Who needs the FA Cup when the League Cup is giving us so much drama? A total of ten goals left us with four teams who will fight it out over two matches – home and away – to win the first ‘real’ trophy of the season at Wembley. If we’ve learnt anything from this stage of the competition it’s that we as football fans should always expect the unexpected.
Arsenal 2-0 Wigan Athletic
The biggest surprise of this match was that Arsenal weren’t 4–0 up by half-time, with a couple of culprits at fault. Robin van Persie started as captain and he seemed to relish the responsibility by running the midfield and creating chances for others. Carlos Vela resembled Bambi-On-Ice as he missed a handful of chances, while Nicklas Bendtner did little to improve his chances of a starting place in the Premier League before his goal on 67 minutes. Arsene Wenger continues to look at him in a similar manner to that of a disappointed father.
Although they had their fair share of possession Wigan were never really at the races with only one shot on target - that’s not to say they were awful though. Before his unfortunate shoulder injury Victor Moses reminded us why he was once the name on everyone’s lips and he still seems one to watch. There is clearly talent in this Wigan team and if they manage to find the right balance between experience and youth while holding on to their star names this won’t be their last cup run. The biggest worry for Roberto Martinez will be the shaky defensive performance of Antolin Alcaraz, who left a lot to be desired in terms of composure.
Star Man: Kieran Gibbs – Quick, intelligent and not scared of hard graft.
Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa
This Second City derby started with fire in its belly and continued that way for the whole 90 + 5 + 1.5 minutes. Birmingham may have only broken their long losing streak against Villa earlier this season but they have only lost four of 19 this season, a fact that showed with their play-to-the-whistle attitude. Cameron Jerome looked lively from the outset and his partnership with Nikola Zigic always looked as if it would pay dividends. Gabby Agbonlahor was in for the disgruntled John Carew, while new signing Robert Pires started on the bench.
The first blood went to Birmingham when habitual offender Richad Dunne committed a sloppy foul on Lee Bowyer to concede a penalty, which Seb Larsson scored after Brad Friedel went the wrong way. The home team then had a goal disallowed as the linesman judged Liam Ridgewell to be active and interfering with play as he chilled out near the far post.
Agbonlahor continued his habit of scoring against his neighbours with a goal that took a slight deflection off Bowyer. Villa started the second half well but they couldn’t turn it into a goal, as Ben Foster made saves from Ciaran Clark, Stephen Ireland and Ashley Young in quick succession. The tie was won as Jerome made another impressive run to tee up Zigic who looped a ball into the roof of the net.
Star Man: Cameron Jerome – Ran his socks of and showed the form that has won him his place back in the side.
Ipswich Town 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
The Ipswich PA announced, “We’re going to Wembley” before the start of the match and maybe I should call him for some betting tips as he clearly knew something the rest of us didn’t. West Brom made their priorities clear with nine changes to the team that beat Everton so comprehensively. Although it was understandable to see said line-up as they had got the Midlands team this far, they also had 18-year old defender James Hurst making his senior debut. Before the one that gave them the goal, the home team should have been awarded a spot kick as Boaz Myhill clearly fouled Tamas Priskin in the box - if it isn’t then surely the referee must book the Ipswich man?
The one they did win was less clear-cut as Graham Dorrans appeared to bring down Carlos Edwards on the edge of the box. Grant Leadbitter took it and although Myhill dived the right way he couldn’t get a hand to it. Although Albion had some good play with chances dropping to Simon Cox and Giles Barnes making his surging runs they just couldn’t make it count. Ipswich looked the more enthusiastic of the two and if Priskin had linked better with loanee Jason Scotland, it could have been more than a one-goal deficit.
Star Man: Tamas Priskin – Never stopped working for his team.
West Ham 4-0 Manchester United
Manchester United made ten changes from the weekend’s team and it was instantly clear the chosen ones weren’t as up for it as the bottom of the table Upton Park boys. Alex Ferguson’s face was as red as his fetching beenie hat as he watched the relegation candidates play his cup holders off the pitch.
Former Man Utd player Jonathan Spector took the place of Scott Parker in the middle of the pitch and clearly had a score to settle as he took the game to United. Victor Obinna – who was impressive throughout – scored an early goal that was disallowed for Spector’s position in Tomasz Kuszczak’s eye line. West Ham got the goal they deserved on 22 minutes with a Spector header from an Obinna cross. A Fabio slip allowed Spector in just fifteen minutes later to give the home team and boss Avram Grant a 2–0 lead at half-time.
Manchester United had more shots on target and two-thirds of possession but you got the feeling they were never going to score and when the forever young Ryan Giggs fluffed a pass you knew it was going to be one of those days. Javier Hernandez was gifted the ball when Robert Gren’s goal kick bounced of the back of Federico Macheda, but it was clear he wasn’t expecting it and Green collected it at his feet. Ten minutes after the restart Carlton Cole scored a header and Ferguson will question Jonny Evans’ positioning and actions as he appeared to be trying to push the tall striker - never a good move in the penalty box, I’m sure you will agree.
Evans was also at fault for Cole’s second as he allowed the England man to receive a pass with his back to goal, turn and fire one into the bottom right corner. It’s the first time he has achieved a brace in eight years.
Star Man: Victor Obinna: In’na everything, as my Nan would say!
Draw for the Semi’s:
Ipswich v Arsenal / Birmingham v West Ham
Matches to be place around 10th and 24th Jan 2011.
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Tags: Carling Cup