FA Cup 2012 -2013

[caller]

I do wonder how much is Abramovich and how much the MD?

RA doesn't talk to the press - period. Nor, if anyone notices, do the players when it comes to criticism, well apart from Maoluda and God only knows what thats about?

I don't like the constant criticism from the terraces of Benitez as I have said before, but I'm certainly not impressec by him and its intriguing with his record, why he hasn't been offered other work, apart from his (alleged) reported comment of only working for a top 6 club?

He definitely steadied the ship when he arrived, but now seems fairly bereft of (good) ideas.

There was a time not long ago when I relished Chelsea at Old Trafford, but I'm not looking forward to this one, but time will tell.

[Arcadian]

The fans` constant anti-Rafa chanting and banner waving won`t help the club achieve the league position they think their (sorry, Roman`s) money deserves. Keep it up Chesea fans!!
By the way has anyone else noticed the similarity between Abramovitch and Stan Laurel?

[caller]

Well, as ever, Rafa has reshuffled his pack. I hope he proves me wrong, but so many changes from game to game doesn't help and its still a mystery as to how he sees Luiz and Cahill as our best pairing at the back?

[richard]

All looking good to me

England beat Italy
Liverpool and Spurs drawing
Chelski taking a beating from Manu

[JimmyGreaves]

Well, as ever, Rafa has reshuffled his pack. I hope he proves me wrong, but so many changes from game to game doesn't help and its still a mystery as to how he sees Luiz and Cahill as our best pairing at the back?

Reasoning is they don't want a pile up of fixtures pushing for the 2nd spot in the PL and the FA Cup is old hat for chelski!

[caller]

Well, for a while we looked like the Chelsea of old and should have won the game.

Now, when Lee Dixon, Roy Keane, Gareth Southgate, 10000's of Chelsea fans and every other pro in the Country say's why the **** isn't Terry out there, as the centre backs are a mess, then you know something is wrong!

Personally, if I woke up in the morning to learn that Benitez has been sacked, I'd breath a huge sigh of relief. Its evident he stumbles on a result by accident rather than planning. He is an incompetent muppet that is so far out of depth, its embarrassing! Shooting wouldn't be good enough.

So instead, I wake up to ponder why a team with next to no firepower, that actually paid money for Victor Moses, that has a manager who leaves the best keeper in the premiership, if not europe and beyond, so exposed, that we saw the result with the 1st goal, whose selections cost the 2nd goal, before finally rescuing it, more through luck than judgement, when getting it right from the outset is so much easier, is in charge of my rightly proud club - 108 years old today (10th)?

Happy Birthday Chelsea!

[Zidane]

Chelsea should have won it,caller.....only two saves by De Gea from Hazard and Mata in the closing minutes denied them a deserved victory.
Who would have thought us United fans would have been grateful for a draw after the first 11 minutes !
United were woeful in the second half and could hardly string a couple of passes together.Once Hazard scored a beauty to pull it back to 2-1 there was only going to be one likely winner.
But you know where I think the game changed ? At 2-0 and United coasting,Cech made a brilliant reflex save from his own defender,Luiz.
At 3-0 it would surely have been game over but Chelsea gained belief and started to dominate from that point.
But why on earth didnt Benitez start with Hazard ? His bizarre team selection may be Uniteds best chance of victory in the replay.

[JimmyGreaves]

Good result lets hope that the Chelski v Spurs fixture is moved to the Wednesday night and Chelski v Man City game is played on the Sunday as scheduled :-)

Fabulous goal by Ba. Great save by Cech

[Zidane]

An excellent game for the neutral to watch,I reckon....
It could have gone either way but an excellent opportunist goal by Ba and a brilliant save by Cech at point blank range from Nani was the difference between the two sides.
I was out of my seat shouting "goal" when Nani headed goalwards.....I'm sure I wasnt alone..... but what a save by Cech !

Sooo the Chelsea treble.....winning the FA Cup,Europa League and finishing 6th in the Premiership.....is still on,caller !

[GLCQuantum]

... and here is the reason I'm quite glad that that muppet Ferdinand decided not to be a part of the England squad anymore (See pic below). Not sure why the hell he was recalled tbh. How often do you see the below picture of 'ol 'holier than thou' Ferdi trying to play catch up with a striker (please note the words 'trying to'.) If he put more effort into his game and less into trying to look nice for the camera's whilst putting on an 'ard face... he might still have something to offer the team.



Cracking finish anyhow and always nice to see a sour taste put into United's mouth. What a horrible anti climax it is for them now. They had already won the league and were just waiting for the trophy... now that's the only thing - season over and done with a few weeks before many others in the league.

Congratulations on your twentieth anyway

[caller]

Good result lets hope that the Chelski v Spurs fixture is moved to the Wednesday night and Chelski v Man City game is played on the Sunday as scheduled :-)

That's exactly what will happen, the Chelsea website has said as much all along, with an 'if' proviso.

I thought it was a very low key match with a very subdued ManU performance, although that didn't worry me too much!

I think we deserved it without playing particularly well and had most chances. It was a really well worked goal and Hazard could have wrapped it up. Cech made two great saves. I bet he was as pleased with the 1st one when the ball dipped and swerved all over the place, before he cleared with his foot, as well as the one that will be oft-repeated on TV. He's a great goalkeeper and having just turned 30 should be entering his prime!

The game against Southampton still rankles, but hopefully this will give the team a lift? We play in europe on Thursday and then face the Mackems on Sunday at the Bridge. I'm going to that game and its an important one for me, I hope we do well aganst Di Canio's new team!

[Zidane]

Congratulations on your twentieth anyway

Thanks for your enthusiastic congratulations !
Compared to the sides they have had in the past 20 years this United side is pretty average,but they are 15 points clear so what does that say about the rest ?
Citehs overpaid prima donnas gone off the boil,Chelsea and Arsenal can be good but are woefully inconsistent.
Spuds have improved but any side that still plays Adebayor cannot have serious title aspirations.Lucky you have Bale as his ability keeps you amongst the chasing pack.

[BaaBaa.]

20th title only recently become relevant because of a certain other club.

What is it with Fergie, seriously, this United side is bang average on paper yet they win at a canter. I'm stocking up for when he retires, please let it be Moyes.

Spurs could be serious if things go well in summer.

[PeteC]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -wigan-win

Hooligans battle after Wigan win

Published: 14 Apr 2013 at 01.49
Online news:

LONDON - Wigan Athletic defeated second-tier Millwall 2-0 to reach the FA Cup final for the first time in their history on Saturday, but the match was marred by fighting between fans of the beaten side.

After Callum McManaman doubled Wigan's lead 12 minutes from time at a rain-soaked Wembley Stadium, violence broken out in the Millwall seating area behind one of the goals.

Supporters traded punches as police wielding batons attempted to restore order, while some young supporters were left in tears.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said the scenes were "disappointing", but his Millwall counterpart, Kenny Jackett, said he was not in a position to comment.

"I didn't see or wasn't aware of any fighting during the game. I was concentrating on the game and I wasn't aware of any problems," he said.

"I'd need to examine the facts, see it, and talk to people, before I can give an opinion on it."

A Millwall spokesman said the club would investigate the matter.

The violence took some of the shine off Wigan's victory, sparked by a composed volley from Scottish midfielder Shaun Maloney mid-way through the first half.

Wigan now await the winners of Sunday's other semi-final between Manchester City and holders Chelsea, as they look forward to a second major domestic final after a one-sided loss to Manchester United in the 2006 League Cup.

Martinez unexpectedly handed goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi a first start since March 2, but it was his opposite number, David Forde, who was the focus of activity in the first half.

His first involvement saw him race out to save at the feet of Arouna Kone, before springing to his right to repel a crisp drive from McManaman with a two-handed parry.

There was a sense of inevitability about the breakthrough, which arrived in the 25th minute.

Kone was the architect, brilliantly chesting down a high ball and spinning away from a clutch of defenders before crossing for the unmarked Maloney to steer an assured volley beneath Forde.

Forde had to collect an acrobatic volley from Paul Scharner and although Millwall briefly threatened to come back into the game, the half ended with Wigan on the front foot once again.

McManaman lofted a shot over the bar from the edge of the box after another probing incursion from Kone, while Jordi Gomez tested Forde with a first-time shot from 18 yards.

Wigan were playing with the same poise that had seen them stun Everton 3-0 in the quarter-finals and despite Millwall packing their midfield, Maloney, McManaman and Kone were finding plenty of space.

McManaman was at it again early in the second half, worming his way to the byline on the left and then leaving two defenders on the turf as he cut inside, only to curl his shot over the bar.

Belatedly, Millwall came to life, and after James Henry swept a free-kick just over the bar, Scharner had to produce a crucial block to thwart Andy Keogh.

Moments later, Wigan were given a huge fright when Mark Beevers' downward header hit Scharner and fortuitously bounced over the crossbar.

Jackett sought to capitalise on the momentum by introducing striker Rob Hulse.

Keogh thought he should have had a penalty when his cross struck Scharner's arm, but referee Michael Oliver, who had a good view of the incident, was unmoved.

McManaman continued to provide a threat whenever he picked up the ball wide on the Wigan left, however, and in the 78th minute he put the result beyond doubt, darting onto Gomez's through pass before rounding Forde and sliding the ball home.

"It is a great feeling, but it is one of relief, particularly with the way the second half went. It will sink in during the next few weeks," Maloney told BBC radio.

For all their exploits in the cup, Wigan remain in the Premier League's relegation zone, and Maloney added: "We have a big next month coming up in the Premier League now."

[Zidane]

Chelsea v Citeh,I'm sure all will agree was a cracking game.It had everything....end to end stuff,fierce tackles,decent goals and,not forgetting,controversy.
The game passed so quickly.....always a sign of a good match.
All credit to Chelsea for their stirring comeback.When Aguero made it 2-0 I thought it was game over.
But another excellent goal by Ba set up a frenzied finish and Chelsea finished the stronger side which surprised me.
Chelsea should have had a blatant penalty when Zorro was hauled back,unceremoniously,in the area by Kompany but referee Chris Foy failed to spot it.Nor did he see the two footed lunge by Aguero on Luiz as they clashed for the ball.Fair play to Luiz as he just got on with the game whereas if it had happened to someone like Nani he would probably have had to have been airlifted from the ground by airambulance !
A shame there was controversy in such a fine match which would have graced the final.Those two incidents should have cost City a penalty and possibly at least one red card.....a pity a duffer like Foy was in charge !