Blackpool’s reward for a scintillating 3-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough is a trip to Everton in the FA Cup fifth round.

The game was effectively won in the opening 15 minutes as Matt Phillips continued his red-hot scoring streak with a precise finish and Lomana LuaLua curled in a superb effort soon after.

The Seasiders produced an outstanding attacking display and they made it three shortly after the break with another goal of sheer quality, Ludovic Sylvestre bending in from the edge of the area.

Blackpool v Sheffield Wednesday Highlights

In the night’s other match, substitute Liam Feeney superb stoppage-time goal stunned Southampton and sent sets up a home tie for Millwall against Bolton.

Millwall started the match strongly and broke the deadlock after 17 minutes when Liam Trotter struck home from close range. Adam Lallana pegged the visitors back with a superb solo goal and after the break Rickie Lambert fired Southampton into the lead.

For all of the home side’s attacking intent, goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski was being called into action regularly and was beaten by former Saints loanee Dany N’Guessan with 11 minutes remaining. The match looked to be heading for extra time until Feeney cut in from the left to curl in a stunning winner in stoppage time.

League One Stevenage have been drawn against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fifth round as a reward for reaching the last 16 for the first time.

Brighton will meet Liverpool at Anfield after beating Premier League Newcastle in the previous round. Chelsea host Birmingham, with League Two Crawley Town handed a tough home game against Stoke. Norwich take on Leicester, while Everton welcome Blackpool to Goodison Park. Bolton will fancy their chances of making the sixth round as they travel to Millwall.

There is only one all-Premier League clash with Sunderland drawn against Arsenal, who beat Aston Villa 3-2 in a thrilling clash at the Emirates.

Crawley Town beat Hull City 1-0 in round four on Saturday and their chief executive Alan Williams said:

“This is the first time we have faced Premier League opposition at the Broadfield Stadium in a competitive fixture and I’m sure the ground will be packed. It’s another wonderful occasion for the club, the players and the fans and we look forward to welcoming Tony Pulis and his side here next month.”

Brighton gave Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool a scare before losing 2-1 in the Carling Cup in September, and Liverpool fans have to be dreaming of another trip down Wembley Way this season.

FA Cup Fifth Round
Liverpool v Brighton – Liverpool v Brighton Tickets
Everton v Blackpool
Chelsea v Birmingham – - Chelsea v Birmingham City Tickets
Crawley Town v Stoke
Stevenage v Tottenham – Stevenage v Spurs Tickets
Norwich v Leicester
Sunderland v Arsenal
Millwall  v Bolton

The fifth-round games will be played on the weekend of 18-19 February.

Crashing out in the FA Cup against their bitter rival, Liverpool, obviously left a bitter taste for Manchester United especially since they were not actually outplayed in the match but lose out due to a defensive error.

The club’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was the one who voived out his disappointment and disbeliefs with the Red Devils’ failure in advancing from the competition especially since the tactician believes that his team played better than their opponent.

Speaking to the media after the match, Ferguson expressed his disappointment stating that he has no idea how his team could lose the game despite being able to dominate most part of the match especially in terms of possession. However, the veteran manager excepts the defeat as he believes that his players have give their all and played admirable despite the long injury crisis that the club’s having.

“We were the better team, but that’s FA Cup football I’m afraid. I don’t know how they lost it, Just one breakaway, one bad break against you, and you can lose the game. It’s a sudden-death situation and we’ve experienced it many times over the years, “Ferguson said to ITV1

Ferguson also moaned about Liverpool’s winning goal scored by Dirk Kuyt, as the manager believed that it was a very bad situation since it arrives from an counter attack which left Man United’s back line exposed. The Scottish tactician believed that his team doesn’t deserved to concede that second goal but hopes that the fans would give an appreciation towards United players as they’re just a little bit unlucky on the night.

“It was a bad goal [Kuyt's] because we didn’t deserve that. But I’m pleased with my players, they performed very well, dominated the game, didn’t deserve to be beaten at all in fact,” Ferguson added. “We had a tough match in the week so you’ve got to give the team credit for all the effort and commitment for the way we played today. “

This failure left Man United without much potential trophies left aside from giving their all in the premier league and also Europa League, a pretty useful situation for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team at the moment considering the injury problems their having. Without having much players available, the Red Devils would probably better off competing in lesser cups especially since chasing Manchester City in the league looks really tough this season.

photo credit: jjlennon

Chelsea’s succes in overcoming Queens Park Rangers on Saturday apparently brought some negativity for them as one of their important players, Ramires, was forced to leave the pitch with what looked to be a knee injury.

This situation is apparently worrying for the Blues’ manager, Andre Villas-Boas, who tried to be optimistic with his Brazilian midfielder’s condition, hoping that it won’t be a very serious knee problem for the ex-Benfica man.

Making his own analyzes over Ramires’s situation, Villas-Boas believed that the midfielder might only suffered a medial ligament injury, which would only forced someone out for around few weeks out. However, the tactician admitted that the Brazilian’s actual condition can only be determined after MRI scan, and the hope is obviously that no operation would be needed as it would pretty much make the midfielder absent for months.

“It looks like a medial ligament injury, not so bad in terms of knee injuries. He will have an MRI tomorrow and we will know the full extent. Hopefully he will avoid an operation and be back soon. We could look at four weeks, but we have to know the extent of the injury to give a good assessment,” Villas-Boas stated
Having the tough footballing month soon arriving with Champions League fixture around, Villas-Boas has every right to have concern over Ramires’ condition especially if the Brazilian will be out for months. With the winter market already closing to an end, Chelsea could be forced to make a panic signign should the lose the ex-Benfica man for months since there will be plenty matches which the Blues must play and would need plenty of depth.

Obviously should Ramires is out for a long time, Chelsea’s success in beating QPR 1-0 with Juan Mata’s controversial goal would be less joyful since things could get more difficult for them for the remaining of this season. A little bit comforting sign for Villas-Boas’ team would be the return of Michael Essien with the first team again after his long absence, Essien’s presence could be more essential in the coming weeks especially if he managed to get his performance back on track.

Goals from Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt saw Liverpool get revenge for last season’s FA Cup at Old Trafford as they beat Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield. Elsewhere Chelsea beat QPR and Newcastle were shocked by Brighton.

While the clash at Anfield got all the headlines this week, the biggest story took place on the coast as Brighton boss Gus Poyet once again haunted Newcastle in the FA Cup.

Puyot cored two goals for Chelsea in the 2000 semi-final against Toon as the Blues went on to lift the trophy and today he saw his side stun the Premier League high-fliers to reach the last 16 for the second year running.

Newcastle have not looked the same since Demba Ba left on international duty and Alan Pardew must be counting the days until he returns.

Back at Anfield, it has been a memorable couple of days for Liverpool fans. On Wednesday they knocked the blue half of Manchester out of the Carling Cup and today they beat the red side of Manchester. Park Ji-Sung had cancelled out Daniel Agger’s headed opener in the first half, and the tie looked to be heading towards a replay at Old Trafford until Dirk Kuyt made it 2-1 three minutes from time, latching on to an Andy Carroll flick to beat David de Gea at his near post. Who would have thought that before the end of January that both Manchester clubs would be out of the Champions League, Carling Cup and FA Cup?

In a tense atmosphere at Loftus Road, Earlier, Juan Mata’s penalty not long after the hour mark was enough to see Chelsea beta neighbours Queens Park Rangers. Before the game both teams declines the usual pre-match handshake after worries that none of the QPR players would shake the hand of Terry.

In other F.A. Cup ties on Saturday, Bolton continued its recent resurgence beating Swansea 2-1; Stoke won 2-0 at Derby County, and West Brom‘s poor home form continued as they lost 2-1 to Norwich City.

On Friday, Spurs did just enough to win 1-0 at Watford, while in the clash between two of the best American players in history, Landon Donovan’s Everton beat Clint Dempsey’s Fulham side 2-1.

Having left a pretty bad mark in their latest meeting with Manchester United, Liverpool apparently wants their upcoming meeting against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the FA Cup returns as a memorable fixture in a footballing way.

This wish is being revealed by the Reds’ captain, Steven Gerrard, who felt that what happened in both clubs’ previous meeting have pretty much gave more negative aspect towards his team which is obviously not related with football.

Gerrard hopes that the upcoming match could really be a spectacle and made the headline due to the quality performances that both teams put out instead of some negativity such as racism incidents which caught Luis Suarez. The midfielder also added that a rivalry battle such as Liverpool against Man United should always produced stories about how intense the match was instead of non related stories with football.

Liverpool and Manchester United is a massive rivalry and there is going to be stuff in the newspapers and banter between fans. But it would be fantastic if it is remembered for being a top game and, from our point of view, a Liverpool win. We all have a responsibility to ensure this game is remembered for the football. We don’t want any front-page stories from this game or any stories which are not about a football match between two top sides – and may the best team win,” Gerrard revealed.

The captain obviously is trying to take away all the negativity aspect that so far has done more damage to Liverpool instead of adding some positive impact, since losing Suarez along with receiving tons of critics are not actually something good for the Reds. Having more negative things could affected the players’ mentality considering they’re not actually having a very consistent season so far, despite managed to pick up some good results against big teams.

Beating Manchester United in the FA Cup would also give a big lift for Liverpool especially after their recent success in defeating current league leader, Manchester City in the Carling Cup. Upsetting two Manchester duo in the local cups might be a morale boost they’re looking for to improver their current league position in the table and chase their target, which is qualifying for Champions League football next season.

photo credit: Ben Sutherland

Chelsea‘s up coming against Queens Par Rangers will be the first meeting for both John Terry and Anton Ferdinand since claims that Terry racially abused Ferdinand surfaced last October.

And according to chief racism campaigner, Lord Herman Ouseley, he expects the duo to diffuse the tension surrounding the incident by shaking hands during the customary pre match formalities.

Terry’s case is due to be heard in the next few days, in fact 3 days after the crunch fixture slated for Saturday and many are waiting with bated breathe to see the reaction the home fans will give Terry.

Of course this is not the first time Terry finds himself in such a position. Who can forget his infamous affair with fellow team mate Wayne Bridge’s then girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

When their respective teams met later in an English Premiership match at Stamford Bridge. Bridge infamously snubbed John Terry handshake as the players exchanged niceties ahead of the match.

Lord Ouseley is not hoping for a repeat of that and has called on both players to approach the situation with civility.

“Here we have the due process taking place, where a player will face the consequences of his actions, but there is every reason for players and indeed fans to show civility and respect toward each other and focus on the football. I have nothing against that.

“A handshake now is part of the reconciliation and honesty that needs to take place. There is nothing wrong for someone making a mistake to apologise for it, hold their hands up and then face the consequences and move on. Lord Ouseley told Espnsoccernet.

Lord Ouseley went on to say that it was more about reconciliation and not hostility. That if both players failed to do this, their reputation and that of the sport would be in great danger especially to the coming generations who will not understand the need for harmony insport.

Meanwhile, both managers Mark Hughes and Villas-Boas have expressed concerns about selecting both players to start with the QPR fans having been reminded that any form of abuse will not be tolerated.

That said, it will be interesting to see how both players approach the match. My guess is that Ferdinand will be the bigger man and shake hands with Terry.

Photo Credit © ScROs

Two big wins tonight in the FA Cup for Bolton and QPR, two sides that have been struggling for wins in the league this season.

Bolton beat fourth-tier Macclesfield 2-0 to reach the competition’s last 32. First-half goals by striker Kevin Davies and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov set up an all-Premier League match against Swansea on Jan. 28.

QPR were not as convincing as they needed a goal from defender Danny Gabbidon in the 73rd-minute goal to beat MK Dons. QPR will now play Chelsea at home in the fourth-round.

The win for the first for recently-hired Mark Hughes, but he has to consider his side lucky to still be in the cup, as MK Dons were the better side for long stretches of the match.

Elsewhere Leicester thrashed Nottingham Forest 4-0 thanks to a hat trick by former Everton striker Jermaine Beckford to set up a match against fourth-tier team Swindon, which caused the biggest upset of the third round by beating Premier League side Wigan 2-1.

Millwall will host fellow League Championship side Southampton in the fourth round after winning its replay against Dagenham & Redbridge 5-0, with striker Darius Henderson also scoring a hat trick.

Thierry Henry’s promising debut on his return to Arsenal pretty much hypnotized everyone including the Gunners’ manager, Arsene Wenger, who can’t seem to stop sending out his praises towards the veteran striker.

Scoring the London team’s winning goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup apparently convinced Wenger that Henry is ready to play in the premier league, partnering Robin Van Persie up front.

“Thierry can play behind or in front of Robin or on the flank, Robin can play on the flank too, but I don’t know yet what I will do. They can play together, of course, and they did play together,” Wenger stated.

Wenger’s confidence is pretty much based on how fast Henry managed to contribute for his team as in the match against Leeds despite being brought on from the bench, the Frenchman managed to slot home the winning goal. The strike also reminds the tactician a lot of Henry’s classic style in front of the goal, something that has been such a legendary feat for every Arsenal lovers, who witnessed their golden years back then.

In his excitement, Wenger resembles’ Henry’s comeback goal as a magical moment that rarely happens in football or even in Arsenal’s recent matches. The tactician also admitted that at first his not that confident whether the veteran striker still managed to score a goal especially considering it was the 34-years-old’s first comeback match in the Gunners’ jersey.

“It was a little bit of a dream, because it was a story about football you would tell some young children. Unfortunately it is not often like that in our game, but sometimes it happens. When he got in that position I thought ‘oh, that’s your angle’, but it was a bit too close. That is where he surprised me. He still didn’t force the shot, he still made it look easy. At the start I thought he was too much on the left, but he had that special finishing that he has shown tonight. That was the Thierry Henry finishing.” Wenger added.

It would be interesting to see how huge would be Henry’s impact in his short return to Arsenal as at the very least the veteran could be involved in several important matches, including the Gunners’ first leg in the Champions League against Ac Milan. Should the club’s legend managed to provide positive impact in the first meeting at San Siro, by the time he left for the second leg, Arsenal might already be in a great position to qualify for the next round.

photo credit: wonker

Here is a look at the best goals from the 3rd round of FA Cup action over the weekend