week 15

pricey · Cult Status

week 15

Tezza · Cult Status

Italian Domestic Cup

The ITALIAN DOMESTIC CUP. Quarter finals

The Italian Cup moved closer to a conclusion. Eight teams put everything into this final push to the semi-finals but only 4 can go forward. On paper at least three of the matches looked a little one-sided.

Sampdoria v Brescia

Carl Robsons Sampdoria still have not lost a match this season. They were just too good for Brescia and go through after putting two goals past them. I am not sure they were at their best on the night, but they did enough.

Sampdorias 16 year old striker Milicic scored one and made the other. I still think some of the Sampdoria defenders look in need of a rest. In the next round they are away to Reggina.

Reggina v Parma

This was the surprise of the night. I did not think Reggina would handle Parma but Danni Aguino scored in the 16^th minute and Parma never looked like catching them. Reggina played the possession game, passing the ball around until the opportunities came and then inflicting the damage. Reggina are still third in the league and seem to be taking everything in their stride.

So it is good luck to Daniel Robertsons side for the next round.

Genoa v Ascoli

Genoa are boiling over with confidence and not only running away with the league but this Cup as well. Callum Ward must be smiling all day long with the way his team just keeps pushing the opposition aside. In the next round Genoa come up against Juventus in what will be the draw of the competition.

This should be their toughest test so far in this competition.

Juventus v A.C. Milan

A. C. Milan were swept aside by a tremendous performance by Juventus.

Zhiricov scored four times, the first in the third minute. Steve Jenkins put out a very strong side with the emphasis on holding the midfield and using his two excellent forwards to snap up the opportunities. They are now favourites for the Italian Cup.

SEMI-FINALS.

Genoa v Juventus and Reggina v Samdoria

Revised betting on the Cup. Juventus 11-8 Genoa 3-1 Sampdoria 4-1 Reggina 8-1.

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakleys corner

Relegation dog fight

Middlesboro 0 Manchester City 1

Newcastle 0 Liverpool 2

Portsmouth 1 Leicester 0

Manchester City gained ground on rivals in the relegation fight with an impressive win over stubborn Middlesboro. Newcastle and Leicester both lost as expected meaning only one point now separate those battling it for for survival. Its hard to see Watford now surviving being 7 points off safety and a goal difference that is unlikely to be improved enough.

Just one point separates Manchester City, Leicester and Newcastle who are currently above the relegation zone. It is sure to be an intense finishing to the season for this hoping to keep Premiership status.

Coakleys Corner

"Its a very interesting battle for survival this season and its just impossibly tough to call. Manchester City have gone for it with the signing of Kaka but there key players are going to struggle to play week in week out, it is vital that Simon (Manchester City manager) uses them in the right way and gets the right results when they can play.

Leicester are still looking fresh and have some good player and if im honest I thought they would have been higher in the league at this point with the experience they have in terms of management and chairman. I will be interesting to see what loans they can bring in from Juventus as the season comes closer to the transfer window closing as I believe this could make the difference.

Newcastle have some good players and currently have safety in there own hands. I think they will need more goals from upfront to stay up and if Djalo and Agbonlahor can hot form they have a better chance."

Coakleys corner

Play up Pompey

Portsmouth 1 Leicester 0

Portsmouth continued their excellent first season in the premiership with a win against improving Leicester. In all honestly it was a dull encounter with little quality. It was Portsmouth who always looked the more likely team to score however they left it late with Ederson getting the winner on 87 minutes.

Coakleys Corner

"Portsmouth made hard work of this win but its another 3 points which puts them in a very strong league position. Pompeys form this season has been nothing short of remarkable after just gaining promotion. For me Alex Wilson will win the manager of the season for the work he is doing at Pompey."

Cardiff Coakleys Corner

Waford 0 Cardiff 7

"It was massively important to get back to winning ways after a few poor results. We knew they are struggling at the bottom of the league but we wanted to make sure of a win and went strong. Goal difference may play a part come the end of the season so I was very pleased with the way the lads kept attacking. In the end we should and could have scored more but it was an excellent performance. We have a very tough game against Boro coming up and then a big Euro game against Palermo so this result is just what we needed."

-- Edited by Luke_C on Monday 23rd of January 2012 03:49:07 PM

Besty · Cult Status

English Cup Quarter Final round up

Liverpool 2-3 Chelsea

John Brady's men sealed their place in the final four with a hard fought win away to Liverpool. The game was a tight won although Chelsea always looked in control and were never behind during the match. Pato's goal after 28mins got the ball rolling only for LB Cale to equalise for the home side bang on half time. Midway through the second half Messi worked his magic to restore the lead for the London club although this lasted just 4mins; Robin Van Persie on loan from Newcastle levelling the match. Wayne Rooney won the game though 7mins from the end and Chelsea are still on for the domestic double.

Spurs 1-2 Arsenal

This London derby ended in an away victory as i predicted however the Gunners did not have it all their own way. Jake Livermore put the home side deservedly in front midway through the first half in which they largely dominated. Whatever Jamie Walker said in the dressing room though obviously worked as Arsenal came out fighting in the second period and their clinical finishing saw them through. Carlos Vela scored the equaliser just 4mins after the restart and LB Keiran Gibbs put the away side in front just 8mins later. Spurs had chances to level the match but Walker's men saw out the remaining half hour to book their place in the semis.

Sheff Weds 5-0 Aston Villa

It couldn't have been much easier for the Owls who march on into the semi finals. They dominated a poor Aston Villa side from start to finish and the final scoreline wasn't flattering at all. Villa couldn't managing a single attempt on goals and with the quality Wednesday have it was obvious from the outset there was to be only one winner. Ched Evans got the ball rolling in the first half to put the home side one nil up but they really went to town in the second half. Goals from Max Wragg, Pascal Negele, Vasili Berezutski and a second from Evans sealed the rout.

Portsmouth 3-1 Blackpool

The south coast side booked their place in the Semi finals of the cup after winning through against a battling tangerine army. All of the goals came in the first half, Calum Davenport and Kevin Kuranyi put Pompey in the driving seat; 2-0 up after just 13mins. Blackpool responded though through DJ Campbell and pressed for the equaliser in an open first half. The game was effectively won on the stroke of half time though with Calum Davenport scoring his second of the match after a swift counter attack. Blackpool huffed and puffed in the second period but Portsmouth saw out the remainder of the preceedings and go on to take their place in the final four.

Semi Final Draw

Arsenal V Sheff Weds

Chelsea V Portsmouth

Jozz · Cult Status