3 Talking Points From FA Cup Clashes: Arsenal To Host Everton, Repeat Of Last Year’s Final

FA Cup action wrap up

There were some fascinating fifth round ties in England’s most famous Cup competition, the FA Cup, with Premier League and Championship clubs setting up encounters in their amazing run in the quarter finals. Manchester City knocked Chelsea off with a dominating 2-0 at the Etihad while  Arsenal ensured they put to bed the 5-1 humiliation at Anfield by knocking the Reds from Merseyside, Liverpool out by a 2-1 margin in what was a cracking FA Cup tie. Wigan Athletic, now in the Championship and the holders of the competition set up a repeat of last year’s final against Manchester City when they outclassed Premier League side Cardiff City by a 2-1 margin. While there were a lot to look at here is the action wrap up and the three talking points from the FA Cup clashes.

1. Arsenal to host Everton

The Gunners will now face the Blues from Merseyside, Everton in the quarter finals after edging out Liverpool 2-1 at the Emirates. It was Oxlade- Chamberlain who scored one and assisted another for the gunners. Liverpool fought back with a goal from Steven Gerrard  but the home side held on and claimed a sweet revenge of the devastating humiliation at Anfield. Elsewhere, Everton defeated a lacklustre Swansea side by a 3-1 margin earlier on Sunday. New on loan Lacina Traore opened the scoring before Swansea levelled before the break. However it was home side who took advantage from Neil Taylor’s suicidal ball back to Steven Naismith, who sweetly poked it in for the Toffees to lead in the tie. Leighton Baines then made the victory emphatic from the spot and Roberto Martinez’s side now travel to the Emirates to face the Gunners in the quarter finals. If the earlier game at the Emirates in the Premier League gives any indication, it will be a fascinating clash to watch, as I feel Arsenal will probably have the upper edge playing at home.

2. Repeat of last year’s final

It was a further landslide trouble for Cardiff City and their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjasker as Wigan Athletic kept alive their dream of successfully defending the FA Cup. First-half goals from Chris McCann and last year’s Cup final hero Ben Watson provided the visitors with a safe passage into the last eight. The Latics now face a daunting task as they travel to the intimidating Etihad Stadium to take on last year’s beaten finalists Manchester city. Manchester City played Chelsea off the park as goals from Simon Jovetic and Samir Nasri ensured Chelsea would be shown the door and Mourinho would bite back his own words and be handed the ignominy of disdain on Saturday night. Of course it will be the Citizens who are favourites to win the clash in the quarters, making sure that history doesn’t repeat itself. However we will see if lightning does strike twice or not?

3. Sheffield Derby

Sheffield Derby in store and revenge for Nigel Clough: Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough gained revenge over Nottingham Forest as his giant killing side did it again to set up a potential FA Cup quarter-final Steel City derby. Chris Porter completed a dramatic turnaround for Clough’s side after it appeared that Forest would be on their way thanks to Jamie Paterson’s strike in the 28^th minute. While Conor Coady, on loan from Liverpool got the equaliser, it was Porter who completed the 3-1 win with a dramatic brace in the dying stages of the encounter. The clash also saw Sheffield biggest attendance of the season by around 6,000 and the atmosphere replicated the past rivalries between two famous old clubs. This nicely sets up a Sheffield derby when the two sides from the town lock horns in the quarter finals, a clash which anyone can boast to win.