Ferguson overshadows FA Cup final

 

The news of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement has dominated the headlines this week but in case you had forgotten, there's an FA Cup final being played at Wembley on Saturday.

Manchester City are strong favourites as they take on Wigan Athletic, who are also fighting for their Premier League survival.

Several reports also suggest Roberto Mancini is battling to save his job with Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini being tipped to replace the Italian at the Etihad Stadium this summer. 
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FA Cup heartbreak: Aguero sorry for Luiz horror tackle

 

Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup saw Roberto Martinez’s men book a date with Wigan in the final, but left David Luiz seething after a challenge from Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine escaped a yellow card, and subsequent action from the Football Association, for his high two-footed tackle on the Brazilian.
However, he did not escape the attention of of Luiz who insisted he forgave his fellow South American for his “bad tackle”.
Aguero then took to Twitter to say sorry, revealing that he had apologised to the Chelsea man and explaining his moment of madness as “an impulse reaction that shouldn't have happened”.

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Wenger's search for silverware continues

 

Arsenal's long wait for a piece of silverware continues after crashing out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side, who have not won a trophy since May 2005, suffered a fifth round defeat at home to Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.

The Gunners are still in the Champions League, but judging by Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich's scintillating form, Wenger might have better luck finding a trophy with a metal detector. 
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Premier League casualties pile up during week of Cup giant-killings

 

It may well be a cliche but the 'magic of the FA Cup' returned with a vengeance at the weekend as Premier League clubs far and wide found themselves dumped out of the competition by lower league opposition.

Millwall got things started on Friday night, adding to Aston Villa's woes by sending Paul Lambert's men packing with a 2-1 win at The Den.
Saturday saw yet more surprises with MK Dons thrashing QPR and non-league Luton upsetting Norwich at Carrow Road.

And Sunday saw yet more shocks with Leeds humbling Tottenham, Brentford holding European champions Chelsea and Liverpool booted out of the competition by Oldham.

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Super Van Persie rescues Manchester United in the nick of time

 

Robin van Persie scores when he wants. What started as a defiant chant by Arsenal fans last season has now been adopted by gleeful Manchester United supporters but, no matter who is doing the singing, they appear to be right.

The Dutchman has continued the blistering form which enabled him to light up north London last season, and on Saturday he notched his 20th goal of the season for United with a last-minute equaliser against West Ham.

Sam Allardyce's men thought they had booked their passage into the FA Cup fourth round courtesy of two James Collins headers but, at the death, substitute Van Persie sensationally took a brilliant lofted pass from Ryan Giggs in his stride before rifling the ball low into the net with his supposedly weaker right foot.

The two sides will now have to do battle again to see whose FA Cup dream will stay alive, and only a fool would bet against Van Persie making the difference again.
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Chelsea pensioners enjoy FA Cup

 

Goals from Ramires and Didier Drogba helped Chelsea to a 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Liverpool on Saturday.

The Wembley win is a concrete sign of the turnaround in fortunes at the club since Andre Villas-Boas' departure in March, with interim boss Roberto Di Matteo leading the west Londoners to silverware and a Champions League final later this month.

Now, with the Blues securing their fourth win in the competition in six years, it seems the Chelsea pensioners are enjoying the comfort of the FA Cup...

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Mata's 'ghost goal' spooks Spurs

 

Juan Mata scored a 'phantom goal' for Chelsea when they beat Tottenham 5-1 at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The Spain international's shot didn't seem to cross the line, but referee Martin Atkinson was quick to award the goal that took the Blues 2-0 up early in the second half.

Three more strikes from Ramires, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda followed, but it was the controversial decision to allow the second goal that had fans up in arms, with John Terry admitting after the game that he didn't think the ball had crossed the line.

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'Donkey' Carroll wins the derby by a head

 

A late header from Andy Carroll earned Liverpool a 2-1 victory against city rivals Everton and a place in the FA Cup final versus the winner of the other semi-final between Chelsea and Tottenham.

It was a rare demonstration of the 23-year-old's scoring abilities, as the former Newcastle United striker has, at times, failed to justify his hefty €41 million price tag. But in the Liverpool derby, Carroll's strike proved decisive - a goal he celebrated like he had won the famous Grand National.


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Di Matteo forced into juggling act in Chelsea fixture circus

 

Victory would have seen Chelsea rise to fourth position in the league, taking a huge step towards qualification for next season's Champions League. However, the result meant that the west Londoners remain in sixth position, two points behind the vital cut-off spot for Europe's premier club competition.

With the team still competing on three fronts, the pressure on Chelsea is increasing by the week. It will need to be a fine balancing act if Di Matteo is to mastermind his side to success in the FA Cup and Champions League, as well as a top-four finish.

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Dazzled David de Gea and Suarez

 

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea turned in another disappointing performance as the Red Devils suffered a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

And as he watched from the stands, Luis Suarez, who is currently serving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, came up with the secret ingredient - a doughnut, for which De Gea is known to have a craving.

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TIMES in the Premier League

Both the two teams of Manchester have won something this year; Manchester United grabbed the Premier League trophy, and Manchester City grabbed the FA Cup.

In the past Liverpool used to be considered in an upper level above Manchester United, as they had more league trophies, but finally United have broke this record.

On the other hand United used to disgrace City of not winning any trophy, even they built a clock that counts how many years that City is out of trophies

Ferguson and Leyton Orient

Manchester United defeated their fourth-round FA Cup quarter-finalist Crowley with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wesley Brown. .

Less than 24 hours after Saturday's result when United played in their second place, Arsenal could have crossed Leyton Orient from the top flight with an orphan's goal. In the 89th minute, Oren won the respect of English football fans to force Arsenal to return the match at the Emirates Stadium and this will put physical pressure on Wenger's men who will play the Carling Cup final on Sunday before their match. Night against Stoke City (postponed from 18th week).

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