilities and tactics," said Sannie. Essien was used anywhere across the back four but mainly at centre-half. That was until an injury to a team-mate meant he was asked to play in central midfield and he never looked back. Work permit complications prevented a move to Manchester United - the team Essien supported as a child - where he might have become the long-term successor to his role model Roy Keane.

Instead the Ghanaian ended up at Lyon and the two years he spent with the French club saw him excel as a dynamic, driving, box-to-box midfielder and his performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League resulted in a ?24.4m move to Stamford Bridge in August 2005. A deeply religious person, Essien spends a lot of time and money on charitable commitments in Ghana as well as helping friends and family financially. He is particularly close to his mother Aba.
"Essien was the one boy among five girls so he has always been a mummy's boy," said Sannie. "Aba listens to radio every morning to hear news about him and if they say something she doesn't like she rings in to complain. "If there's anything wrong with his mother his mood will change. He was once with the national team and got a phone call when he was eating to say his mother was not well. All of a sudden his mood changed, he stopped eating and became edgy.

"The last time he took a penalty kick he missed and his mother was taken to hospital after collapsing. For the sake of his mother he will not take a penalty kick again." Fabregas' arrival in England came by a less circuitous route. Unable to sign a contract with Barcelona until the age of 16, he agreed a free transfer to Highbury in 2003 having just won the golden boot and most valuable player awards at the 2003 Under-17 World Championship. "We were very sad because everybody knew he was a fantastic player," said Borrell. "But if you had told anyone that in one year at Arsenal his progress would have been so great they would have not listened to you.

"He is an excellent player with high qualities but the way he developed in Arsenal has been just incredible. You just don't see that sort of thing. "Cesc is now one of the most complete players in the world. He might not have the technical ability of Xavi or Iniesta but they don't have as much capacity to defend and Cesc can play in more positions." Yet for all Fabregas' sublime midfield interventions, the Spaniard has won just one trophy with Arsenal - the 2005 FA Cup - while, in contrast, Essien has helped Chelsea win the Premier League title in 2006, as well as the FA Cup and Carling Cup in 2007.

Both players have suffered the pain of reaching and losing Champions League finals - Fabregas in 2006 when Arsenal lost to Barcelona and Essien last year when Chelsea lost to Manchester United - while the Spaniard helped his country win Euro 2008. "Essien is more physical and powerful than Fabregas but also has great technique," said Petit. "Fabregas has greater ability and movement and is tactically better. "But if you could take both players and make one player, that would be the perfect player."

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DIDIER DROGBA fired Chelsea into the FA Cup final after a tense London derby at Wembley. It was always going to take something special or perhaps comical to separate the teams that lie third and fourth in the Premier League. When the winning goal came six minutes from time it was as much down to Arsenal's sluggishness as it was Drogba's determination to win the game.

Bursting towards the left corner of the penalty area, he escaped from a pedestrian Mikael Silvestre only to find Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski attempting to mount a challenge on the edge of the box. Easily rounding the Pole, Drogba slid the ball into the empty goal to book Chelsea's final place against the winners of the Manchesetr United-Everton tie.

Arsenal had taken the lead after 18 minutes when Theo Walcott's far-post volley had ricocheted off Chelsea defender Ashley Cole's hand to beat Petr Cech. Chelsea equalised just after the half hour mark when Florent Malouda jinked on the left edge of Arsenal's area before drilling a shot past the challenge of Emmanuel Eboue and a flailing Fabianski, who was beaten inside his near post.



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FINAL SAY... Didier Drogba races past Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski to score Chelsea's winning goal

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Arsenal?s Theo Walcott scores past Petr Cech

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Manchester Utd 0 Everton 0 (aet)

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PENALTY KING ... Tim Howard celebrates with the Everton fans



TIM HOWARD was the hero as Everton booted Manchester United out of the FA Cup on penalties. The American ended his former club's dream of the Quintuple with two penalty saves, after the two sides had scrapped out a 0-0 stalemate at Wembley. Things had look desperate for David Moyes' side, after Tim Chaill had blasted over the first spot kick. But Howard spared his blushes, with saves from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand securing a first FA Cup final since their famous win over United in 1995.


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Everton celebrate


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Tim Cahill and Anderson go up for the ball

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Steven Pienaar and Carlos Tevez



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Nemanja Vidic tackles Leon Osman


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Alex Ferguson is furious after a penalty decision is turned down


He was given 5 penalties on extra time.

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Ferguson fumes at the decision


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Tim Howard saves from Rio Ferdinand

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The Guus is going back ... ... who will replace him


Terry in shock after being named as the one who master minded the special one to be sacked from Stamford Bridge before they encounter Everton ... ... ... and guess who named him Claude Makelele


GUUS HIDDINK terminates his time as Chelsea coach today - but has warned: I'll be back! And the Blues boss, who bows out of English football after the FA Cup final with Everton, even rides a Harley Davidson just like the Terminator made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger! But Hiddink has stunned Chelsea by admitting he would consider a return to the Premier League with one of their rivals.

The Dutchman professed he has fallen in love with the Blues but left the door open for a return to England should he get the right offer. And his confession will have every Premier League club on Hiddink alert. He said: "I can't close other options. Say that I want to come back to the Premier League in two years but Chelsea are doing well and say they don't need me.

"Then I cannot say I must not go to another club. I think that's fair enough. "I care very much about Chelsea, about the players. You cannot say you wouldn't. "I said once in Spain I would stop and that was seven or eight years ago and I'm still here in this tracksuit. I don't know. I cannot say. .... .... ...

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1'? GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!!! Pienaar with a ball in from the left, Fellaini wins a header and the ball drops to SAHA...WHO VOLLEYS FIRST-TIME PAST PETR CECH FROM 15 YARDS TO GIVE EVERTON A SENSATIONAL LEAD!!!!

Everton 1 - 0 Chelsea

15 minutes gone

Actualy the goal came at 25 seconds.

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Drogba squares up 1 -1 game on ...



21' GOOOOAAAALLL!!! Anelka drifts across from right to left and finds Malouda, who centres for DROGBA TO HEAD EMPHATICALLY PAST HOWARD FROM 10 YARDS!!! Chelsea are level!!

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Everton 1 - 1 Chelsea

Wembley today has a temperature of 41 degrees celcius, the hottest this year so far. Half time.

Second half just started 50th minute ... ... counting.

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67 minutes gone 1 - 1

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72'GOAL!!! LAMPARD TURNS NEVILLE AND SHOOTS LEFT-FOOTED PAST HOWARD FROM 20 YARDS INTO THE TOP CORNER!! WHat a goal from the England midfielder!!!

Its all Over - Chelsea have won the FA cup by winning against everton 2 - 1

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Everton supporters taunt Chelsea?s defence


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Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink greets former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

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Everton supporters arrive at Wembley

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Louis Saha scored for Everton


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Steven Pienaar helps Louis Saha celebrate


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Steven Pienaar holds off Chelsea?s John Mikel Obi

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Everton keeper Tim Howard celebrates

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Didier Drogba levelled the match on the 21st minute

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Drogba celebrates


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Chelsea chief Guus Hiddink stands in front of the Everton box

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Steven Piennaar is upended by Chelsea Mikel Obi

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Lampard makes it 2 for Chelsea

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Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink celebrates as Everton chief David Moyes laments


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Terry and co. celebrates ......

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One of the first banners to be unveiled on cup final day



FRANK LAMPARD gave Guus Hiddink the perfect send-off at Chelsea with a brilliant FA Cup winner.

Lamps netted the decider 18 minutes from time after Didier Drogba had cancelled out Louis Saha's strike after just 25 SECONDS. Hiddink now returns to his full-time role as Russia coach having secured Chelsea's first silverware in two years. Lampard's goal was his 20th of another superb campaign. He outfoxed Phil Neville on the edge of the box before unleashing a left-footed drive beyond Tim Howard.

The result gave Chelsea defender Ashley Cole a fifth FA Cup winners' medal - a feat not achieved since the 19th century. Saha's effort was the fastest goal in FA Cup final history. But it will mean little to Everton after they were overpowered by the Londoners at a sun-baked Wembley. Saha might have felt the FA Cup owed him one after previously missing four chances at playing in the showpiece. The French star sat out one final with Newcastle and three while at Manchester United through suspension and injury. His goal beat the 42-second strike by Roberto di Matteo for Chelsea against Middlesbrough in the 1997 final.

Chelsea could have felt aggrieved after TV replays showed Steven Pienaar was in an offside position when he received the ball in the build-up to the quick-fire opener. But play carried on and when Michael Essien only partially cleared, Saha was quickly on to the loose ball and drilled a first-time effort past Petr Cech and inside the near post from 16 yards. Chelsea eventually settled and after 14 minutes Essien had their first sight of goal with an instant snapshot that soared over. Marouane Fellaini gave John Terry a scare as he ghosted in behind but he could not quite reach Pienaar's fine cross.

Chelsea were back on level terms on 21 minutes as Drogba found space between Joleon Lescott and Joseph Yobo to emphatically head home Florent Malouda's centre. Two minutes later, Lampard tried his luck from 25 yards only to see the ball flash over. Howard had no trouble dealing with Nicolas Anelka's ambitious volley just after the half hour. Two minutes before the break, John Obi Mikel dithered on the ball in central midfield but a huge ricochet sent Ashley Cole clear down the left. The Blues left-back looked for options but, with no one up in support, went for goal and ended up with his head in his hands after screwing his drive well wide. Tony Hibbert was subbed at the break after being ran ragged by Malouda in the first half. Lars Jacobsen was his replacement.

Despite the pitchside temperature hitting 41 degrees, Anelka was still full of running an hour into the game and a quick one-two put him beyond the Everton backline only for his lob to drop over. Hiddink sent on Michael Ballack moments later but the action switched to the Chelsea box with Cech needing to watch Tim Cahill's solid drive from distance. Saha should have done better on 67 minutes when he headed over when unmarked from an inviting Leighton Baines cross. Malouda again found space down the Everton right and he fired in a cross which was too quick for Drogba to direct goalwards.

But Lampard finally made Chelsea's superiority count on 72 minutes as he turned Neville and shifted the ball from his right to left to find space just outside the box. He let rip and arrowed the ball past Howard to see off Everton. Malouda almost rounded off a four-man Chelsea counter-attack before his next effort beat Howard but bounced back off the bar and appeared to land over the line before the American keeper recovered to catch the ball. Anelka broke free in injury-time but again his lob was just too high.

Congratulations to Chelsea.

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FA cup this weekend - Fungua mwaka 2010

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Aston Villa 3 - 1 Blackburn

Blackpool 1 - 2 Ipswich

Bolton 4 - 0 Lincoln City

Everton 3 - 1 Carlisle

Fulham 1 - 0 Swindon

Huddersfield 0 - 2 West Brom

Leicester 2 - 1 Swansea

Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Man City

Millwall 1 - 1 Derby

MK Dons 1 - 2 Burnley

Nottm Forest 0 - 0 Birmingham

Plymouth 0 - 0 Newcastle

Portsmouth 1 - 1 Coventry

Preston 7 - 0 Colchester

Reading 1 - 1 Liverpool

Scunthorpe 1 - 0 Barnsley

Sheff Wed 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

Southampton 1 - 0 Luton

Stoke 3 - 1 York

Sunderland 3 - 0 Barrow

Torquay 0 - 1 Brighton

Tottenham 4 - 0 Peterborough

Wigan 4 - 1 Hull


Liverpool watarudiana na Reading Anfield ....

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Chelsea 5 - 0 Watford

Man Utd 0 - 1 Leeds United

Sheff Utd 1 - 1 QPR

Tranmere 0 - 0 Wolves

West Ham 1 - 2 Arsenal


Duh timu mbovu afadhali zimepungua next round itakuwa nafuu. Ooops sio mbovu Manu is not timu mbovu ... ....




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ALEX FERGUSON was furious with his players after their shock FA Cup defeat to Leeds. Jermaine Beckford's first-half goal consigned Manchester United to their first third-round FA Cup exit since they were beaten by Bournemouth in 1984.

Ferguson could offer up no excuse for his side's defeat but vowed to wield the axe ahead of the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Manchester City on Wednesday. He fumed: "We have a semi-final on Wednesday night and a lot of these players today won't be playing. "You have to view that performance in its right light. "I am shocked by the performance because our preparation for the game was very good. But we never got going. "The quality of the passing and whole performance was bad."

Ferguson could not resist a dig at the officials, claiming a broken second half deserved more than the five minutes of added time it received. He said: "The referee gave five minutes. That is an insult to the game and the players out there." Referee Chris Foy was not the only man to get both barrels, with Ferguson blaming all of his players bar sub Antonio Valencia for the performance. He added: "I don't think any of them can say they had a good day. "It took us 10 minutes to find him but only Valencia can say he had a good performance. "You have to get over these kind of results quickly. We have to make sure we are ready for Wednesday."



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Jermaine Beckford akishangilia goli la ushindi


Nyoyo za Manure hawatamsahau huyu kijana

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Wayne Rooney hakufua dafu kwa vijana wa Leeds


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Baada ya dakika ya 19 Leeds wanaandika bao la kwanza
Beckford anatingisha nyavu


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Jason Crowe anaondoa kombora la Rooney kutoka kwenye goal line


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Wes Brown kwenye purukushani na wachezaji wa Leeds

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Daniel Sturridge baada ya kufunga goli


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John Eustace anajifunga kuwazawadia Chelsea


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Florent Malouda akisheherekea goli la tatu

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Kombora la Lampard likitinga golini


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Sturridge baada ya kufunga goli la mwisho


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Carlos Vela akijaribu kuwapita West Ham



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West Ham wakifanya vitu vyao

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Alessandro Diamanti akisheherekea goli


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Aaron Ramsey baada ya kusawazisha

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Simon Grayson ndiye boss wa Leeds. Ilibidi abadili mbinu
baada ya Giggs, Valencia na Owen kuingia


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Owen akijaribu bahati yake


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Leeds wakishangilia ushindi mnono

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PAIN IN THE NECK ... Abou Diaby faces up to Luis Jimenez's high challenge

Hivi huko majuu ndio mnacheza kabumbu namna hii?

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Birmingham 1 - 0 Nottm Forest

Bristol City 1 - 1 Cardiff

Coventry 1 - 2 Portsmouth (After Extra Time)

Derby 1 - 1 Millwall (Derby win 5-3 on penalties)

QPR 2 - 3 Sheff Utd

Liverpool 1 - 2 Reading After Extra Time

Newcastle 3 - 0 Plymouth

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Simon Church alikuwa hatari na kuweka heka heka
langoni kwa Liverpool




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Torres aligongwa hivyo hakuweza kucheza kipindi cha pili



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Purukushani za Gerald zilizaa matunda katika dakika za mwisho kipindi cha kwanza


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Gylfi Sigurdsson anfunga penalty kwenye dakika
za majeruhi kulazimisha Extra time

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Reading wakishehereka



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Brynjar Gunnarsson anaweka kichwa kwa Shane Long kumalizia goli la ushindi


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Reading walikuwa kwenye anga nyingine



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Peter Lovenkrands anafunga kwa NewCastle

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Peter Lovenkrands anapata hat-trick yake




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THERE is an icy blast across the country but all the heat is focused on Rafa Benitez. The Liverpool boss has run out of excuses - and now you wonder how long it will be before the club's owners run out of patience with him. This was as bad as it gets in a shocker of a season in which the Reds have been bundled out of the Champions League and plummeted out of contention in the Premier League title race. The FA Cup was the only domestic trophy Liverpool had left to fight for and that has gone too - after Championship strugglers Reading came to town and performed magnificently. The Kop are turning on their manager for the first time. They have been incredibly loyal to the Spanish boss but this was just too much. Seeing the Royals, who are fighting against relegation to League One, taking the game to them at Anfield and dominating was embarrassing.

They were unlucky not to win the first game at the Madejski Stadium and Shane Long's extra-time clincher was just reward for their efforts. What a boost this will be to caretaker-boss Brian McDermott, who must surely get the job full-time now. Manchester United's loss to Leeds at Old Trafford was a sensational cup upset - but Liverpool's defeat was much more significant. Legends like Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush sat ashen-faced in the directors' box, contemplating how it has come to this. This was the strongest team Rafa had available, apart from resting keeper Pepe Reina for Diego Cavalieri. And from the moment the Italian punched away Gylfi Sigurdsson's early free-kick, it was clear Reading were not going to roll over.

McDermott's marauders should have been ahead when Simon Church, scorer in the first game, easily beat the flat-footed Daniel Agger and his low cross was an absolute belter. Jamie Carragher did not know whether to stick or twist and ended up letting the ball go - much to the surprise of Grzegorz Raziak who shinned the ball wide from four yards. Soon after, livewire Jobi McAnuff sprinted away after a Liverpool corner was cleared and his cross was begging Church to head home. Church launched himself forward six yards out but totally failed to connect and Liverpool escaped again. The Reds announced the acquisition of Argy attacking midfielder Maxi Rodriguez on a 3?-year contract before kick-off and he was introduced to the crowd. He must have wished he had only signed in pencil and that he could rub his name out after this shambles.

Liverpool's cause was not helped by losing Torres before the half-hour. The Spaniard was clattered early on by Reading centre-back Matthew Mills, twisting his knee in the process, and never properly recovered. Yet his team-mates forced a goal just before the break, although it was a move which summed up their performance - scruffy. Steven Gerrard burst into the box, took a return from David Ngog, and then side-footed a cross which went in off the unfortunate Ryan Bertrand. However, Gerrard felt a twinge to his hamstring and did not return for the second half. Reading seemed destined to finish the night as plucky losers as skipper Ivar Ingimarsson put a great headed chance wide from four yards. Then with 10 minutes left McAnuff made a sensational 60-yard run into the penalty area and was faced with a one-on-one against Cavalieri.

Had he scored it would have been one of the greatest FA Cup goals of all-time but he shot agonisingly wide. Sigurdssson was also denied by Cavalieri but, in the final minute, substitute Long was clipped by Yossi Benayoun and ref Phil Dowd pointed to the spot. Up stepped Sigurdsson, who calmly despatched his spot-kick to take the game into extra-time. The Royals tails were up and they were not interested in holding out for penalties. And as the clock ticked over to the 100th minute, a sensational run down the right by Brynjar Gunnarsson opened up the Liverpool defence and his cross was perfect for Long who glanced home a header. The dream was well and truly on for Reading and the nightmare was becoming a reality for Liverpool. There was brief hope when Benayoun broke through with only Adam Federici to beat but the keeper stayed strong and got down to save. Reading have suffered since relegation so it was only right that they milked a famous moment of triumph. As for Liverpool, the recriminations are going to be hard and long. Rafa surely cannot survive much longer.

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Mechi za leo 23/01/2010:


Accrington 1 - 3 Fulham

Aston Villa 3 - 2 Brighton

Bolton 2 - 0 Sheff Utd

Cardiff 4 - 2 Leicester

Derby 1 - 0 Doncaster

Everton 1 - 2 Birmingham

Notts County 2 - 2 Wigan

Portsmouth 2- 1 Sunderland

Preston 0 - 2 Chelsea

Reading 1 - 0 Burnley

Southampton 2 - 0 Ipswich

Tottenham 2 - 2 Leeds United

West Brom 4 - 2 Newcastle

Wolves 2 - 2 Crystal Palace

[Ach-F]

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Accrington Stanley v Fulham {Michael Symes anaweka goli kwa cottagers}





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Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion -
Villa walipotunguliwa moja bila kabla ya kurudisha



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Everton v Birmingham


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Barry Ferguson anaweka chuma cha pili kwa Birmingham

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Notts County v Wigan - Lee Hughes alipoandika bao



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Portsmouth v Sunderland darren Bent anaweka chuma wavuni

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John Utaka baada ya kusawazisha


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Wanderers v Wolverhampton

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David Jones anaweka chuma


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Chelsea v Preston


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Preston wakiwapa kash kash Chelsea



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Daniel Sturridge anafunga goli la pili kwa Chelsea

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Jermainr Beckford anafunga kwa upande wa Leeds United kusawazisha


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Roman pavlyuchenko anaweka goli la pili kwa Spurs


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Beckford anaweka chuma cha pili kuwaalika Spurs Leeds kwenye marudiano
timu iliyowaadhiri Manure bado ipo

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Scunthorpe United 2 - 4 Man City

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Paul Hayes akiwapa heka heka Man City




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Scunthorpe wanaweka chuma wavuni



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City baada ya kusawazisha

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Sylvinho anaweka goli


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Goli la pili kwa scan


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Robinho anaweka goli kukata mzizi wa fitna



Stoke 3 - 1 Arsenal


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Sol Campbell anaanza kucheza kwa Gunners

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Stoke wanaweka goli la kwanza



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Fabregas alikuwepo



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Arsenal baada ya kusawazisha 1 - 1



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Stoke wanapata goli la pili

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Stoke wanafunga goli la tatu






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[Ach-F]

Mechi za leo:




Southampton 1 - 4 Portsmouth

Chelsea 4 - 1 Cardiff

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Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City: The Championship side travel to Stamford Bridge hoping to pull off one of the shocks of the round but find themselves a goal down after only two minutes when Didier Drogba scores



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Instead of capitulating, the visitors regroup and find themselves back on level terms in the 34th minute when Michael Chopra heads home from Chris Burke's cross after easily losing his marker Alex



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The reigning cup holders recover from this setback and regain the lead early in the second half when Cardiff fail to clear Drogba's pass and Michael Ballack canters through to score


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With just over 20 minutes to go, Daniel Sturridge grabs
his fourth goal of this FA Cup campaign to make it 3-1 and effectively
put the match beyond their opponents

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Chelsea make sure of their place in the quarter-finals when a fine header from Salomon Kalou beats
goalkeeper David Marshall in the closing minutes


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Southampton 1-4 Portsmouth: After netting an injury time equaliser against Sunderland in midweek, Aruna Dindane looks to open the scoring for Pompey in this fiercely contested Hampshire derby


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After a goalless first half, it is the visitors who eventually break the deadlock in the 66th minute when substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeyie curls a lovely effort around goalkeeper Kelvin Davis


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Their lead is shortlived, however, as a free-kick finds its way to top scorer Rickie Lambert who guides it home with the back of his head for the League One side

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Sadly for the underdogs they fail to build any further momentum and see goals from Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O'Hara (pictured) send their Premier League opponents into the last eight

[Ach-F]

Derby 1 - 2 Birmingham

Reading 2 - 2 West Brom


Man City 1 - 1 Stoke

[Ach-F]

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Derby County 1-2 Birmingham City: With confidence high after a midweek win over Newcastle, the Rams take a 55th-minute lead through Jay McEveley who fires in a shot which goalkeeper Joe Hart fails to deal with



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The Premier League side respond well and get an equaliser when Scott Dann heads home from James McFadden's corner with just over 15 minutes to go



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The Championship side battle on and look like earning a replay until Liam Ridgewell prods home an injury-time winner after Kevin Phillips's shot comes back off the post



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Reading 2-2 West Bromwich Albion: After beating Premier League sides Liverpool and Burnley in the previous two rounds, the Royals entertain the Baggies and have Jimmy Kebe to thank for a goal after only nine seconds

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Robert Koren equalises for West Brom before the interval, both sides have a man sent off after the break before Simon Church restores Reading's lead in the 73rd minute


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However, Brian McDermott's side are denied a place in the last eight when Joe Mattock pops up with an 87th-minute equaliser to force a replay at The Hawthorns


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Manchester City 1-1 Stoke City: With international rival Ashley Cole picking up an injury in midweek, Wayne Bridge starts for City and sets about trying to impress watching England boss Fabio Capello


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With the prize of a quarter-final place up for grabs, the big-spending hosts take an 11th-minute lead when Shaun Wright-Phillips taps in after an error by Ryan Shawcross

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Stoke receive another setback when winger Matthew Etherington slips while trying to tackle Bridge and is taken off with a suspected a medial knee ligament injury


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He is replaced by Liam Lawrence but he too comes a cropper and has to leave the action as the Potters endure a bruising first half


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Despite these problems, it is the visitors who are next to find the net shortly before the hour when substitute Rory Delap powers one of his trademark long throws into the box where Ricardo Fuller heads it in


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Striker Roque Santa Cruz is among those who go close to winning the tie but another goal does not materialise as the sides have to settle for a replay

[Ach-F]

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Ushindi mnono

[Ach-F]

Bolton 1 -1 Tottenham

Crystal Palace 2 - 2 Aston Villa

Fulham 4 - 0 Notts County

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Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: A far from full Reebok Stadium greets the players as this fifth round tie gets under way on Sunday lunchtime


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Luka Modric puts pressure on Bolton's Gretar Steinsson as the London club look for an early goal on their visit to Greater Manchester


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As the half goes on the Trotters take control and their dominance gets its reward in the 34th minute when Kevin Davies finishes off a fine move to put them ahead



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Spurs are an improved side after the break and get back on level terms on the hour when Jermain Deofe takes one touch before finishing off the outstretched leg of Sam Ricketts

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A handball by Ricketts 10 minutes later gives Harry Redknapp's side a great opportunity to win the tie but Tom Huddlestone sees his penalty saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen as the match ends in a draw



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Fulham 4-0 Notts County: Having defeated Wigan in the previous round the Magpies, from League Two, travel to Craven Cottage but fall behind to Simon Davies' 22nd-minute effort



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Roy Hodgson's charges double their lead before the interval when the in-form Bobby Zamora slams a shot past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to put the Cottagers in full control


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With just over 15 minutes to go, Damien Duff makes certain of Fulham's progress with a third goal which creeps inside the near post after going through a defender's legs

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Having recently arrived on loan from Roma, Stefano Okaka replaces Zamora and scores the fourth within a matter of minutes to finish off County and book his side's place in the quarter-final draw


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Crystal Palace v Aston Villa: The cash-strapped Eagles play host to Premier League opponents and a shock looks possible when Johannes Ertl (right) heads home from Darren Ambrose's 24th-minute corner


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Undaunted, Villa regroup and find themselves level at the break thanks to a header from James Collins who outjumps his marker as a free kick comes in from Stewart Downing

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Cottagers march on ....

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Chelsea were drawn to play Man City or Stoke in the next round.

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Aston Villa 3 - 1 Crystal Palace

Stoke 3 - 1 Man City

Tottenham 4 - 0 Bolton

West Brom 2 - 3 Reading

[Ach-F]

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SHAW THING ... goal hero Ryan snatches Stoke the lead

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Stoke 3-1 Man City: While his old club Inter Milan meet Chelsea, Roberto Mancini's Manchester City side meet Stoke for the third time in 12 days in an FA Cup replay


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In a hard-fought game at the Britannia Stadium, Dave Kitson gives Stoke a 79th-minute lead with a well-worked goal only for Craig Bellamy to equalise two minutes later


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But Manchester City's hopes take a huge blow a minute later when Emmanuel Adebayor receives a straight red for raising his arm to hold off Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross


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Tottenham 4-0 Bolton: Roman Pavlyuchenko is rewarded for his two-goal salvo against Wigan on Sunday with a start against Bolton and the Russian scores another two as Spurs earn a quarter-final against Fulham

[Ach-F]

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Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace: Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock is in typically animated mood and he watches in disbelief as Villa score the opener from a corner which shouldn't have been, as they did at Selhurst Park


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Palace fight back to make it 1-1, but John Carew wins it for Villa, scoring two penalties in the last 10 minutes after he is twice fouled by Matt Lawrence

[Ach-F]

Portsmouth 2 - 0 Birmingham

Fulham 0 - 0 Tottenham

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Frederic Piquionne celebrates netting a quick-fire brace that takes Portsmouth into the FA Cup semi-final draw.



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Portsmouth Administrator Andrew Andronikou attends their quarter-final clash with Birmingham.




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Owner Balram Chainrai wears Pompey colours - a first public display of him supporting the club on the field.




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There's a one minute applause before kick off in memory of Keith Alexander.

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Portsmouth 2-0 Birmingham: Jamie O'Hara and Lee Bowyer battle for possession in midfield in the opening minutes of their FA Cup quarter-final clash at Fratton Park



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A dire first half comes to an end goalless
as both teams struggle to find fluency in their play



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The home side finally break the deadlock through Frederic Piquionne. A goalmouth scramble sees the French striker poke home from two yards out


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Three minutes after grabbing the first, the Portsmouth striker makes it two. Latching onto Jamie O'Hara's through ball, Piquionne turns Richard Johnson before slotting past Joe Hart

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Liam Ridgewell manages to squeeze his header past David James but no goal is given despite the ball clearly crossing the line. The home side hold on and will be in the FA Cup semi-finals



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At last some joy for Avram Grant - who celebrates victory at the full-time whistle.

[Ach-F]

Reading 2 - 4 Aston Villa

[Ach-F]

Chelsea 2 - 0 Stoke

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Reading 2-4 Aston Villa: Shane Long heads the Championship side ahead in their FA Cup quarter-final tie against the beaten Carling Cup finalists



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Long grabs his and Reading's second 15 minutes later.
The Republic of Ireland international strokes past
Brad Friedel from 12 yards to give the Championship
side one foot in the FA Cup semi-finals

[Ach-F]

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Shane Long raised the roof at the Madejski with a first-half brace to put Reading two-up and in pole position for another Royals giant killing.


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Both sides approached the sixth round tie in aggressive fashion as Stewart Downing and Jimmy Kebe battled for possession


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And it was the Royals who took the lead in the 27th minute when Long headed Matt Mills' flick-on past a helpless Brad Friedel.


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O'Neill was left scratching his head as half-time arrived and his eerie record of failing to win as Villa boss in March looked destined to continue.

[Ach-F]

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Long, Reading's FA Cup goal machine, expertly finished off a beautifully constructed move to allow the home fans to dream of a Wembley date.



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O'Neill was left scratching his head as the half-time arrived and his eerie record of failing to win as Villa boss in March looked destined to continue.



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But two goals in the first six minutes of the second half saw from Ashley Young and John Carew turned the match on its head as Villa drew level.




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Carew continued to cash in on Gabriel Agbonlahor's absence as a delicate poke and a ferocious penalty saw the Norwegian striker claim the match ball.

[Ach-F]

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Wrecking Carew ... ..... ... striker levels for Villa





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Carew flicks Villa into the lead to make it 3 goals in ten minutes.
The striker completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot in injury time
and secures a return to Wembley for the Premier League side


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John Carew fired a second-half hat trick to seal another trip to Wembley, but Villa were forced to dig themselves out of a hole in the first period.


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The final sixth round clash of the weekend saw holders Chelsea take on Stoke in what began as a tempestuous affair.

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Chelsea v Stoke: Handshakes aplenty at Stamford Bridge this weekend as the FA Cup holders host Tony Pulis' side in the second FA Cup quarter-final of the day


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Stoke had their chances and failed to capitalise before Frank Lampard to show the Potters how it's done as he smashed home a 35th minute lead.



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Frank Lampard puts the home side 1-0. Captain John Terry finds his team-mate, who drills past Thomas Sorensen from 18 yards

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Aston Villa 0 - 3 Chelsea

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Florent Malouda seeks a way past Carlos Cuellar.


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Gabby Agbonlahor goes down under a challenge from Jon Mikel Obi and wants a penalty, but Howard Webb says no.


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Didier Drogba celebrates as he gives Chelsea the lead over Aston Villa at Wembley.


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Game over at Wembley as Florent Malouda celebrates Chelsea's second against Aston Villa.

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Frank Lampard rubs salt into Villa's wound as he grabs Chelsea's third goal in injury-time.


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FA Cup semi-final woe for Gabby Agbonlahor & Ashley Young.


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Chelsea celebrations as they reach the FA Cup final.

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Tottenham 0 - 2 Portsmouth


Extra time 30 minutes to decide the team to the final ... ..live now .. ..

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Tottenham v Portsmouth: Peter Crouch lines up alongside fellow former Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe
as he looks to help Spurs book an FA Cup final date against Chelsea

[Ach-F]

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Portsmouth fans ready for their FA Cup semi-final with Spurs.


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Frederic Piquionne is on the charge at Wembley but Spurs captain Michael Dawson closes him down.


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Jermain Defoe tries to break the deadlock at Wembley.


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Nice save from David James to keep Spurs at bay.

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Ricardo Rocha is another getting reacquainted with old faces as the former White Hart Lane defender (second from left) helps crowd out Luka Modric


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The teams cannot be separated over 90 minutes and the match heads into extra time

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Despite being in administration, relegated from the EPL, Portsmouth have booked their place in the final, Avram Grant meet his old club ... ..... .

[Wacha]

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Frederic Piquionne steers a loose ball past a grounded Michael Dawson and Heurelho Gomes
to edge Pompey to the brink of a 15 May return

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Av Grant ... ...

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Portsmouth to appeal European suspension



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Winning is good ... .. nani kasema ushindi sio mnono?



Portsmouth will appeal to the FA as they attempt to secure a Uefa club licence that would allow them to play in Europe next season. Avram Grant's team produced one of the most remarkable results of the season yesterday when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Wembley to reach the FA Cup Final. The victory came a day after their relegation from the Barclays Premier League was confirmed. However, Portsmouth’s financial plight leaves a doubt over whether they will be allowed to take their place in the Europa League. With Chelsea certain to play in the Champions League, Portsmouth would normally expect to claim the Europa League place awarded to the FA Cup winners. But as a club in administration they were not entitled to apply for the required Uefa licence. However, Andrew Andronikou, the Portsmouth administrator, has indicated they will appeal to the FA. "We are now taking legal advice," he said. "We've already started that process and they'll have a view on whether they can launch an appeal by Friday. "We've qualified on the pitch for the Europa league but clearly we haven't qualified on the question of financial covenants.

"The reason we were barred was because the club had to file financial accounts by May 31, 2009 but they haven't been filed because of the insolvency of the company as part of the current administration. I've no idea whether we have grounds for an appeal or whether the appeal would be successful but I have a responsibility to the 100,000 Portsmouth fans to do the best I can for the club. "My feeling is that we may have some grounds because we are sorting out the debts and are seeking to get a new owner and we should be coming out of administration very soon." The South Coast club’s win over Cardiff City in the 2008 FA Cup Final triggered bonus payments that helped to drive them into administration this season, and a subsequent nine-point penalty resulted in their demotion to the Coca-Cola Championship. Not since Middlesbrough in 1997 have a club contested the FA Cup Final and been relegated from the top flight in the same season, and no team has ever gone down and lifted the trophy.

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[Ach-F]

Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United