| The
FA Cup returns to the BBC and Match of the Day
after an absence of too long to remember. With
fifteen games from the tournament shown live from
the first round onwards with two games covered
each Sunday of the tournament, plus highlights
from the other games, and the FA Cup final in its
traditional Saturday slot (albeit, not on the
last day of the season), and for the first time,
the Women's FA Cup Final Live. It
all starts on November 17th, with the League and
Non-League sides battling it out in the first two
rounds of the competition, before the Premiership
clubs join the tournament in January. Can
Liverpool retain the trophy in their attempts to
better last season's cup treble? Will it be
Arsenal's turn, so cruelly denied in the final
last year? Or will it be within Alex Ferguson's
sights in his final year at the healm of Man United,
to retain the trophy they gave up to play in the
FIFA Club Championship two season's ago, and were
eliminated in last year's tournament by a plucky
Paulo Di Canio and West Ham?
FA Cup Final Review
Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea, Celtic 2-3 Rangers, Doncaster Belles 1-2 Fulham Ladies
That lucky dressing room again, as Arsenal became the tenth team to win a final while occupying the north dressing room (and that record was stretched to eleven, when Cheltenham succeeded in winning the third division play-off final). It would certainly have needed something special to seperate these two London rivals, and Ray Parlour's screamer in the 70th minute was certainly special. Freddie Ljungberg made certain in the 77th minute with possibly his best goal of the season. Until then the two had more or less cancelled each other out. Chelsea succeeded in denying the Arsenal players space to run into, and as the second half wore on it looked more and more that it would be Chelsea's day. If Eidur Gudjohnsen's shot had not been tipped over the bar, then the blues could well have come away with the silverware and in the process, scuppered the first half of Arsenal'a proposed cup and league double. On the whole, Manu Petit and Frank Lampard were able to control the midfield, but gained little advantage in trying to get the ball forward and trouble the Arsenal defence, as veteran captain Tony Adams stood firm in what could prove to be his last FA Cup final. Chelsea's most leathful weapon, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was still suffering from a calf strain and lasted until the 68th minute to be replaced by Stamford Bridge's favouite son Gianfraco Zola. Two minute's later, Chelsea's attack broke down allowing Adams and Wiltord to set Parlour up on a sprint forward and hit stinging shot 25 yards out, which curled past Cudicini's out stretced hand and into the net. Ljungberg made his mark as one of the first players to score in successive finals when he left half time Chelsea substitute John Terry in his wake.
North of the boarder, the Scottish Cup Final treated the Old Firm fans to a five goal thriller, as Rangers came twice from behind to seal a 3-2 victory over Celtic, Lovenkrands scoring his second goal of the game deep into stoppage time. Fulham Ladies won the Women's FA Cup for the first time, beating Doncaster Belles 2-1. Goals came from Rachel Yankey with a low drive in the 55th minute and Katie Chapman in the 60th. Jodie Handley scored what became only a consolation for the Belles a minute later.
Chelsea actually haven't beaten Arsenal in the cup since 1947, in a 3rd round replay where they won 2-0 at Tottenham's White Hart Lane. In their last cup meeting, Arsenal won 3-1 in last year's 5th round. In the Premiership this season, the sides drew 1-1 at Stanford Bridge, and Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at Highbury.
Arsenal last won the cup in 1998, 2-0 against Newcastle, when they last completed the cup and league double in Arsene Wenger's first full year as manager. Preceding that, Arsenal also won 2-1 in a 1993 replay against Sheffield Wednesday. Chelsea have only won the cup 3 times to Arsenal's 7. The last time in 2000 against Aston Villa (1-0), and 2-1 against Middlesbrough in 1997.
(26/04/02) Those TV Times in full
(26/04/02) Women's FA Cup Final: Doncaster Belles v Fulham
(24/04/02) Lucky.......... Arsenal!
(18/04/02) Arsenal or Chelsea in the lucky changing rooms?
Arsenal fans will however occupy the Northern end of the stadium.
(16/04/02)Mike Riley is a Referee Sun 14 Apr 2002
Arsenal were given that little bit of luck often blessed on certain teams at this stage of the season as they contest championships and trophies (e.g. Liverpool last season, and Manchester United in 1999), via Gianluca Festa kicking the ball into the back of his own net from a Thierry Henry free-kick, wary of a pouncing Sol Campbell. Middlesbrough had put up a stoic defence and had succeeded in disrupting much of Arsenal's gameplan to put hit any team hard early on. It was clear of Middlesbrough's tactics of how they had succeeded in beating Manchester United twice in the FA Cup Fourth Round and in the Premierhip at Old Trafford. Middlesbrough had been ravaged upfront and in midfield by the loss of Jonathan Greening with a thigh injury, Paul Ince through suspension and cup-tied Beneito Carbone. Richard Wright retained his place in the Arsenal goal as he had done since round four of the cup, while Seaman continued in the league. Wright was forced into making a wicked stop from Dean Windass on 11 minutes, and Luke Wilkshire shot wide of the Arsenal goal. Both sides were forced into making substitutions after half an hour, Ehiogu suffering a hamstring injury, and Luzhney with a dead leg, to be replaced by Festa and Dixon respectively. Arsenal upped the tempo in the second half having gone surprisingly infront just before the break through Festa's O.G., and could've made sure but for Wiltord ballooning his one on one over the bar, and Henry failing to connect to Wiltord's cross. Arsenal were hit with a second injury blow when Campbell came off with a hamstring strain, forcing Vieira to partner Keown in defence. Dixon was then on hand to clear Windass's header off the line. In the end the O.G. was enough. Will they need this luck again in the final?
The other semi-final was practically over when John Terry directed Hasselbaink's corner into the Fulham net to go a goal up just before half-time, basically because Fulham just can't seem to score. However there was a suspicion that as-in the other tie, the goal was actually an O.G. as Louis Saha appeared to get a touch on the ball before it crossed the goal line. Fulham enjoyed much of the possession but were able to deliver very little end product, Chelsea meanwhile had the best chances but wasted all but the one. Again as-in the other semi, Chelsea also sustained the loss of a defender through injury. Step forward Graeme Le Saux who pulled up three minutes into the game while dribbling with the ball and under no pressure from the opposition. With ten-minutes to go, Ranieri took off Hasselbaink and brought on the hated Jokanovic. Had the game been forced into extra time then the consequences of this could've been far felt for the Italian manager who had just completed a two year contract extention.
Claudio Ranieri still has one eye on their Premiership progress as his Chelsea side tussle with Newcastle and Leeds for the final Champions League place which goes to the team that finishes fourth in the league. John Tigana's Fulham are meanwhile teetering just above the drop zone and may well come to resent the distraction of the FA Cup semi-final as they fight for their Premiership survival. Arguably the Premiership's most successful strike partnership of Hasselbaink and Gudjohnson will face a Fulham side who seem never able to score.
Steve Mclaren meanwhile has succeeded in almost guaranteeing Middlesbrough's Premiership safety in his first season in charge when the North East side looked like they were heading for the drop, for much of last season's Premiership campaign. This was capped by a remarkable victory over Manchester United in the league in March after already disposing of them in the cup. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are currently chasing a cup and league double as they are one of three teams in contention for the league title.
(15/03/02) Arsenal v Newcastle Round Four!
(14/03/02) Newcastle v Arsenal Ratings
Sat 23 Mar 2002
Four days is a long time in football. The Wednesday before this game, Arsenal had seen their treble dreams disintegrate as they fell to a 1-0 loss in Turin to a Juventus reserve side who had nothing to play for but their pride after progression to the Champions League semi-finals had become an impossiblity. Not that the result mattered to Arsenal as they were reliant on results elsewhere to allow them to progress, notably a loss or a draw by Bayer Leverkusen away to Deportivo La Corunia. As it turned out, Leverkusesn defeated the Italians 3-1 and finished top of the group, and La Corunia second. Arsenal were out. Newcastle had also seen their hopes of securing the Premiership title extinguished as they failed to record a win since the loss of influential striker Craig Bellamy, and now lay precariously in fourth place with Chelsea and Leeds ready to steal the final Champions League place. To Newcastle, the FA Cup was now their only realistic chance of silverware this season. To Arsenal, the cup could still form part of a Double not completed since 1998.
Newcastle had had their chances at St James' Park a fortnight before, and it would have been unlikely that they'd have got a second chance at Highbury. This was confirmed when the Newcastle defence were caught napping just two minutes into the match when Robert Pires met Dennis Bergkamp's cross to sent the ball past Shay Given. This exchange was reversed on 11 minutes, when Bergkamp met Pires' pass to put the home side 2-0 up with 79 minutes to go. Bobby Robson had made a point of telling his team that in no circumstances must they be found to be one or even two goals down so early on. But now here they were, forced to harry and chase the game until the final game. Again, they had their chances. The best being when Andy O'Brien met Nolberto Solano's cross and should have sent the ball sailing past Richard Wright to at least get one back, only to head the ball wide of the goal. Shearer also came close, but even the return of Dyer was not enought o get them back into the game, as the England midfielder found himself stifled by the Arsenal defence.
The scoreline could have been all the more greater in favour of the home side, had Robert Pires not fallen awkwardly when jumping over a Distdin tackle. The influential Frenchman who should be player of the year, had to be taken off midway through the second, and now faces missing the rest of the season as he damaged the medial ligaments in his leg, and is also doubtful for this year's World Cup. Still Dennis Bergkamp was able to trouble the Newcastle defence as he hit the woodwork twice and shot narrowly wide of goal.
The game was well and truly over at the start of the second half as Sol Campbell put Arsenal 3-0 up, heading the ball into the net from Dennis Bergkamp's free-kick.
Despite the injury to Pires, Arsenal's weekend was also boosted by the news that title rivals Manchester United had been beaten 1-0 by Middlesbrough in the ninth minute by Alan Boksic, leaving Arsenal a point behind the current Premiership holders with two games in hand. However, Liverpool were able to go top by beating Chelsea 1-0.
Sun 10 Mar 2002
In the space of seven minutes, Everton manager Walter Smith was suddenly out
of a job. That's how long it took for Steve Mclaren's Middlesborough to go
three nil up and book themselves a place in the semi-finals. Few teams could
have expected such an easy passage in a cup quarter final, especially when
pitted against a Premiership rival equal to your success and standing in the
league. Boro and Everton stand at 13 and 15 in the league respectively. But
a catalogue of defensive errors in the first half brought the whole game
crashing down for Everton, letting in Whelan (35), Nemeth (37) and Ince
(42).
In all fairness Walter Smith has had nothing but a rough ride since joining
the Merseyside club, over the years being forced to sell key players
including Oliver Dacourt, Francis Jeffers and Abel Xavier. It is Smith on
such a tight budget that had kept Everton in the Premiership. Now
managerless, and teetering ever nearer to the relegation zone, Everton's
Premiership status can no longer be assured.
Not a good time to be a Tottenham fan/manager/player/director. Still reeling
from the defeat by Blackburn in the Worthington Cup Final and the 4-0 defeat
at Old Trafford at the weekend, the north London club completely capitulated
to their London rivals Chelsea on their home patch. Traditionally, Chelsea
always seemed to have the better of Spurs, but this time they had the added
incentive of reeking revenge on them for the Blues humiliating 5-1 defeat in
the second leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final earlier in the year. So,
for the second game in a row, Tottenham were beaten by four goal to nil.
Galas (12), Gudjohnson (49,66) and Le Saux (55) were on target for Chelsea.
Le Saux was sent off for a wild challenge on Taricco, but by then Chelsea's
semi-final birth against Fulham was confirmed.
Fulham themselves disposed of last league side West Bromwich Albion, via a
single goal from Marlet in the first half.
Sat 09 Mar 2002
Consecutive defeats by Arsenal and Liverpool had finally put paid to
Newcastle's championship aspirations. The lose of Craig Bellamy had resulted
in the North East side slipping to fourth in the league and the final
Champions League birth to cling onto with either Chelsea or Leeds capable of
putting a run together that could relegate Newcastle to the UEFA Cup or
worse (the Intertoto). So it came as no surprise to anyone that Newcastle
weren't going to go down without a fight here with their last chance for
silverware in their sights, on their home ground against a side who had
defeated them 2-0 at the same venue a week earlier.
Newcastle fielded their strongest possible side, Carl Cort coming in to
partner Shearer, and McClen and Acuna in midfield. Arsenal didn't, living
the in form Pires and Bergkamp on the bench. Newcastle went for the juggular
from the off, pinning Arsenal back in their own half, so it came as some
surprise to see the Gunners go a goal up through a defensive error by Distin
letting in Edu to meet Wiltord's cross and fire past Given. 1-0 to the
Arsenal. Still, Newcastle piled forward, desparately in search of the
equaliser, playing as if there was only mere minutes to go instead of 70.
Newcaslte battered at Arsenal's defences, but found themselves going in at
half-time still a goal down.
Newcastle's equaliser came in the second half via a mean strike from Laurent
Robert. The arrival of Bergkamp and Pires indicated Wenger's intensions of
winning the tie, and the team finally showed the kind of fighting spirit
absent from them until now. The tie ended one all, but Newcastle would have
been the deserved victors had there been one that day. And so the saga is
set to continue at the site of the London club's defeat to Newcastle last
December, that of Highbury...
Tue 26 Feb 2002
Everton had notched up a 1-1 draw against their fierce rivals Liverpool as Anfield three days earlier. But how would they approach a lower division team in the fifth round replay away from home that they could only draw blanks against earlier in the month? The writing appeared to be on the wall for Everton in the first half, when Crewe youngster Dean Ashton put the home side a goal up. However, much against the run of play, Everton equalised on the stroke of half time through Tomasz Radzinski. Everton were suddenly revitalised in the second half, and Kevin Campbell wrapped up the points. Crewe will look back on this as a missed opportunity.
Sun 17 Feb 2002
Kevin Keegan returned to his old club to raptuosus applause from the Newcastle supporters. A credit to them all, as not every ex-Manager or Player could hope to be given such a warm reception on returning their old respective clubs. Manchester City displayed much of what they had been doing all season in the first divison, but it was Nolberto Solano's goal in the 59th minute that eventually separated the sides, as the City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver pressed the self-destruct button when he came bounding off his line, missing Solano and the ball, and leaving the Newcastle midfielder, with an open goal to fire into. City played for much of the game with ten men, after Dunne had been sent off for a professional foul after bringing Craig Bellamy to the floor when clear on goal. City marched on none the less, and a draw would have been the least that they deserved, but they didn't even get that.
Tottenham breezed past their opponents, and Chelsea were saved the indignity of yet another replay against another team of lower division opponents. Everton however, were less than impressive as they could only draw against Crewe at home.
Sat 16 Feb 2002
Tony Adams returned to the Arsenal side for the first time since November, to send his side onto a fifth round victory over Gillingham of Division One, via a header from Pires' cross putting the Gunners into a 3-2 lead. Adams return couldn't have been more well timed, with injuries to Keown, Upson, and Cole, and suspensions to Luzhny, and Van Bronckhorst. And it was a mixture of the old and new in the Arsenal defence, with Adams joined by Super Summer signing Sol Campbell from Spurs in the centre of midefield, Arsenal veteran Lee Dixon making his first start in the right-back position this season, and Brasilian defender Juan with only his second appearance for Arsenal. Before the game, Gillingham player/coach Andy Hessenthaler had pointed out that his side were not in the fourth round to simply make up the numbers, and so his players showed coming from behind twice in 8 minutes after half time. King and Gooden were on target for the home side with two excellently executed volleys. Wiltord had put the home side a goal up just before half time, putting in the rebound from the keeper blocking Francis Jeffers shot, returning to the side from injury. Kanu put Arsenal 2-1 ahead meeting Edu's (also making a rare appearance) deflected free-kick. It was almosr stalemate after Ty Goodan scored the second equaliser, and with half an hour to go the Gillingham travelling contingent could've been forgiven for thinking they could pull off a replay. That was until Pires and Henry were thrown on for Edu and Jeffers, and after Adam's put the Gunners into a 3-2 lead, Wiltord scored a second, and Parlour made it 5-2 with a volley to equal the two Gillingham goals. A lopesided final score, as Gillingham were better than they were given credit.
Graham Souness was left fuming when Lucas Neill was sent packing by referee Graham Barber, changing the complection of a tie between Middlesbrough and Blackburn which looked to be heading for a goaless draw. Souness labelled the refereing as 'minging' when Neill's was sent off after colliding with Robbie Stockdale with 17 minutes remaining. Matt Jansen's dissent resulted in a free-kick being moved 10 paces forwarded, resulting in a goal for Ehiogu and Boro. Minging for Souness indeed.
Tue/Wed 07/08 Feb 2002
John Terry made amends tonight to win the tie for Chelsea and send West Ham crashing out of the Cup, losing 3-2 in stoppage time. And it was Terry who had opened the scoring in the 38th minute, unfortunately into the wrong net when he deflected Defoe's shot into the Chelsea goal. Kitson almost doubled the Hammers lead almost immediately when he saw his shot tipped over the bar by Cudicini. Chelsea levelled the score on the stroke of half-time when Hasselbaink took his free kick early while David James was still lining up the West Ham wall. Chelsea were down again in the 50th minute when Defoe hit Cudicini's parried ball from Hutchinson into the net, but the Blues came from behind through subsitiute Micheal Forssell. Hutchinson could've saved the tie late on for West Ham, but it was to be Chelsea's day.
Spurs meanwhile made very light work of defeating Bolton only weeks after they'd sent them out of the Worthington Cup by six goals. This time there was only the four, staring with a Darren Andeton penalty in the first half. Iverson and Etherington also made it onto the score sheet for the London side playing on home turf in a tie that had to be rescheduled after a water logged pitch a week and a half earlier. Barnes hit the ball into his own net to add to Bolton's misery. With performances like this, Bolton Manager Sam Alardyce muct be fearful of how much longer they can remain in the Premiership as they currently sit third from bottom.
Another resheduled tie was the meeting between Gillingham of the first dvision and Bristol Rovers of the third, who had thrashed Derby in the last round. However there were no Nathan Ellington heroics this time, as continual Gillingham pressure finally paid off in the 32nd minute through a Jones own goal. Rovers increased the tempo in the second half, but Gillingham were so much the better side, which probably isn't reflected in the scoreline. Gillingham will meet Arsenal in the fifth round.
Sun 27 Jan 2002
Arsenal were worthy victors in this replay of last years final. Dennis Bergkamp put the Gunners a goal in front when Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Thierry Henry combined well to set Bergkamp up to head past Dudek. Owen could have scored early on but Wright saved well with his legs in the Arsenal goal. Anelka was mostly anonymous for Liverpool, but hit the post before being substituted in the first half. Arsenal were mostly confortable, and didn't miss Pires who went off with a back injury early on, and was replaced by the steel of Ray Parlour, joining Vieira in midfield. In the second half, Owen was almost one on one with the keeper when Keown tried to haul him back. Referee Mike Riley had no real option but to show red. Minutes later, Bergkamp incensed that Sami Hypia had gotten away with a clear handball, took to try and stamp on Jamie Carragher. He joined Keown down the tunnel. Then Carragher returned a coin tossed onto the pitch, back into the crowd, and Riley had to produce his third red of the afternoon. What had been an entertaining game of football had been transformed into this within minutes. And questions should be asked how Heskey stayed on the pitch for a series of poor tackles throughout the match. Ten versus nine, but depsite their numerical advantage, Liverpool could not breakdown the Gunners who had reorganised into a 4-3-1 formation with Thierry Henry upfront and Matthew Upson taking up the position vacated by Keown alongside Sol Campbell. Of particular note was Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole who continually harried Steven Wright as he broke up the flank and was possibly Liverpool's best player, until he was replaced by Danny Murphy who had sealed the Liverpool victory at Old Trafford earlier in the week. But it wasn't to be this time.
Barry Fry's Peterbrough went out of the FA Cup in style, as they put up a rousing performance against Newcastle United at London Road. Newcastle looked to be comfortable when 2-0 up at the break through goals from O'Brien and Maclen, despite Peterbrough's resiliance. It was all The Posh in the second half, and they managed to level the tie, forcing O'Brien into an scoring own goal, and Ferral got the second. The Posh should at least have done enough to earn a replay at St James' Park, and could've gone 3-2 up. Newcastle were awarded a penalty five-mintes from time when Shearer's header from Solano's free-kick hit Leon Mckenzie's arm. Shearer duely converted, and Hughes scored a minute later to send them into the next round where they'll meet...
...Kevin Keegan's Manchester City, who exacted revenge on Ipswich Town at Portman Road, the place where their fate was sealed in the Premiership fixture last year, sending them back down into Division One. City were well worth their money and may have shown their credentials that they can survive in the Premiership next time. The tie finished 4-1 in favour of the visitors through Berkovic, Goater (2), and Huckerby. City were 2-0 up when Bent struck for Ipswich in the 83rd minute, but City took advantage of the gaps left at the back of Ipswich'd defence as the Premiership side piled forward to try and rescue the tie. Elsewhere, Cheltenham Town of the Third Division pulled off a shock defeat of First Division Burnley, winning 2-1. And Tranmere beat Cardiff 3-1.
Sat 26th Jan 2002
Sir Alex Ferguson bid the FA Cup fairwell today as his international stars crashed out of the FA Cup fifth round for the second year running. Two strikes from Middlesbrough in the final five minutes sealed a victory for Steve Mclaren over his old boss, as Manchester United were again let down by the individual errors which have seen them lose seven games in the league so far. Boro keeper Mark Crossley sent a long ball into the United half, which Laurent Blanc let sail over him thinking Fabian Barthez would gather. He obviously didn't expect Noel Whelan to take the ball past Barthez and open the score. Campbell followed minutes later to seal the victory. Before the late strikes, the tie looked like it would be heading for a replay. Boro were poor in the first half, missing a clutch of players through injury such as Ehiogu and Ince. United, underestimating their opponents, fielded a side without Beckham and Veron, and Van Nistlerooy and Giggs on the bench. Fergie played the old 3-5-1 system with Solsjkaer upfront, and Scholes tucked in behind, a formation that has more often than not, been present in their defeats than victorys. Scholes shot wide early on, but it seemed the reds lacked that cutting edge and saw the ball cleared off the line twice by Whelan. A rejigging by Maclaren at half time, saw Middlesbrough switch to 3-5-2 and an improvement in their overall play which allowed them to win more of the ball in midfield. Fergie sent on Van Nistlerooy and Giggs, sensing the home side's sudden dominance, and reverted to a 4-4-2. Then 2-0 down, Fergie substituted Solsjkaer for Yorke but there would be no three-goal comeback this time. Interestingly, Diego Forlan, a recent Boro target until Man Utd signed him, was watching from the stands. I wonder what he must have been thinking?
Premiership side Charlton Athletic were humbled by lower division opponents Walsall at home, as they went a goal down after only five minutes, through a sublime strike by Jorge Leitao after Chris Bart-Williams dallied on the ball. Leitao then doubled their advantage on 58 minutes. Walsall keeper saved a 68th minute penalty from Stewart, who eventually did score to make the tie 2-1.
Their were question marks over which Chelsea would turn up today. The Chelsea that had only a week earlier disposed of the day's cup opponents West Ham in the Premiership, or the Chelsea that had been thrashed themselves by Tottenham in mid-week? For much of the tie, it appeared the former had turned up, and this may have been confirmed when Hasslebank struck exquisitely to put the Blues a goal up. However, Chelsea could not increase their lead further, but they seemed to be crusing until the Hammers struck back through Frederic Kanoute, after their free-kick was only half cleared and the ball fell to Carrick which hit Cole and then fell to Kanoute to tap into the net. The tie will be replayed, and West Ham must now be favourites to make it through to the fifth round.
Everton made easy work of Leyton Orient, as they thrashed them 4-1. A diving header by McHee after 12 minutes put the Merseysiders 1-0 up, as it was into his own net. Duncan Ferguson increased their lead, and Kevin Campbell got the final two. Canham got the league side a consolation on 36. Gascogine was in top form playing a key role all four of the goals.
Fulham were too much for debt-ridden York, beating them 2-0, and West Bromwich Albion beat Leicester by a single goal.
(19/01/02) Hoping for a Giant Killer? - MOTD to screen Ipswich v Man City clash (15/01/02) FA Cup Ratings Winner for Five goal thriller! (13/01/02) Arsenal and Liverpool clash Live on MOTD Tue/Wed 15/16 Jan 2002 It's been a long time coming, but here are the final fixtures in the FA Cup 3rd Round. The last Premiership team of the round to fall were Southampton, losing 2-1 to Rotherham through goals from Richie Barber and John Mullin. Apart from that, ir was pretty routine for the other Premiership sides. Fulham and Chelsea went through the second time of asking, and they were joined by Middlebrough dispatching a spirited Wimbledon, Spurs beat a disapointing Coventry, an under-strength Blackburn beat Barnsley 3-1 and Bolton saw off Carlton Palmer's Stockport County.
A special mention should however go to Darlington v Peterborough. The home side were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute when Danny Mellanby was fouled by Simon Rhea in the area. Ben Atkinson saw his shot punched away, and saved again when he fired in the rebound. However with the chance seemingly gone, the referee ordered the penalty be retaken when he judged the Peterborough goalkeeper to have moved off his line. Barry Conlon took the penalty this time, but fired the ball up over the bar. Despite this, Darlington went a goal up four minutes later, and made it two on 59 minutes. But slack defending saw the home side's advantage slip away, and the match finished 2-2. The game will be replayed on Monday 19th January.
Tue 08 Jan 2002 Four rearranged fixtures called off last Saturday due to the freezing weather. First up, were giant killers Wycombe Wanderers who had killed off Leicester last season in the quarter finals, and they were at it again, holding Fulham 2-1 until late on, having gone a goal down at the start of the first half. A tussle in the penalty area saw a Barry Hales chip into the area scrambled into the homeside's goal by Steve Marlet's header, to set up a replay at Craven Cottage in a weeks time. And, this tie is anything but over. Fulham had gone a goal up just after half time through Sylvain Legwinski. However, Wycombe were awarded a penalty when Jermaine McSporan was brought down in the area by Alain Goma. Steve Brown converted the spoyt kick for Wycombe. And it was MacSporan again who put Wycombe a goal up in the 64th minute.
Also drawing were Wimbledon against their old Premiership rivals Middlesbrough. Boro awful, the home side not much better, so it's no wonder this ended goaless.
Walsall meanwhile, eased through to the fourth round against Bradford, thanks to two early second half goals against Bradford. And it was eventually comfortable for Tranmere Rovers, earing a 3-1 away victory against Third Divsion Southend, despite having to wait until the 63rd minute to break the deadlock. They'll face Cardiff at home in the fourth round.
Sun 06 Jan 2002 West Ham eventually eased through against Macclesfield, the first of the day's supposed 'Banana Skin Games' (Copyright: Every pundit on the BBC, SkySports, Gabby Yorath/Logan on On The Ball, Fleet Street, etc..). Jermain Defoe provided the first goal on the stroke of half time for the Premiership side, minutes after Macclesfield almost went ahead themselves. Another Defoe goal and one from Joe Cole (Co. of Beale's Chip Shop) wrapped up the game, but not before John Moncur saw red after slicing down Chris Byrne. Moncur's attempt to hoist the Macclesfield player up off the floor also earnt him a headbutt, but referee Jeff Winter (oh yes!) ignored it, and instead showed Moncur two yellows, and also booked Dailly and Macclesfield's Danny Adams. Go figure...
What followed at Pride Park later that afternoon really was a 'Banana Skin' of the kind that will no doubt be replayed for years to come on pre-3rd Round documentaries fronted by the twin-set of Danny's Baker and Kelly. Derby County, currently sitting at the lower echelons of the Premiership were literally torn to shreds by a team currently sitting 6th from bottom of the Division Three. Bristol Rovers, who had taken their previous two FA Cup game's to replays, ran riot with 20 year old striker Nathan Ellington hitting a hat-trick by the 62nd minute. Ravanelli's goal for the home side in the 68th was scant consolation.
The third Premiership side to be dumped out of the competition came only and hour after the last. This time it was the current Premiership leaders, Leeds Utd's turn to endure the upset of a an early exit from the competition by Cardiff City of Division Two. Mark Viduka actually put Leeds in front, with Kavanagh equalising for the home side on 21. Alan Smith was sent off for using his forearm on Andy Legg. Leeds plan to appeal, and could be successful as Legg confirmed that the tackle was of a non-malicious nature. Down to ten-men for the entire second half, Leeds were hemmed into their half. Young denied Viduka late on, and went on to score the winner for Cardiff. However the match was marred by the throwing of missiles by both sets of fans throughout, at each other and the players and match officials on the pitch. The situation was not helped by Cardiff owner Sam Hamman leaving the director's box towards the end of the game, and walking half way round the pitch and past the Leeds supporters to stand behind the Leeds goal. At full time, Hamman ran onto the pitch holding aloft a large Welsh flag. Thousands of Cardiff supporters followed his lead, and ran over to taunt the Leeds fans. The melee had to be broken up by armed police and dogs. After the match, Five Live reporter Jonathan Overend had his recording equipment confiscated and was escorted out the ground when he had tried to interview Hamman. Then, Leeds manager David O'leary had to be physically restrained by Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale, when he tried to confront Hamman. The FA and the FAW are launching a joint enquiry into the incident, and Cardiff and Hamman could be fined, closed, and at worse, thrown out of the competition.
At 7pm, the final game of the weekend kicked off, Aston Villa v Man Utd, the only all Premierhip tie of the round. Utd were playing at Villa Park, a stadium they haven't lost in since the 1950s. But could there be a final twist in the tale for the weekend? It certainly seemed as though there might. For all Utd's possession they failed to make it count, creating few chances, with only Ole Gunar Solsjkaer upfront. Lead goal scorer Ruud Van Nistlerooy was on the bench. A defensive mistake by Phil Neville in the second half allowed Taylor in to put the home side a goal up. Then minutes later, Neville headed the ball past his own keeper and Villa were leading 2-0. Fergie visibly fuming, he sent on Van Nistlerooy as Man U reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, subsituting Chadwick who had come on earlier for Butt. Solsjkaer skipped past the Villa keeper Schmeichal to get a goal back, and the Van Nistlerooy struck twice before the end to snatch the tie. The game was also marred by pitch invasions by Man U supporters, although without the intent of the Cardiff fans previously.
Sat 05 Jan 2002
Well, it's been quite a weekend. With ten ties cancelled due to frozen pitches, their was still plenty of action to behold. In all fairness, the majority of Saturday's results went according to plan, with few upsets in sight.
First safely through to the fourth round were Arsenal who were able to stroll to a 4-2 victory against Gianluca Viali's Watford, with Thierry Henry and Fredrick Ljungberg opening the scoring within the first ten minutes. With the tie seemingly dead, Watford struck back quickly through Noel-Williams. But the tie was still never in doubt, as Nwankwo Kanu could have put the away side's scoreline into double figures. The Nigerian finally got the ball on target on 63 minutes, after Van Bronckhorst's goal just before the break had been ruled out at the close of the first half due to a handball. Dennis Bergkanp wrapped up the Arsenal score on 85 through an Ashley Cole pass into the box. However there was still time for Gayle to get another back for the home side ending the tie 4-2.
Sunderland were less fortuante however, becoming the first Premiership scalp of the weekend, beaten 2-1 by West Brom at the Stadium of Light. Both non-League sides Dagenham & Redbridge and Canvey Island were disposed of by Ipswich Town and Burnley respectively by a 4-1 scoreline, the former non-league team having gone in front.
Liverpool progressed with ease against last year's Worthington Cup opponents Birmingham, winning 3-0 at Anfield via a Michael Owen double, and Nicolas Anelks's first for the club.
Chelsea can thank their lucky stars (or more accurately, goalkeeper Claudio Cuddacini) that they managed book themselves a replay at home, after being pegged back for much of the second half by a plucky Norwich. Everton manager Walter Smith may just have saved his job after five straight defeats in the Premiership, thanks to a late Alan Stubbs freekick put the Premiership side 1-0 up against battling Stoke of Division Two.
Living dangerously were both Newcastle Utd against Crystal Palace, and Man City against Swindon Town, both carrying 1-0 narrow leads, until the two home sides eventually finished the game late on 2-0 up.
12/18/19 Dec 2001 For some reason or other the replays have been played out over an eight day period despite their being only three. Division Three strugglers Bristol Rovers booked an encounter in the third round against Premiership strugglers Derby County, after beating 3rd Division leaders Plymouth Argyle 3-2. Rovers had gone two goals up in the second half, and the tie looked over until two late equalisers from Plymouth. However an even later winner from Rovers sealed the tie.
Exeter meanwhile, spent the majority of their away tie to Conference side Dagenham & Redbridge hemmed into their own half, enabling the home side to seal the tie in the first half with a three-nil scoreline, and setting up an encounter with bottom Premiership club Ipswich Town.
(Update 19/12/01) Also watch out for what's likely to be a God Awful FA Cup ediition of A Question of Sport (featuring Lineker and Hansen) which is the only way Ally McCoist's gonna be involved in the tournament this year, and some Doco or other focusing on FA Cup Giant Killers. So that'll be a dismissed Laurie Sanchez watching Wycombe beat Leicester from a telly in the dressing room again.
Weekend 07/08/09 Dec 2001
Giant killers Canvey Island have been awarded a 3rd Round tie with First Division leaders Burnley, after they beat Northampton 1-0 through Neil Gregory early in the second half. Stars of MOTDs first round live game, Hereford almost accomplished a similar feat, fighting back from going a goal down away to Swindon, to lead the tie 2-1. However, it wasn't to be, as the West Country side fought back to finish the tie 3-2.
Cardiff's 3-0 victory at home against Port Vale means they'll face Premiership high flyers, Leeds Utd in the next round. Meanwhile, either Exeter or Dagenham & Redbridge will entertain botton Premiership side Ipswich. Wycombe who threw Leicester out the cup last year, will meet Fulham.
The only Premiership tie of the round will be Aston Villa V Man UTD. Liverpool entertain Birmingham, while Arsenal travel across London to Watford.
27/28 Nov 2001
Poor non-league Forest Green Rovers looked like they might finally make it to the second round of the FA Cup and beat their first league side in the form of Macclesfield Town. The tie finished 1-1 after extra time, and so was taken to penalties where an FA Cup record was made as it took 24 penalty kicks before the deadlock was broken. The tie ended 11-10 in favour of the league side.
Non-league Newport Town were also denied entry to the second round in extra time, where a three goal brace from Blackpool ended the tie 4-1 in favour of the visitors.
Weekend 16/17/18 Nov 2001
Hereford booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup through an Ian Wright goal in the 9th minute, disposing of Wrexham in the first live FA Cup game on MOTD this season.
In the other featured games, it was honours even for both Whitby Town and Plymouth Argyle (1-1), and the same for Bedford and Peterborough (0-0) which saw the return of current Plymouth manager Barry Fry to his old stomping ground.
Elsewhere, Second Division side Bristol City lost at home to Third Division side Leyton Orient, while Aldershot Town of the Ryman Premier League were much the better side against Third Division side Bristol Rovers, but it ended goaless.
Earlier this year, the FA Cup winners met the league winners in the annual pre-season warm up... Sun
12 Aug 2001 The football season kicks off with the annual defeat of the league champions. Alex Ferguson is furious that Roy Keane's still on the pitch. Liverpool were awarded a penalty as soon as the first minute of the match thanks to a crunching tackle from Roy Keane. Gary McAllister delivered from the spot, and then wonder kid Michael Owen made it two nil on 18 minutes. The Manchester United reply came in the second half, when Ruud Van Nistlerooy fired home, having already come close twice before. To be fair United had already been denied two clear penalties. So it's a job well done from referee Andy D'urso. In all this brings a premature end to David Beckham's prediction that Man United would go unbeaten all season, and Ryan Giggs, that they'd win the quadrople (unless you count the Worthington Cup, and I can't see Ales Ferguson fielding a first team squad for that). Highlights were shown on Match of the Day, at the unusually early time of 6:55pm Gary Lineker "Well that's about it for our early evening experiment. Bet somebody will copy it!"
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FA Cup Final 2001/2002....
(17/12/01)Hammer Joins Eastenders Shock!
and Teddy 'Tap-In' Sheringham appears alongside some medic I've never heard of from Holby City. Could they not get Casualty then? Oh look, we have even real life images. Whatever next! Look, it's plainly obvious that I'm trying to drag this bit out for as long as possible, to make the text fit the length of the images, so here's some other suggesions. How about Lee Boyer and Jonathan Woodgate turning up in The Bill? Or Dwight Yorke on Channel X?