T & S Fantasy Football News

Tuesday 29th March 2005 – Issue No.7

(written by Paul Brown)

 

League Cup – Round 4

 

In a nail biting encounter, West Ham and Birmingham fans found themselves on
the edge of their seats. Although the full-time score ended 0-0, its was not
short of action as both teams came close in taking the lead but were unable
to make them count. Extra Time followed but neither Team breaking the
Deadlock and to the dismay of many fans a Penalty shoot out ensued. After 5
Penalties each, the score was tired at 3-3 with Le Tallec and Sheringham
Missing for West Ham, and Forssell and Heskey for Birmingham, which lead to
Sudden death... Carrick was up for West Ham, but he curled it wide of the
Far post placing all the pressure on Dunn as he stepped up to Birmingham 6th
Penalty, however the pressure was too much as the shot was weak which was
Easily saved by the Hammers keeper. Ferdinand and Cunningham were up next
And both placed the ball with easy just out of reach of the keeper. Dailly
Was next for West Ham as he placed the ball on the spot and awaited the
Whistle... his shot sent the keeper the total wrong way as West Ham lead
5-4.  Johnson was next for City as he rifled a shot into the top right hand
Corner... keeper simply had no chance 5-5. Next for the Hammers was Keown,
Striking the ball well the ball curled towards the bottom left corner, but
The City Keeper was equal to it and tipped the ball around the post. Still
At 5-5 as Mechiot placed the ball on the spot, taking a long run up his shot
Aimed towards the right post as the keep flew across the goal and got a
Finger to it, but it was too powered to stop and found the back of the net
Sending Birmingham into the next round.
 
Arsenal continued their current league form against Championship visitors
Ipswich Town. With just 6 minutes on the clock Henry was brought down in the
Box and the Ref had no concerns in pointing to the spot, which Henry dewy
Converted. This started Arsenal wave of attack as Ljungberg slotted Arsenals
Second on 25 minutes and Henry got his second of the game on 38 minutes to
Round off an excellent first half performance.  In the Second half Ipswich
Found a different gear and started to push Arsenal into there own half
Forcing a number of saves by the Arsenal Keeper. It was Arsenal that got the
Goal as Van Persie scored on the counter. Ipswich's hard work finally paid
Off with Marcus Bents low swing shot finding the back of the net on 61
Minutes. However, it was Arsenal who had the last word, as a well worked
Goal in the last minute by Fabregas rounded off an excellent performance and
A 5-1 win.
 
Dubbed the most likely game for a cup upset, Palace were hosts to
Premiership Leaders Chelsea. It was Chelsea that scored the first as Drogba
Broke the offside trap after a cross-field pass by Beckham leaving him to
Calmly placed the ball pass the Palace Keeper on 8 minutes. Many thought
That the floodgates would open, but it was Palace that changed the tide with
A number of shots goal bound which lead to a corner on 18mins after a save
By the Chelsea goal stopper. Palace made a nuisance of themselves in the box
And Glen Johnson tried to head clear a swinging cross but redirecting passed
The helpless Keeper into the back of the net to the delight of Palace
Supporters. Chelsea's reply came just 4 minutes later as a shot by Drogba
Was parried and Makelele found himself at the right place and at the right
Time to place the ball into the empty net. Content with the score 2-1
Chelsea seemed to have switched off as Palace continued to press and cause
Problems. It was recently transfer listed Andy Johnson that started the
Crowd singing once again as he's 20 yard shot found the top corner of the
Net to give Palace a lifeline and extra time. It wasn't until the first
Minute of the second half of extra time that the deadlock was broken as
Drogba again making his presence felt resulting in Chelsea's penalty which
He converted sending Chelsea into the next round. Palace can take heart from
Their team’s performance and they showed that have what it takes to challenge
For promotion to the Premiership and Chelsea can think themselves lucky. 
 
Man Utd were the visitors to Everton in this all Premiership encounter. It
was former Everton wonder kid, Wayne Rooney that opened the scoring on 36
Minutes in the only goal in the first half with a lovely strike that found
The bottom left hand corner of the goal. Man Utd maintained the pressure in
The second half but Mcfadden had other ideas as he's goal on 68 minutes drew
Everton level. However Man Utd quickly reply just 3 minutes later and ended
Everton's hope for cup glory as Van Nistelrooy tapped the ball in the back
Of the net from five yards after a goalmouth scrabble leading from a Utd
Corner. Man Utd will find themselves travelling to Stamford Bridge for the
Quarter Final.
 
In a dramatic battle at Liverpool, Man City found themselves 4-3 winners to
The delight of the fans and Manager. It was Liverpool who found the net
First as Garcia headed the ball pass the City keeper from an excellent cross
from left midfield. However, it was the 18 year old Zeytulaev that stole the
show and made a name for himself scoring a hat trick for his new club.  The
equaliser game on 25 minutes as Zeytulaev pace left the Liverpool defence
standing giving the keeper no chance. He's second came just 10 minutes after
a City Corner which he header into the top corner of the net.  The Second
half started much like the first, as both keepers were kept busy. Then in
dazzling display 3 goals were scored in the space of 5 minutes. Milan Baros
scored the first on 51 minutes, a well place through ball from Morientes
left Baros with just the Keeper to beat bring the score back to 2-2. Just 4
minutes later and Sun Jihai scored Cities third in much the same as they
scored the second, left totally unmarked at the back as the corner wiped in
from the left to head home. Zeytulaev showed his skill once again as he
passed two defenders as he made his way into the box and was brought down
inside the box. There was only one person who was going to take this kick
and no one was going to argue, as Zeytulaev stepped up to take it and
slotted his third of the game. 4-2 up and City started to sit back as they
allowed Liverpool more and more of the ball. It wasn't until the 71 minute
that Liverpool got their 3rd, Morientes converter penalty as Baros was
brought down by the leg of a defender just inside the 18-yard box.
 
The South West derby saw Southampton visitors to Portsmouth as they cruised
into the next round with a 3-0 win. Quashie put the visitors ahead on 12
minutes with a sizzling strike against his former club, only to put
Southampton's second in after half time with a curling free kick on 71
minutes. Southampton final nail in the coffin came with the last kick of the
game as Phillips drove home a 30 yard shot.

 

 

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