Last (and only 16) FA Cup Results

by GSC Sun 05 Aug 2012, 10:53 pm

12:00. Anybody sense a cupset in the air?

12:01. The world’s oldest and most famous cup competition is back, and we enter with 16 teams remaining in the competition. European place up for grabs here.

12:05. Some news to bring you ahead of play today, both Arsenal and West Ham have decided to forfeit, rather than name a team, so Southampton and Fulham will both go into the QFs automatically.

12:09. With that done, let’s look forward to what we have lined up today:

Liverpool vs Aston Villa (12:45)
Swansea vs Man Utd
Reading vs Tottenham
Chelsea vs West Brom
Norwich vs Stoke
Newcastle vs Everton (17:15)

12:15. We start at Anfield for the first match of the day, as the 2 draw specialists go head to head, 7 of their combined 8 games this season having been stalemates. Penalties?

12:20. We’ll have team news on the way shortly from Anfield, but first some transfer news, as Brede Hangelande looks set to complete a move to Anfield, with Montolivo and Coates heading the other way to Craven Cottage.
12:26. TEAM NEWS
Liverpool: Foster, Anyukov, Coates, Toure, Cissokho, Krasic, Diarra, Cabaye, Vargas, Long, Carroll
Aston Villa: Given, Lichaj, Mellberg, Dunne, Olsson, Weiss, Ireland, Petrov, Gardner, N’Zogbia, Ba

12:31. So 2 strong lineups named, with Villa looking packing the midfield in a 4-5-1, and handing Demba Ba a debut up front, and Liverpool going for 4-4-2, we’re 15 mins away from kickoff at a packed Anfield.

12:36. Mark Lawrenson’s predictions appear below
Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa
Swansea 1-1p Man Utd
Reading 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea 2-2p West Brom
Norwich 1-3 Stoke
Newcastle 2-1 Everton

12:40. Teams are out at Anfield, we’ll be underway shortly

12:45. KICKOFF (Liverpool vs Aston Villa)

12:45. Big roar from the Kop as Liverpool get underway, kicking towards the Kop in the first half.

12:49. Nothing much so far, from either team, Liverpool seemingly happy to keep ball while Villa not pressing it in Liverpool’s half.

12:52. Sighter from Cabaye, flies wide. Scrappy start so far here.

12:55: Hasn’t been great so far, but Villa conjure up the first moment of quality, give and go from Weiss and Ireland sets the Slovakian away, but Ba can’t direct his cross goalwards under pressure from Coates.

1:01: Villa’s 5 man midfield is growing into this game and beginning to take control of possession. Nothing clear cut in the way of chances though.

GOAL-Liverpool 1-0 Villa (Carroll, 18)
Out of nothing Liverpool have a lead. Petrov misplaces a pass, feeds Krasic out wide and his first time cross is met by Carroll who buries it. Villa were comfortable but now they trail.

1:09: That goal hasn’t rocked Villa who continue to boss possession here, Kop trying to urge Liverpool now.

1:11. Almost an instant equaliser for Villa, Ireland gets a return pass from Ba and just fires past the post from 18 yards.

1:18. 10 minutes or so to halftime and the game has reached a bit of a stalemate here, Villa continuing to boss the midfield, but Liverpool holding fast.

1:20. Opening for Villa here, Diarra bringing down Gardner about 30m out…

1:21. … what an effort. Ireland steps up and crashes a thunderbolt against Ben Foster’s bar, Foster nowhere near it

1:25. That free kick seems to have spurred Villa into life as Ba forces Foster into a sharp near post save, then Mellberg heads over from the resulting corner. It’s simmering.

1:29. Villa sense blood here, and N’Zogbia goes on a jinking run before being dispossessed by Toure in the area. Villa want a penalty but the ref isn’t interested. On 2nd viewing, Toure might be a tad lucky.

2 minutes added on.

1:31. It looks like Liverpool will hold on to half time, and they could’ve doubled their advantage, Krasic’s deflected cross drops to Carroll 10 yards out, but he can’t control it and Villa clear.

HALFTIME- Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa

1.33. Villa huffed and puffed towards the end of that half, and they will feel aggrieved to be 1-0 down. Job done for Liverpool after 45. We’ll be back in 15.

1.47. Teams are back out at Anfield, we’ll be underway shortly.

KICKOFF (Liverpool vs Aston Villa)

GOAL- Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa (Ireland 46)
Villa have carried on exactly as they left off, Petrov’s ball over the top finding Ba who holds off Coates before cutting back for Ireland who makes no mistake from 12 yards. Villa are level.

1:51. That goal has really sucked the life out of the Kop and Villa continue to press forward.

GOAL- Liverpool 1-2 Aston Villa (Ba 50)
What a turnabout, and this man has been at the heart of it. Looked to be crowded out on the edge of the area, but flicks the ball up, swivels and gives Ben Foster absolutely no chance. Absolutely stunning strike, what an introduction to the Villa fans.

1:58. Liverpool looked stunned, and are lucky not to fall further behind, N’Zogbia crossing for Ba who puts his header right at Foster.

2:02. Finally a response from Liverpool, Cabaye breaking free from the Villa midfield and finding Long, whose shot is blocked on the edge of the area. From the resulting corner Olsson has to clear a Carroll header off the line.

SUB FOR VILLA Bent for Gardner

2:09. Villa throw on an extra striker and almost immediate Liverpool reap the benefits, Cabaye finding room to pick out Vargas who cuts inside before curling a shot just beyond the post.

SUB FOR VILLA Aquilani for Ireland

2:17. Liverpool beginning to press the issue heading into the last 15. Villa holding strong though

SUB FOR VILLA Delph for Weiss

2:23. Chance for Liverpool. Krasic cuts inside before shooting. Given pushes it away but Long almost gets there to poke it home.

PENALTY FOR VILLA
PENALTY MISSED (Bent)
N’Zogbia skips away from Cissokho before drawing the foul from Toure. Bent steps up and puts it wide. Liverpool stay alive.

2:31. Liverpool struggling but Villa still solid at the back.

2:33. Into 3 minutes added on and Liverpool can’t break down Villa.

FULL TIME Liverpool 1-2 Aston Villa

2:36. Tame finish at Anfield as Liverpool exit the FA cup at the first stage. Villa move onto the quarter finals to join Fulham and Southampton.

2:38. So coming up we have 4 more ties at 3pm, team news on the way shortly.

TEAM NEWS
Swansea team to play Man Utd: Jaaskalainan, Clyne, Cuellar, Johnson, Fabio, Frimpong, Guedioura, Bellamy, Drenthe, Bendtner
Man Utd: Lindegaard, Rafael, Evans, Smalling, Jonas, Park, Anderson, Cleverley, Giggs, Hernandez, Owen.
Reading team to play Tottenham: McCarthy, Cummings, Gorkks, Pearce, Mills, Tabb, Whitehead, Karacan, Antonio, Jerome, Hunt
Tottenham: Amos, Walker, Heitinga, Caulker, Rose, Livermore, Barkley, Tiote, Sterling, Defoe, Guidetti
Chelsea team to play West Brom: Courtois, Bosingwa, Luiz, Shaw, Lopez, Ramires, Romeu, Gourcuff, Marin, Kalou, Torres
West Brom: Gomez, Reid, Tamas, Vlaar, Shorey, Soares, Gera, Dos Santos, Tchoyi, Routledge, Lukaku
Norwich team to play Stoke: Stockdale, Martin, Davies, Dawson, Robinson, Bennett, Butterfield, Barton, Snodgrass, Wilbraham, Morison
Stoke: Sorenson, Hutton, Woodgate, Upson, Taylor, Seedorf, Palacios, Pennant, Young, Etherington, Crouch

2.43
Swansea vs Man Utd
Both have made decent starts in the league, and name very much 2nd strength teams for this clash.
Reading vs Tottenham
The surprise package of the season, Reading name a much changed team vs Tottenham, while the early leaders name a slightly weakened team.
Chelsea vs West Brom
Both teams name weakened defenses, but plenty of attacking flair on display at Stamford Bridge
Norwich vs Stoke
Stoke name a full strength side at Carrow Road, while Norwich make changes from their win here last week.

2:55. We’re almost ready to go across the country.

KICKOFF

3.01. We’re underway.

3.03. Early chance at Stamford Bridge, Torres sprinting in behind Vlaar to collect Ramires’ ball before shooting across Gomez and the post.

GOAL- Norwich 0-1 Stoke (Crouch 5)
Brilliant start for Stoke at Carrow Road, Etherington free on the right and his cross eludes everyone, however Pennant puts it back in first time, and Crouch reacts faster than the Norwich defense to poke it home.

3:07. Chance for Man Utd at the Liberty Stadium, Cleverley chipping a nice ball over the top for Hernandez, Jaaskalainan tipping his shot round the post. Swansea clear the resulting corner.

3:09. Decent start by Spurs at the Majewski, plenty of nice touches, not too much substance so far.

3.12. Norwich almost strike right back, Morison taking down a Snodgrass cross before firing right at Sorensen.

GOAL Norwich (Wilbraham 14) 1-1 Stoke
They have equalised now though. Snograss again finding room out wide, this time crosses along the floor and Wilbraham beats everybody to poke him home at the near post.

GOAL Swansea (Bendtner 15) 1-0 Man Utd
Swansea take the lead in Wales, Guedioura breaks from deep and his shot from distance bounces in front of Lindegaard, and he can only push it to the feet of Bendtner who can’t miss.

3.18 After that brief flurry of goals, normal service is resumed

3.20 Spurs are taking control, and Guidetti almost scores on debut, McCarthy doing well to push his shot from the edge of the area over.

3.25. Opening for West Brom, Lukaku outmuscling Shaw before firing over.

GOAL Norwich 1-2 Stoke (Crouch 27)
Crouch doubles his tally, and puts Stoke back in front, collecting Seedorf’s through ball and cooly finishing past Stockdale.

3.31. Tottenham go close again, this time Guidetti reversing a pass for Defoe who can’t find the target

3.35. Man Utd struggling to break down Swansea at the moment, Swansea’s midfield 3 have control of midfield. Plenty of threat on the break from Swansea too.

3.38. Chelsea have made most of the running in this half and Marin could’ve put them ahead, running in behind from Gourcuff’s pass but only finds the side netting.

3.41. Bit of a lull in the action heading into the half, not much happening at the moment.

PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM
GOAL Reading 0-1 Tottenham (Defoe 43)
Barkley breaks into the area and is wiped out by Pearce, ref has no option but to point to the spot. Defoe cooly sends McCarthy the wrong way.

3.45. Heading into injury time and Swansea could’ve doubled their lead. Bellamy breaking past Jonas and clipping a ball to Drenthe running in at the back post, who completely miscues his effort.

HALFTIME

3.46 Halftime across the country, we’ll have reports shortly.

Swansea 1-0 Man Utd
Swansea’s midfield 3 have really take control in midfield, and Man Utd are finding it hard to break through. Swansea have been in the ascendency.
Reading 0-1 Tottenham
Tottenham have been in control of this game, and the penalty was justly deserved. Reading have been a shadow of the side that have started the season so well.
Chelsea 0-0 West Brom
Chelsea have been the better team, but West Brom have proven resilient. Lukaku remains a threat.
Norwich 1-2 Stoke
Evenly matched game, Stoke have just edged it and have taken their chances.

4.02 Teams are out across the country

KICKOFF

4.03. We’re back underway.

4.06. Ramires with a half chance, a Chelsea corner is cleared and his snap shot just flies wide.

4.10. Man Utd chance, Anderson gets behind the Swansea defense, but is run wide and his left footed shot is easily saved by Jaaskalainan.

4.14. Gilt edged chance for Morison at Norwich, Snodgrass finds him free in the 18 yard box, but his header is wide. Hold your head in your hands moment.

GOAL Chelsea (Marin 61) 1-0 West Brom
They’ve finally broken through at Stamford Bridge, Gourcuff clips a ball over the top for Torres who squares to an oncoming Marin to tap in.

4.19. First sign of life from Reading, Tabb squaring for Jerome who can’t find a finish.

GOAL Stoke (Crouch 67, hat trick) 3-1 Norwich
Peter Crouch completes his hat trick, Etherington clipping a ball to the back stick where he rises to head home. Game over?

GOAL Reading 0-2 Tottenham (Guidetti 71)
Game set and match at the Majewski, Guidetti beating 2 defenders on the edge of the area before clipping the ball into the bottom corner.

4.30. So Stoke and Tottenham take big steps into the next round, still 2 tight games to go.

4.32 Tottenham could’ve extended their lead, Sterling coming inside and shooting straight at McCarthy

GOAL Swansea (Bendtner 79) 2-0 Man Utd
The Liberty Stadium is in delirium. Drenthe skips past Rafael and puts in a good ball for Bendtner who out jumps Evans to glance a header past Lindegaard.

4.38. Norwich go close, Snodgrass, who’s been impressive, cutting in before firing wide.

4.41. Man Utd are pressing now for an equaliser, Cleverley’s shot from distance flying past the post.

4.43. Air of resignation around the Majewski, not much happening here.

GOAL Swansea 2-1 Man Utd (Hernandez 90)
Now then, do Man Utd have a way out of jail. A corner is swung over by Cleverley into a packed Swansea area, after some pinball Hernandez manages to slam it over the line. Game on.

FULL TIME Reading 0-2 Tottenham

4.48. Looks like its going to be too late for West Brom, Chelsea have possession high up the pitch and time is running out.

FULL TIME Norwich 1-3 Stoke

4.49. Chance for United goes begging! Johnson charges down an Anderson long shot, but it loops down to Owen who can’t find the corner. Looks like Utd will be heading out.

FULL TIME Chelsea 1-0 West Brom

FULL TIME Swansea 2-1 Man Utd

4.53. So Tottenham, Stoke, Chelsea and Swansea head into the quarter final draw. The dream is over for Reading, Norwich, West Brom and Man Utd.

4.56. Big upset of the day coming at the Liberty Stadium where Swansea dumped out Man Utd, elsewhere the big stories coming courtesy of debut goals for Ba and Guidetti, and a hat trick for Peter Crouch.

5.00. Gearing up for the final game of the day then, and arguably the biggest game of the tie, as Newcastle host Everton, team news coming right up.

TEAM NEWS
Newcastle: Forster, Debuchy, Taylor, Chalobah, Bertrand, Benat, Sandro, Varela, Marveaux, Best, De Jong
Everton: Hamid, Ziegler, Hutchinson, Cameron, Coleman, Reo Coker, Sinclair, Cahill, Osman, Rodallega, Naismith.

5.10. Teams in the tunnel at (whatever St James Park is called these days). We’ll be underway shortly

KICKOFF

5.16. Everton kick us off, kicking from right to left in the first half.

5.17. Almost a great start from Newcastle, Varela crossing for De Jong who almost makes it a dream start on Tyneside, Hamid pushing it over.

GOAL Newcastle (De Jong 3) 1-0 Everton
It is a great start now, the corner is flicked on by Taylor and De Jong is on hand to tap home.

5.21. Luuk De Jong makes it 3 debutants scoring today then, Everton get Rodallega in down the right, but nothing comes of it.

GOAL Newcastle (Varela 10) 2-0 Everton
St James Park is rocking. Varela cuts in and curls a perfect strike past Hamid. Newcastle on fire.

5.29. Everton get us restarted for the 3rd time already. Need to calm things down now.

5.33. Almost 3-0, De Jong skipping away from Cameron and squaring for Best, but his finish is woeful.

5.36. Still all Newcastle, this time Sandro making a rare foray, and testing the palms of Hamid.

GOAL Newcastle 2-1 Everton (Sinclair 25)
Where on earth has this come from? Everton have barely had a kick in the opening 25, but Sincalir picks this up 30 yards out, runs past 2 Newcastle players before curling a strike past Forster. Everton back in this.

5.42. Everton right back in this now, that goal seems to have woken them up. Cahill this time trying his luck as Forster pushes it wide.

5.47. Newcastle are still in this mind, Varela this time going round the outside and crossing for Best. Cameron manages to clear though.

5.52. No let up in this half, Rodallega trying a pullback for Cahill, who can’t keep his shot down under pressure.

GOAL Newcastle 2-2 Everton (Naismith 42)
Everton are level, and its summer signing Steve Naismith with the goal. Osman finds Cahill whose first time ball splits the Newcastle defense. Naismith collects before cooly firing past Forster.

5.59. Everton will be delighted to get in level if they can while Newcastle will be very frustrated to let their lead slip.

6.01. Finally a let up in the pace, both teams seemingly settling for halftime.

HALFTIME

6.03. Halftime at St James Park and a great half of football. Everton started slow, but they’re right in this now.

6.07. Some news to bring you in the break, CF has been sacked by West Ham after a poor run of form. West Ham’s board made the decision in an attempt to stay up.

6.17. Players are back out, no changes to report.

KICKOFF

6.18. Newcastle get us underway

6.21. Quiet start so far

6.25. Tim Cahill with the first effort of the half, harmless though.

6.31. Its quietened down massively after the first half, had to really.

6.34. First chance for Newcastle, Marveaux being played in behind, opted to shoot from the angle rather than cross and found the side netting.

RED CARD- Tim Cahill
Dear oh dear, Tim what are you doing. Dives in 2 footed onto Benat and the ref has no choice but to give him his marching orders. Everton down to 10 for the last 25.

6.44. Going down to 10 seems to have woken Everton up more than Newcastle to be fair. They’ve taken control of possession since then.

6.48. And they have a golden chance to go ahead. Sinclair skipping past a Newcastle defender on the edge of the area and forcing Forster to push behind.

SUB: Hibbert and Neville for Coleman and Osman

6.53. Newcastle respond, Benat feeding De Jong who forcing Hamid into a smart save.

6.59. Its winding down here, both teams settling for extra time.

7.03. Chance. Sinclair is dispossessed and Sandro sets Best on his way, but the strikers first touch is poor and Hamid can recover.

FULL TIME

7.05. We’ll have another 30 then.

KICKOFF
7.10 Back underway for the first 15 at St James Park.

7.14 Newcastle with the first opportunity, but Benat hits a tame shot from the edge of the area.

7.18. Benat again involved, this time feeding Varela, but he can’t control.

GOAL Newcastle 2-3 Everton (Naismith 101)
Have the 10 men of Everton won it? Sinclair finds Naismith on the edge of the area who takes a touch before bending it around Forster. St James Park is stunned.

7.25. What have Newcastle got left? We’ll find out in the last 15.

HALFTIME

7.26. Just a short break before we go again

KICKOFF

7.27. 15 minutes left for Newcastle to keep their FA Cup dream alive.

7.30. They almost do it right away, Benat getting a return ball from De Jong to fire wide.

7.35. Newcastle pouring forward, Everton holding.

7.38. Time running out, Marveaux tries his luck but its well wide.

GOAL Newcastle (De Jong 119) 3-3 Everton
What a way to announce your arrival. Newcastle are out of jail here, Benat tries from distance but its charged down. However it falls to De Jong who takes a touch to steady himself, before blasting it past Hamid. Drama.

FULL TIME Newcastle 3-3 Everton

7.44. It proves to be almost the last touch, we go to penalties.

PENALTIES
Newcastle to take first…
MISSED PENALTY (Benat) 0-0
PENALTY SCORED (Ziegler) 0-1
PENALTY SCORED (Debuchy) 1-1
PENALTY SCORED (Rodallega) 1-2
MISSED PENALTY (Best) 1-2
MISSED PENALTY (Cameron) 1-2
MISSED PENALTY (Bertrand) 1-2
PENALTY SCORED (Naismith) 1-3

8.01. Everton triumph on penalties 3-1 to knock out Newcastle. So Fulham, Southampton, Aston Villa, Swansea, Chelsea, Tottenham, Stoke and Everton will advance to the QFs. Thank you and goodnight.

Votes
Liverpool 1-3-3 Villa
Swansea 4-0-3 Man Utd
Chelsea 5-3-0 West Brom
Reading 0-1-5 Tottenham
Norwich 0-3-3 Stoke
Newcastle 2-3-2 Everton