FA Cup Quarter-Final Results
Victories for Portsmouth Barnsley Cardiff and West Bromwich Albion
In a weekend of surprise results, only one premiership side remains in the FA Cup following defeats for Chelsea, Manchester United and Middlesborough.
The Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup played over the weekend of March 8th and 9th produced some unexpected results.
Barnsley 1 – 0 Chelsea
Championship side Barnsley defeated FA Cup holders Chelsea 1-0 in one of the biggest cup upsets of recent years.
The hero was centre-forward Kayode Odejayi’s. His headed goal in the 66th minute, following a cross by Martin Devaney, sent the majority of the 22,410 Oakwell crowd into dreamland.
It was a deserved victory for the underdogs, who played with a passion, skill and intensity, which their more illustrious opponents had difficulty in containing.
Chelsea pressed forward in a frantic finale with captain John Terry firing over the bar from six yards in a vain attempt to force a replay.
Barnsley hung on for a famous victory to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 1912.
Manchester United 0 – 1 Portsmouth
Old Trafford was the venue for the only all premiership tie of the round. Manchester United were firm favourites to progress but a 78th minute Sulley Muntari penalty gave Portsmouth a hard fought 1-0 win.
United keeper Tomasz Kuszcask, a second half substitute for the injured Edwin Van der Sar, brought down Milan Baros and was shown a red card for the infringement. With no keeper now on the bench, centre half Rio Ferdinand went between the posts, but was comfortably beaten by Muntari’s low dive.
Portsmouth defended resolutely throughout with keeper David James, and back four Glen Johnson, Sylvan Distin, Sol Campbell and Heidar Hreidarsson, outstanding throughout the ninety minutes.
As the only remaining premiership side, Portsmouth are now favourites for the competition.
Middlesbrough 0 – 2 Cardiff
Championship Cardiff produced a quality display at the Riverside stadium to comfortably see off a very disappointing Middlesbrough side 2-0.
They took the lead on 9 minutes with an excellent strike from Peter Whittingham, curling the ball into the top left corner from just inside the penalty area.
The lead was doubled on 23 minutes when Whittingham turned provider with a free kick to the far post, which saw Roger Johnson dive full length to head past Middlesbrough keeper, Mark Schwarzer.
Cardiff continued to dominate their premiership opponents in the second half to cement their place in the semi final draw.
Bristol Rovers 1 – 5 West Bromwich Albion
The final tie of the round saw League one Bristol Rovers defeated 5-1 by championship side West Bromwich Albion.
Rovers started brightly but fell behind to a goal from James Morrison, who followed up after Rovers keeper Steve Phillips parried a Ronan Bednar’s shot into his path.
Ishmael Miller made it 2-0 with a stunning drive from the edge of the box but Rovers quickly responded when Danny Coles side footed home following a flick on from a corner.
Albion dominated the second period with Miller scoring twice to complete his hat trick and substitute Kevin Phillips adding a fifth.
Semi-Final Draw
Barnsley v Cardiff City
West Bromwich Albion v Portsmouth
Matches will be played over the weekend of April 5/6.
