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The FA Cup Third Round Winners And Losers
Shocks were in short supply. Sadly, they have been for at least ten years...
Winners
Arsenal
With the benefit of hindsight, Cesc Fabregas' suspension was a blessing in disguise, forcing Arsene Wenger into welcome pragmatism. Alongside the equally-indefatigable Gilberto Silva, the incoming Mathieu Flamini formed an unbreachable midfield wall and forced Steven Gerrard to the periphery.
Gerrard's claim that Liverpool "controlled the first 35 minutes" was delusional. Due to the efforts of Flamini and Silva, the Gunners were comfortable, ceding barely an opening to their unimaginative opponents whilst building the platform from which Tomas Rosicky was able to burst forward with devastating effect.
The only disappointment in Arsenal's terrific victory was Emmanuel Eboue. Too often this season the full-back has succumbed to petulance and gamesmanship and his 67th-minute substitution at Anfield was a relief. Having just returned following an ankle strain, the Ivorian may have suffered a repeat injury, although the speed of his exit would suggest that an exasperated Arsene Wenger, who publicly denounced Eboue's dive during the Champions League final, had already decided to haul off the liability.
Eboue has regressed since May and, having become the first Englishman to scored for Arsenal since September 2005 on Tuesday night, Justin Hoyte's demotion to accommodate the returning 21-year-old was harsh. With Lauren returning in Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final, Eboue's spell of repentance may be lengthy.
Blackburn Rovers
Other than Arsenal's elimination of the holders in a stadium in which Liverpool were unbeaten for their previous 29 matches, the performance of the weekend was Blackburn reserves' stunning 4-1 victory at Everton.
The stylish David Bentley was instrumental, justifying speculation of a transfer to ManYoo. Which probably isn't what Arsene Wenger had in mind when he allowed the frustrated Bentley to leave Highbury "to advance his career".
The Liverpool Supporters
The memorable consolation for the Liverpool fans on an otherwise dispiriting evening was their own performance and display of solidarity against the BBC's employment of Kelvin McKenzie, paid for by the tax known as the licence fee.
"They were marvellous throughout," commented Wenger in his press conference before concluding that "Liverpool have" either "great support" or "the greatest support" depending on which Sunday newspaper you bought.
ManYoo
Henrik Larsson's debut goal against his former manager was the definition of inevitable.
Patrice Evra
Along with Gilberto Silva, Evra is arguably the most improved Premiership player this season.
Thomas Butler
The Swansea winger had only scored four times before his brace at Sheffield United. Hence the startled celebrations.
Losers
Charlton Athletic
The non-shock 'shock result' of the weekend was Charlton's defeat at Nottingham Forest. The surprise was that anybody was surprised by the Addicks' spineless exit to a youthful side third in League One.
The undue fanfare that greeted Forest's straightforward victory over a side content to exit the tournament can partly be explained by acknowledging that the FA Cup has ceased to be a tale of the unexpected.
For all the hype, the bottom line is that ten years have passed since a member of the Big Four failed to win the Cup. Such dominance has steadily eroded the glamour of the competition and caused Pompey's victory over Wigan to be watched by their lowest crowd of the season. Realistically pessimistic about their cup prospects, fans have followed managers in accepting the prioritisation of league position and regarding the cup as little more than an inconvenience to be squeezed onto a congested fixture list.
"Cup-final day used to be the biggest day of the year and the whole country used to come to a standstill," complained Harry Redknapp on Saturday without recognising that the apparent inevitability of a Big Four victory has detracted from the cup final's appeal and its supposed 'romance'.
Today's competition bares no resemblance to its hype or the era when a young Harry Redknapp would settle down with the rest of the neighbourhood to watch the May showcase. Decade by decade, the cup has gradually become a closed shop. Since 1995, Arsenal, ManYoo, Chelski or Liverpool have won every cup final. Six teams were successful between 1986 and 1995 after seven the previous decade and the maximum ten between 1966 and 1975.
Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez was unique on two counts on Saturday: the only person to believe that Jerzy Dudek's performance couldn't be faulted and the only person who understood why he was selected ahead of Jose Reina. Even Rafa's reasoning that "Jerzy didn't really have a lot to do besides the goals" was inadvertently damning.
To varying degrees, Dudek failed to impress with each of the Gunners' three goals. It's reasonable to suppose that Reina may have prevented at least one. Arsene Wenger also rested his first-choice goalkeeper but the Arsenal manager was vindicated by victory and the assured display of Manuel Almunia.
John Arne Riise remains fortunate to retain his place ahead of Fabio Aurelio, while, because of the lack of width he offers compared to Mark Gonzalez, it makes no sense that Luis Garcia is selected in the same team as Peter Crouch. In truth, Liverpool are a very unappealing side when Crouch plays and lack the wit, skill and imagination to trouble a top-class side. Dirk Kuyt's close-range header from Jermaine Pennant's corner was Pool's first goal in their four meetings with fellow Big Four members this term. With Craig Bellamy spending the final hour running through his repertoire of stretching exercises rather than stretching the Arsenal defence, the Gunners were able to win without Almunia making a notable save.
Andriy Shevchenko
Even against the side second-bottom of the Football League, Shevchenko's woes continued.
Clean through on goal at the beginning of the second half, the Ukrainian was already stumbling to the ground before his knee crashed into Macclesfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee. Were the boot on the other foot, or on a Chelski head, Jose would have cried attempted murder.
Intent on a hat-trick, Lampard refused to let Shevchenko take the penalty. And there was no sympathy from Jose either: "For a striker to be in a side that wins 6-1 and not score..."
Nicklas Bendtner
One of the least acknowledged arguments in favour of introducing a winter break is that it would give the nation's floundering football pitches urgently-required recovery time.
Regardless of the weather, the tie between Birmingham and Newcastle should have been postponed on account of the surface apparently recently hosting a Battle of the Somme re-enactment. With more potholes than grass, it was certainly dangerous. Arsenal loanee Bendtner literally fell foul of the surface, breaking his ankle after, according to Steve Bruce, "falling down a bloody hole in the f*cking pitch". Even if the revelation that the youngster was injured falling down a hole didn't deserve a repeat airing, the outburst carried double weight as Bruce's Brum were the home side.
The terrible state of the surface may also have been a factor in why only 12,000 Brum supporters turned up. The quality of football outside of the top flight is poor at the best of times and even worse when it is played on a divot-distorted mud patch.
Plans for the St Andrews' pitch to be relaid were terminated last month by
a packed fixture list and frost. As a direct consequence, Bendtner is unlikely to return this season and may have lost any hope of being appointed Arsenal's fourth-choice striker next term.
Alan Curbishley
Of more interest than West Ham's routine win over Brighton was Alan Curbishley's extraordinary post-match press conference. Refusing to answer any questions during his two-minute appearance, Curbishley instead rejected criticism of Nigel Reo-Coker and then raged at newspaper "spin" over his apparent criticism of the Hammers' summer signings.
The support of Reo-Coker was peculiar given that Curbishley omitted him on Saturday, stoking reports that the midfielder is to be sold. And the 'Curbishley slams Pardew signings' headlines were inevitable after he told the BBC: "The people who have come in have not put pressure on those in the team - that's not how it should be."
In March, Curbishley's hysterical reaction to the Sunday tabloids publishing pictures of his interview for the England job indicated that he lacked the necessary resilience to replace Sven. His reaction on Saturday proved as much, confirming that Curbishley is too sensitive to survive the relentless scrutiny that is part and parcel of a top management job.
Pete Gill
Shocks were in short supply. Sadly, they have been for at least ten years...
Winners
Arsenal
With the benefit of hindsight, Cesc Fabregas' suspension was a blessing in disguise, forcing Arsene Wenger into welcome pragmatism. Alongside the equally-indefatigable Gilberto Silva, the incoming Mathieu Flamini formed an unbreachable midfield wall and forced Steven Gerrard to the periphery.
Gerrard's claim that Liverpool "controlled the first 35 minutes" was delusional. Due to the efforts of Flamini and Silva, the Gunners were comfortable, ceding barely an opening to their unimaginative opponents whilst building the platform from which Tomas Rosicky was able to burst forward with devastating effect.
The only disappointment in Arsenal's terrific victory was Emmanuel Eboue. Too often this season the full-back has succumbed to petulance and gamesmanship and his 67th-minute substitution at Anfield was a relief. Having just returned following an ankle strain, the Ivorian may have suffered a repeat injury, although the speed of his exit would suggest that an exasperated Arsene Wenger, who publicly denounced Eboue's dive during the Champions League final, had already decided to haul off the liability.
Eboue has regressed since May and, having become the first Englishman to scored for Arsenal since September 2005 on Tuesday night, Justin Hoyte's demotion to accommodate the returning 21-year-old was harsh. With Lauren returning in Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final, Eboue's spell of repentance may be lengthy.
Blackburn Rovers
Other than Arsenal's elimination of the holders in a stadium in which Liverpool were unbeaten for their previous 29 matches, the performance of the weekend was Blackburn reserves' stunning 4-1 victory at Everton.
The stylish David Bentley was instrumental, justifying speculation of a transfer to ManYoo. Which probably isn't what Arsene Wenger had in mind when he allowed the frustrated Bentley to leave Highbury "to advance his career".
The Liverpool Supporters
The memorable consolation for the Liverpool fans on an otherwise dispiriting evening was their own performance and display of solidarity against the BBC's employment of Kelvin McKenzie, paid for by the tax known as the licence fee.
"They were marvellous throughout," commented Wenger in his press conference before concluding that "Liverpool have" either "great support" or "the greatest support" depending on which Sunday newspaper you bought.
ManYoo
Henrik Larsson's debut goal against his former manager was the definition of inevitable.
Patrice Evra
Along with Gilberto Silva, Evra is arguably the most improved Premiership player this season.
Thomas Butler
The Swansea winger had only scored four times before his brace at Sheffield United. Hence the startled celebrations.
Losers
Charlton Athletic
The non-shock 'shock result' of the weekend was Charlton's defeat at Nottingham Forest. The surprise was that anybody was surprised by the Addicks' spineless exit to a youthful side third in League One.
The undue fanfare that greeted Forest's straightforward victory over a side content to exit the tournament can partly be explained by acknowledging that the FA Cup has ceased to be a tale of the unexpected.
For all the hype, the bottom line is that ten years have passed since a member of the Big Four failed to win the Cup. Such dominance has steadily eroded the glamour of the competition and caused Pompey's victory over Wigan to be watched by their lowest crowd of the season. Realistically pessimistic about their cup prospects, fans have followed managers in accepting the prioritisation of league position and regarding the cup as little more than an inconvenience to be squeezed onto a congested fixture list.
"Cup-final day used to be the biggest day of the year and the whole country used to come to a standstill," complained Harry Redknapp on Saturday without recognising that the apparent inevitability of a Big Four victory has detracted from the cup final's appeal and its supposed 'romance'.
Today's competition bares no resemblance to its hype or the era when a young Harry Redknapp would settle down with the rest of the neighbourhood to watch the May showcase. Decade by decade, the cup has gradually become a closed shop. Since 1995, Arsenal, ManYoo, Chelski or Liverpool have won every cup final. Six teams were successful between 1986 and 1995 after seven the previous decade and the maximum ten between 1966 and 1975.
Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez was unique on two counts on Saturday: the only person to believe that Jerzy Dudek's performance couldn't be faulted and the only person who understood why he was selected ahead of Jose Reina. Even Rafa's reasoning that "Jerzy didn't really have a lot to do besides the goals" was inadvertently damning.
To varying degrees, Dudek failed to impress with each of the Gunners' three goals. It's reasonable to suppose that Reina may have prevented at least one. Arsene Wenger also rested his first-choice goalkeeper but the Arsenal manager was vindicated by victory and the assured display of Manuel Almunia.
John Arne Riise remains fortunate to retain his place ahead of Fabio Aurelio, while, because of the lack of width he offers compared to Mark Gonzalez, it makes no sense that Luis Garcia is selected in the same team as Peter Crouch. In truth, Liverpool are a very unappealing side when Crouch plays and lack the wit, skill and imagination to trouble a top-class side. Dirk Kuyt's close-range header from Jermaine Pennant's corner was Pool's first goal in their four meetings with fellow Big Four members this term. With Craig Bellamy spending the final hour running through his repertoire of stretching exercises rather than stretching the Arsenal defence, the Gunners were able to win without Almunia making a notable save.
Andriy Shevchenko
Even against the side second-bottom of the Football League, Shevchenko's woes continued.
Clean through on goal at the beginning of the second half, the Ukrainian was already stumbling to the ground before his knee crashed into Macclesfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee. Were the boot on the other foot, or on a Chelski head, Jose would have cried attempted murder.
Intent on a hat-trick, Lampard refused to let Shevchenko take the penalty. And there was no sympathy from Jose either: "For a striker to be in a side that wins 6-1 and not score..."
Nicklas Bendtner
One of the least acknowledged arguments in favour of introducing a winter break is that it would give the nation's floundering football pitches urgently-required recovery time.
Regardless of the weather, the tie between Birmingham and Newcastle should have been postponed on account of the surface apparently recently hosting a Battle of the Somme re-enactment. With more potholes than grass, it was certainly dangerous. Arsenal loanee Bendtner literally fell foul of the surface, breaking his ankle after, according to Steve Bruce, "falling down a bloody hole in the f*cking pitch". Even if the revelation that the youngster was injured falling down a hole didn't deserve a repeat airing, the outburst carried double weight as Bruce's Brum were the home side.
The terrible state of the surface may also have been a factor in why only 12,000 Brum supporters turned up. The quality of football outside of the top flight is poor at the best of times and even worse when it is played on a divot-distorted mud patch.
Plans for the St Andrews' pitch to be relaid were terminated last month by
a packed fixture list and frost. As a direct consequence, Bendtner is unlikely to return this season and may have lost any hope of being appointed Arsenal's fourth-choice striker next term.
Alan Curbishley
Of more interest than West Ham's routine win over Brighton was Alan Curbishley's extraordinary post-match press conference. Refusing to answer any questions during his two-minute appearance, Curbishley instead rejected criticism of Nigel Reo-Coker and then raged at newspaper "spin" over his apparent criticism of the Hammers' summer signings.
The support of Reo-Coker was peculiar given that Curbishley omitted him on Saturday, stoking reports that the midfielder is to be sold. And the 'Curbishley slams Pardew signings' headlines were inevitable after he told the BBC: "The people who have come in have not put pressure on those in the team - that's not how it should be."
In March, Curbishley's hysterical reaction to the Sunday tabloids publishing pictures of his interview for the England job indicated that he lacked the necessary resilience to replace Sven. His reaction on Saturday proved as much, confirming that Curbishley is too sensitive to survive the relentless scrutiny that is part and parcel of a top management job.
Pete Gill
