The FA Cup Draw
Chelsea managed to beat Coventry at the Ricoh Arena 2-0 with Didier Drogba opening the scoring after 15 minutes then Alex added to the scoreline after 72 minutes by capping off a simply mesmerizing, albeit controversial move. Chelsea have been looking much stronger since owner Roman Abramovich installed Russia coach Guus Hiddink as manager until the end of the season. With a trip to Italy to face Juventus on Tuesday, Chelsea will be glad that influential midfielder Michael Essien managed to play a part in this match after returning from a 6 month lay off from a knee injury.
Arsenal meanwhile took on Burnley in the 5th round at the Emirates Stadium, and won by a comfortable margin of 3-0, with goals from Vela, Eduardo and Eboue. Next up for the Gunners is a quarter final match against Hull City whereby the winner will have the daunting task of taking on Chelsea at Wembley. Arsenal will have to be focussed for their next match which includes a trip to Italy in order to take on AS Roma with a 1-0 advantage, Daniele De Rossi and David Pizarro are both doubts for the game against Arsenal which could see Arsenal through to the next round.
Manchester United managed to regain the goalden touch by thumping Fulham 4-0 with 2 goals from “reserve” striker Carlos Tevez, and 1 each from Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park. The Red Devils’ quest for 6 trophies is still alive after this victory, although with Inter Milan on Wednesday and then Liverpool on Saturday, both fixtures at Old Trafford, the story could be much different by Sunday evening with Inter having the possibility of knocking United out of the Champions League and if Liverpool manage a win or a draw at Old Trafford it could see Chelsea reduce the gap to 7 or 8 points.
Everton kept their FA Cup hopes alive by beating Middlesbrough 2-1 at Goodison Park. Wheater opened the scoring for Middlesbrough just before half time. But Everton hit back just after half time with Fellaini grabbing the equaliser before ex-Manchester United striker Louis Saha scored the winner for the Toffees in the 56th minute.
Prediction 1- Arsenal to go through to the semi final. Although Hull will give them a run for their money I ca only see Arsenal getting through although you never know, one ex-United striker knocked out Boro, maybe an on loan striker from United could knock out United.
Prediction 2- Chelsea for the final. The revival since Hiddink has joined has been brilliant news for Chelsea fans and even if Arsenal, the stronger of the last 2 quarter finalists yet to book their place in the semi final I’m confident of a Chelsea victory and their progress.
Prediction 3- Manchester United to win. Although Everton will be confident of showing what they are capable of, especially after only just losing to United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the league at the end of January and that United’s defence is looking more and more uneasy and perhaps all it needs is for a stronger team, when attacking to take advantage of those errors that have been cropping up. Could be an Everton fixture but Sir Alex Ferguson loves this trophy and I’m sure we’ll see a very strong and confident team going to Wembley.
