Header Ads Widget

Ticker

6/recent/ticker-posts

FA CUP ROUND UP

 Liverpool 5 Swansea 0: Coutinho opens by eliudpro twitter ...


New signing Philippe Coutinho marked his Liverpool debut with a goal as an understrength Swansea side with one eye on a Wembley final next week put up little fight at Anfield.
The 20-year-old scored the important second moments after the break following Steven Gerrard's first-half penalty.
Jose Enrique, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, also from the spot, finished off the visitors who rarely looked interested in, or capable of, making a contest of it.
Off the mark: Philippe Coutinho scores his first goal for Liverpool 16 seconds into the second period
Off the mark: Philippe Coutinho scores his first goal for Liverpool 16 seconds into the second period
making a point: Luis Suarez scored the fourth of Liverpool's goals with an eye-catching run and shot
making a point: Luis Suarez scored the fourth of Liverpool's goals with an eye-catching run and shot
On our way: Liverpool celebrate Steven Gerrard's goal, which gave them the lead at Anfield
On our way: Liverpool celebrate Steven Gerrard's goal, which gave them the lead at Anfield
But after a home defeat to West Brom and one against Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League this game took on even more significance.Brendan Rodgers, facing the club he left in the summer for the third time this season, began the week talking up what an important seven days lay ahead.
It was a match Liverpool effectively could not afford to do anything but win, although that only served to paper over the cracks which have been exposed recently.
As emphatic as the scoreline was - incredibly securing a first win over a top-10 side this season - it only served to prove just how frustrating the Reds can be.
Earlier in the week they created as many if not more chances against the Baggies but failed to put any away.
The same problem befell them in Russia, with a similar 2-0 defeat the outcome, but in some ways Swansea probably provided the ideal opposition for the Reds to end a five-match win-less run.
Physically unintimidating, with a bigger prize on offer in seven days' time, they were also the perfect team for the slight and youthful-looking Coutinho to make his first appearance since an £8.5million move from Inter Milan late last month.
Opener: Steven Gerrard makes no mistake with his penalty to give Liverpool the lead on 34 minutes
Opener: Steven Gerrard makes no mistake with his penalty to give Liverpool the lead on 34 minutes

by eliudpro twitter Chelsea 4 Brentford 0:


Frank Lampard and John Terry scored in front of owner Roman Abramovich as holders Chelsea overcame stubborn Brentford in an FA Cup replay at Stamford Bridge to set up a fifth-round clash with Middlesbrough.
Juan Mata fired a clinical opening goal after 54 minutes and Oscar, who hit the outside of a post in the first half, tucked in his second goal in four days after 68 minutes.
Mata was the provider for Lampard's 199th Chelsea goal before Terry headed in an 81st-minute fourth as last season's Champions League winners stayed on course for a fifth FA Cup triumph in seven seasons.
Pulling the trigger: Juan Mata shoots to score Chelsea's opening goal against Brentford
Pulling the trigger: Juan Mata shoots to score Chelsea's opening goal against Brentford.
After a troubled spell of three wins in 10 games, interim boss Rafael Benitez has now steered the Blues to three successive victories.
The Spaniard is yet to silence his numerous doubters in the Chelsea support, though.
There were reminders of Chelsea's managerial past throughout; the 16th-minute ovation for Roberto Di Matteo and another former Blues boss present in Avram Grant.
Benitez will likely be reminded of Di Matteo up to the clash with Middlesbrough on February 27 following the Italian's 1997 Wembley goal against the Teessiders.
Terry has been said to exert more influence than any of those occupying the place on the bench reserved for the manager, but Chelsea before kick-off vehemently denied suggestions of a recent bust-up between Benitez and the captain.
Terry has been troubled by a knee injury since November and five times he has been an unused substitute under the Spaniard, including for Thursday's 1-0 Europa League win at Sparta Prague.
On their way: Mata's goal broke Brentford's brave resistance at Stamford Bridge
On their way: Mata's goal broke Brentford's brave resistance at Stamford Bridge
The 32-year-old made just his third start under the interim boss as one of six changes today, while Brentford made three alterations to the side which beat Stevenage, but began with Harry Forrester, who scored in the original tie at Griffin Park, on the bench.
The visitors had the first effort on goal as Adam Forshaw shot wide across Petr Cech before Bees captain Jonathan Douglas tried to spark an attack and was caught on the ankle by a late and high tackle by Gary Cahill.
Victor Moses, returning following his role in Nigeria's African Nations Cup win, was lively for Chelsea and darted round on the right before pulling a ball back for Lampard, who mis-kicked in a crowded area. A follow-up Oscar effort was blocked.
Cheeky: Oscar (right) shoots and scores his goal with a back flick against Brentford and celebrates (below)
Cheeky: Oscar (right) shoots and scores his goal with a back flick against Brentford and celebrates (below)

by eliudpro twitter Manchester City 4 Leeds 0: Aguero scores twice


Sergio Aguero struck twice as Manchester City kept their season alive by breezing into the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Leeds.
The Championship side were no match for the Barclays Premier League champions, who responded to last week's title setback with a dominant display at the Etihad Stadium.
Yaya Toure began the procession early on before Aguero added a penalty and a fine finish either side of a close-range Carlos Tevez effort.
At the double: Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City cruised into the sixth round
At the double: Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City cruised into the sixth round
Three and easy: Carlos Tevez (left) celebrates with Sergio Aguero and David Silva after scoring Manchester City's third goal against Leeds United (below)
Three and easy: Carlos Tevez (left) celebrates with Sergio Aguero and David Silva after scoring Manchester City's third goal against Leeds United (below)
Carlos Tevez scores Man City's third goal

It was just the fillip manager Roberto Mancini needed, with City 12 points behind Manchester United in the title race and amid fresh speculation over his position.
Leeds offered little and their fans' disillusionment with their manager Neil Warnock and their predicament, as they struggle to launch a play-off push, was evident.
Mancini's men gave them little room for manoeuvre. Angered by last week's dismal and costly loss at Southampton, the Italian kept his word and made changes.
The Italian made six in all, although the absences of goalkeeper Joe Hart and midfielder Gareth Barry had nothing to do with their high-profile errors at St Mary's.
Hart was rested in keeping with previous cup ties, allowing deputy Costel Pantilimon an opportunity, while Barry had a knock.
Kolo Toure and Matija Nastasic returned at the heart of defence and Aleksandar Kolarov featured at left-back but Leeds were unable to test them for the large part.
England midfielder James Milner came in to face the hometown club that launched his career while Tevez was restored in attack alongside Aguero.
Celebration: Sergio Aguero (left) and David Silva mark the second goal
Celebration: Sergio Aguero (left) and David Silva mark the second goal

Yorum Gönder

0 Yorumlar