Chelsea’s win over Norwich in the FA Cup 5th Round was of the routine variety. A deflected shot from Shaun Wright-Phillips just before half time set the Pensioners on their way. Didier Drogba put the game beyond Norwich with a goal early in the second half and then Essien and Shevchenko scored in injury time to give to scoreline a look that Norwich probably didn't deserve.
Now Chelsea faces a Premiership side for the first time this season although they do have home advantage once more. Tottenham provides the opposition and it is difficult to guess how Spurs reacted to the quarter final draw. On the positive side they did beat Chelsea 2-1 at White Hart Lane in November after falling behind to an early Claude Makelele goal. Conversely it was only the second time that Spurs had beaten Chelsea in their last 38 meetings.
Spurs looked to have finally got their season on track and although they continue to have trouble keeping the opposition off the score sheet the goals are flying in at the other end. Four straight wins in all competitions before the UEFA Cup match against Braga has seen Spurs score 14 goals.
The first win of this current run was 4-0 over Fulham in the FA Cup 5th round at Craven Cottage. This brought Tottenham’s goal tally in FA Cup to 11. Cardiff were beaten 4-0 in a replay (after 0-0), and other Championship side Southend went down 3-1.
Only Manchester United and Arsenal have won the FA Cup more often than Tottenham Hotspur but neither can match Spurs’ record of losing only once in the FA Cup final. Eight times Spurs have won the FA Cup (1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982 and 1991) and the first win in 1901 was while playing in the Southern League. Spurs remains the only non-league to lift the trophy since the advent of the Football League in 1888.
The only loss came in 1987 to Coventry and even then a Spurs player scored the deciding goal. Clive Allen and Dave Bennett swapped goals in the first ten minutes of the Wembley final but a Brian Kilcline own-goal just on half time sent Spurs in with a 2-1 lead. A flying header from Coventry striker Keith Houchen took the game into extra time and then Spurs centre back Gary Mabbutt’s knee gave Coventry the Cup as he deflected a cross passed his own goal keeper.
Chelsea and Tottenham met for the first time in the FA Cup nearly a century ago. In 1910 Spurs beat Chelsea 1-0 in the second round and since then Spurs have retained a slight edge with four wins, three losses and one draw. Chelsea knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup in both 1964 and 1965 but Spurs gained revenge two years later when faced each other in the Final for the only time. It was the first time that two London teams had made it to the final.
The record shows that Spurs were the much better side on the day and goals from Jimmy Robertson and Frank Saul gave them a comfortable lead even though Bobby Tambling pulled one back with five minutes to go.
The line ups read like a Legends game. Tottenham Hotspur – Jennings; Kinnear, England, MacKay, Knowles; Robertson, Mullery, Venables, Saul; Greaves and Gilzean. Chelsea – Bonetti; Harris (A), Hinton, Harris (R), McCreadie; Hollins, Cooke, Baldwin, Boyle; Tambling and Hateley.
The full quarter final draw can be found here and this is a link to the latest news from the official FA Cup website.
Past Featured Games Extra Preliminary Round Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A. 5-2 Billingham Synthonia. Preliminary Round Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A 5-4 Thackley F.C First Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 3-0 Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A. Second Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 4-2 Goole AFC Third Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 2-0 Warrington Town Fourth Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 2-0 Wisbech Town First Round Salisbury City 3-0 Fleetwood Town Second Round Salisbury City 1-1 Nottingham Forest Second Round Replay Nottingham Forest 2-0 Salisbury City Third Round Nottingham Forest 2-0 Charlton Fourth Round Chelsea 3-0 Nottingham Forest Fifth Round Chelsea 4-0 Norwich City
Tough loss for Arsenal. We lost the whole leg coz of what we have been losing to all season long, NOT TAKING THE CHANCES THAT WE GET. Since Arsenal is out and Barca is out I'm routine for any team that doesn't belong to the Epl especially Roma. Totti deserves a big trophy with Roma.
In terms of FA Cup, I'd like to see Blackburn make it to the end. They don't play the most attractive football at times, but they have quite a few quality and/or hard-working players on that squad.
Last edited by atleti_female on March 7th at 3:46 PM.
Well sorry to see my Bhoys out of the CL competition. All credit to them as they did hang on for 90 minutes but there was minimal hope when they failed to score at home on the first leg and everyone being well aware of their poor away form. In addition this week’s less than positive statements on the part of Wee Gordon cast a negative air about the fixture. However, this brings Celtic back to the SPL and thankfully needing only a win or two to seal the title.
On a happier note and thanks to ESPN it was a distinct pleasure to see an old (35 is old?) Hoop alumni head the ball into the net courtesy of a pin point cross from Ronaldo. That Man Larsson is a champion and a class act and in his short stay with ManU I think he gave a good accounting of himself. The smiles on SAF’s and Henrik’s face said it all.
If ManU go on to play in the final I wonder if Larsson is eligible, or even wanting, to take part or qualify for another winners medal? I don’t know what the UEFA rulings are in that regard.
Come end of May in Athens: ManU versus Bayern? Shades of 1999 all over again.
As to the FA Cup: Surely Plymouth Argyle get’s full support as the obvious underdogs. Point being any team other than the megabuck big boys. Such are the dreams of the Cup.
l think this will have to show wenger that, he has to try and buy some couple of direct players.l feel that they are a number of players who need to be shown the door, like freddy, baptista should go whether wenger likes their spirits or not because they are not good enough.l would also be glad if hleb went because lets face it he epitomises what is wrong with this team, lack of directness , unnecessary dribling and not taking responsibility for the shot on goal.an injured henry has done very little to help matters.we need a couple of good players in their prime who can grow with the young team otherwise next year we will be playing for fourth this time around .mark my words
Thanks for the reminder about that final (not). This time Spurs will come off a trip abroad and less than 3 days rest, otherwise Chelsea could have had a big challenge. I think that Man Utd may be about to unravel. Could be a shocker against Boro? If Utd get a bad UCL draw on Friday (like v Liverpool) then it could all start to prey on their minds!. Arsenal result today, was predictable given the current form. Tough one gunner fans.
wenger should stop the rants with the fa and look at the past two awful seasons and see where he got this wrong, because if managers are based on result wenger can not be an exception to that and another season like this one he should surely face the axe
Javier Aguirre will make a few changes to the squad that will face Deportivo La Coruña this weekend (due to suspensions and injuries): Luccin and Galetti return from suspension and Fabiano Eller will most likely start his first game as an Atletico player. It also looks like Juan Valera will be included in the starting 11.
In other news, Atletico have renewed their interest in Mikel Arteta. He would be a fantastic addition to the midfield. Here's hoping they sign him in the summer.
Maxi Rodríguez and Martin Petrov won't play this season. As much as it pains me not to see them included in the squad, I think this is a good idea in the long run. The club are keen on securing a Champions League spot and we'll need both wingmen fully recovered and in top shape then.
Last edited by atleti_female on March 8th at 8:09 AM.
Crazy thought: if Eto is on sale give Barca Reyes/Baptista and Ade get Eto. Bench Henry play Eto and RVP.
When I look back now I see the biggest injury for Arsenal this season might have been RVP going down with that stupid meta whatever they call it injury. Another 13 goals from him in the 2nd half of the season would really have changed our fortunes, maybe.
Henry next season should be a force to be reconed with because thats what great players are known for. After a bad season you should always come back better than ever.
If you want to know what I think of Arsenal go to my blog and read the article that says "From Competitors To Spectators." Especially you Henry14 and all those people who feel wenger should be fired.
i think tottenham stands a decent chance in this game. i would imagine jol will playing somewhat of different side than against braga, so there shouldn't be too many tired legs out there. and tottenham knows that they can beat chelsea so their confidence should be pretty high going in. and plus mourhino spouted off early again so i'm sure they'll want to prove they're more than just a "good team."
Yeah Bobby have a go, I am interested to see if your hot streak continues.
-Chelsea will dispatch Tottenham, no problem. Say what you will about Mourinho his teams are tough to beat. ABU.
Frankly I support Wenger's crusade against the miserable lowlifes at the FA -- he's not the only manager who's pointed out their blinkered incompetence. Arsenal's players with killer instincts are gone--Vieira, Pires, Campbell, Cole, Bergkamp. This new side is maturing with fits and starts. And where would Chelsea be this season without Drogba, Robben, Essien and Terry for half the season or more--simulataneously? Where would ManU be without Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Saha for half the season or more? It's been a nightmare season for injuries with Arsenal. Plus the new stadium to get used to. I agree that Wenger needs to do some serious re-thinking and planning but he's had very few options. In the game against Blackburn he was reduced to taking a couple of 16 year olds from the youth reserves and put them on the bench. Wenger's contract expires in '08. If he doesn't turn things around next season, he may well just go (tho he may move up instead of out).
Well the bhoys showed a lot of heart and Milan where the better side for much of the game but id be lying if I said that I was ok with the 2 blown calls. Missing the first maybe but the second I just dont understand.
Now my HS track coach had Vertigo and I had a friend in college that used it to get out of missing classes....great excuse if you have the stones.....but I think Gilardino and maybe several other Milan players may have vertigo. After the first match I couldnt be sure.
For those who read my article I made my comments on your thoughts and answered some of your questions.
Just wanted to say I have great respect for Ac Milan making the quaters of the CL in 5 straight seasons in amazing consistancy. Venti you I hope you guys win this but I'd rather see Roma lift it, but realisticly you guys have a better chance.
Gunner:
Milan have been very good at winning big games, and were unlucky not to reach the final last season. Milan definitely have a huge advantage in terms of experience. I think Chelsea are still favorites with the bookies, but are far from a European powerhouse just yet. There’s no real clearcut favorite, but I definitely like Milan’s chances now that most of the Spanish teams are out. They are starting to make their edge in experience count and are finding ways to win matches.
That was a good effort to bring everyone up to date on Tottenham. Judging by the media coverage last week, I thought West Ham had lost to themselves. Too bad you didn't link readers to great youtube videos like Chas & Dave's 'Nayim From The Halfway Line' - with a crumpled Seaman hilariously likened to Kermit the Frog - or their earlier hit, Ossie's Dream(Spurs Are On Their Way to Wembley).
Were there no current players or their achievements worthy of mention?
Last edited by flashman on March 10th at 10:53 PM.
I was watching the fox soccer report tonight and just want to ask if max could be any more biased when it comes to arsenal and henry! He failed to mention that henry has been hurt for a good part of the season and that accounts for his drop in goal production! He's not past his prime, just wait till next year! Arsenal may be having a subpar year but they're the only ones who beat man u twice!!!! Max why don't you try a litte harder not to show your dislike for arsenal!!!
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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