Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
Andy Pakes previews this Sunday afternoon clash in the first edition of Game of the Week for 2012
Dave Hughes tells us about his sporting hero, Wes Morgan
However, Leyton Orient pulled off the only major shock, with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal. With only a minute left of normal time, renowned super-sub Jonathan Téhoué got past two defenders and slotted home to complete a dazzling goal.
Up until that point Arsenal had looked under no threat, passing Orient off the pitch and remaining comfortable at the back. But they were made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, failing to extend their lead further and ultimately conceding Téhoué’s equaliser.
Although fielding mostly second-choice players, Arsenal’s team still included the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Alex Song and Marouane Chamakh, so nothing should be taken away from the League One outfit. They will now enjoy a lucrative replay at the Emirates next week.
Awaiting the victors of that game in the quarter finals is Man United, after they completed an edgy victory against non-league Crawley Town. The most anticipated match of the round did not disappoint, with Crawley staying in the game up until the end. Wes Brown’s first-half goal turned out to be the winner, but only just as the conference side had some very near misses, most notably when Richard Brodie’s late headed effort came back off the bar.
One giant did fall at the weekend in the form of Chelsea, who lost on penalties to Everton in one of weekend’s two 4th round replays. Everton’s much lauded full-backs were the heroes, with Leighton Baines scoring a trademark free-kick to equalise during extra time, and Phil Neville converting the winning penalty. The result is another nail in the coffin of Chelsea’s season, who have now realistically only Champions League victory to compete for.
In the other 4th round replay, two goals from veteran Patick Viera helped Man City complete a flattering 5-0 victory over Notts County. The Magpies had restricted the lead to just two until a Tevez inspired late flurry saw City put another three past Stuart Nelson.
Another team to score five was West Ham, who ran riot in the second half of their tie home to Burnley. Once again West Ham’s cup form impressed, who despite languishing in the relegation zone of the premiership progressed to the semi finals of the Carling Cup and are now in the quarter finals of the F.A. Cup.
There were comfortable victories too for Birmingham over Sheffield Wednesday, thanks largely to new signings Jean Beausejour and Obafemi Martins, and Stoke, whose 3-0 defeat of Brighton was typically made up of three headed goals. Bolton meanwhile continued their impressive season with an away win over Fulham, who in spite of the return of star striker Bobby Zamora failed to find a response to Ivan Klasnić 19th minute goal.
FA Cup quarter-final ties (to be played 12th/13th March):
Birmingham - Bolton
Man Utd - Leyton Orient/Arsenal
Stoke - West Ham
Man City/Aston Villa - Everton/Reading
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