The early kick off saw the Carling Cup winners Birmingham looking to repeat cup success against a Bolton side who have dipped in Premier League form after a surprising surge up the table before Christmas. It was the visitors who took the lead through Johan Elmander in the 21st minute after Ivan Klasnic had flicked it through to the striker. However the Blues hit back towards the end of the first half after Cameron Jerome put the ball past Jussi Jaskellainen despite the the home side being forced to make two substitutions- both Barry Ferguson and Martin Jinarek being forced off with injury.
 |
| Lee celebrates his winning goal for Bolton. |
The second half saw Bolton regain the lead 6 minutes after the hour mark had passed, Curtis Davies conceded a penalty which Kevin Davies converted. Birmingham were really piling the pressure on Owen Coyle's men and chances were agonisingly being missed. The best chance fell to Kevin Phillips, who's skillful turn put him in a great position to fire a venomous shot which was met by enough contact by Jaskellainen to push it on to the outside of the post and temporarily away from danger. It looked like Alex McLeish's side were running out of steam until Phillips struck again with a glorious effort to lob the keeper from outside the area which came out of nothing. With the tie looking like it would go to a replay, Bolton had a final twist as a ball into the area found Kevin Davies who knocked it on to Chung-Yong Lee, the South Korean nodding it past Ben Foster to win it late on in the 89th minute. Even with 4 minutes added on, Birmingham couldn't find an equaliser to rescue their FA Cup hopes. The final whistle blew and Bolton marched on to a place in the semi-finals.
The other quarter final saw Manchester United host their closest Premier League rivals Arsenal. After 2 consecutive defeats for United, and a Champions League exit for Arsenal midweek, both teams were looking to respond by keeping up their silverware chances this season. It took a while for the game to really come alive, and United's first opportunity came when Fabio played in a great delivery into his twin brother Rafael who failed to keep his header down and the ball went over for a goal-kick. Despite this opportunity, it was Fabio who gave the home side the lead. Rooney's cross to Javier Hernandez saw the Mexican's shot well saved by Manuel Almunia only to fall to Fabio who hit into the roof of an empty goal to grab the lead.
 |
| Fabio gives United the lead. |
Arsenal kept going, and managed to make a few good movements stringing a few passes along but they lacked the cutting edge, and the final touches were poor, ending some potentially dangerous attacks in disappointing fashion. Samir Nasri had a good opportunity at the end of the first half, the Frenchman worked his way through into the box, and striking the ball through the legs of Wes Brown only to see Edwin Van Der Sar make a fine save in the bottom corner. The Dutchman was on fantastic form denying Arsenal an equaliser and certainly gave his very best to do so.
The second half started similarly to the first, and Van Der Sar was dealing exceptionally well with the threat of Arsenal on the attack. Van Persie almost curled beautiful effort in to the top corner with his left foot, just going wide of the goal, a spectacular attempt nonetheless. Arsenal didn't capitalise on their dominance and were consequently punished for it when Rooney grabbed his 6th goal in 8 games, softly heading it in to the corner of the goal doubling the lead. Although they were 2-0 down, Arsenal lacked urgency, but they did stay comfortable in possession as they showed no desperation to get back in the game. Subsitute Marouane Chamakh, who replaced Denilson, saw his header brilliantly saved by Van Der Sar who was remaining resilient in his goal. Tomas Rosicky also had a great chance but completely missed the ball.
Due to an injury suffered by Johan Djourou after a magnificent bit of goalkeeping by Almunia to deny United wrapping the game up, 8 minutes were added on at the end. Arsenal couldn't find a goal in this period and were once again out of a cup, their chances of winning silverware seem to be decreasing quickly, with the Premier League they're last hope of glory this year. It finished Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal
No comments:
Post a Comment