..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Baines: FA Cup 'there for the taking' for Everton

Leighton Baines insists that anything can happen in the FA Cup and claims that Everton has what it takes to lift the trophy this season.

The Toffees face Championship side Bolton Wanderers on Saturday as they look to edge closer to ending their 18-year trophy drought. The club came close to winning the FA Cup almost four years ago, falling in the 2009 final to Chelsea, and Baines believes the Toffees can reach the peak this season.

"It's the best route for us to win something, as you can see from the lineup in the last round. The manager played a strong team [at Cheltenham]," Baines told BBC Radio Merseyside. "It's there for the taking if you can keep winning. That's all you've got to do in the Cup. It's not always about the performance - it's all about winning."

The 28-year-old believes that his side escaped a potential giant-killing against Cheltenham, but he is aware that shock results come hand-in-hand with cup runs, referring in particular to the unexpected League Cup final match up of League Two Bradford City, and Premier League side Swansea.

"Cheltenham was a potential banana skin but we dealt with it. Bolton are just out of the Premier League so it's going to be more of a level playing field," Baines said. "It's still going to be a very tricky game. Cup games are tough and we've seen that in the last few nights in the other cup competition."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferguson: Berbatov was not a failure at Manchester United

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Dimitar Berbatov's performances for the club, insisting that the Bulgarian striker was in no way a failure, as some have labelled his time there.

The Bulgarian is due to return to Old Trafford on Saturday for the first time since moving to Fulham over the summer for significantly less than the 30 million pound fee that brought him to Manchester from Tottenham. While Ferguson concedes that Berbatov is not an industrious player, he insists that the 31-year-old's goalscoring rate was impressive during his time at United. Berbatov's reign at United included a Premier League-best 20-goal campaign in 2010-11.

"I don't think Dimitar was a failure here," Ferguson told reporters. "Some people like to see players run through brick walls all the time. Dimitar is not that type of player, but he is a very talented player and he had a decent goalscoring record here."

The Scot also expressed his belief that Berbatov, who has seven goals for Fulham this season, was unlucky to be overtaken by Chicharito in the pecking order after the Mexican's "fantastic" debut season at the club.

"That was not a problem for him," Ferguson said. "The problem for him here was the way we wanted to play and the selections I had to make. When you have choices you hope to make the right one. Chicharito had a fantastic first season with us, and as time went on he became a more regular player than Dimitar."

Ahead of the fourth-round meeting with Berbatov's new team, Ferguson also underlined his ambition to win his sixth - and Manchester United's 12th - FA Cup.

"We all know at this club that we haven't done well in this tournament for a few years now," Ferguson said. "It's a cup which has fantastic appeal, given our record in it. We have the benefit of a home draw, which I always say we would want."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Exciting youngster Wilfried Zaha has passed his medical at Manchester United

Wilfried Zaha has passed his medical at Manchester United and Sky sources are reporting that he has signed a five-and-a-half year deal.

The 20-year-old forward is to be loaned straight back to his former club, Championship promotion-chasers Crystal Palace, before linking up with United in July.Zaha came through the youth academy at Crystal Palace and has scored 15 goals in 124 appearances for the Eagles since he was given a debut against Cardiff in March 2010.

A skilful, pacy forward who can play on the wing or as a striker, Zaha made his England debut as a substitute against Sweden last November.United are believed to be paying around £10m up front for his services, with the fee potentially rising to £15m if certain conditions are met.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "As we like to do, we sign young players with potential. We can also develop players well here, that's proved to be the case many times."Hopefully the boy will enjoy it coming here, when he eventually does join us in the summer."

Zaha said: "I am delighted to be joining Manchester United and ending the recent speculation."I would like to thank the owners at Palace for making the move possible.However, my focus for the next five months will be solely at Crystal Palace.

"I have been at Palace for more than 10 years, I will always love the club, and I want to help get them get back to the Premier League, particularly for the fans who have always been so good to me."And Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish said: "I feel this is a great deal for the club and the player. We would like to thank Wilf for all he has done for the club and we all wish him well when he joins Manchester United in the summer.

"It was essential to Wilf and ourselves that he stayed at Palace for the remainder of this season, to help the club with its main aim of promotion to the Premier League."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Zaha!

Congratulations Zaha!

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Malaga 2-4 Barcelona (Agg 4-6): Blaugrana set up semifinal showdown with Real Madrid

Barcelona belatedly broke Malaga's game resistance in the closing stages of an epic Copa del Rey clash at the Rosaleda, triumphing 4-2 on the night, and 6-4 on aggregate, to set up a mouthwatering last-four encounter with great rival Real Madrid.

Twice the Blaugrana went ahead, through Pedro and Gerard Pique, and twice they were pegged back, first by Joaquin and then by Roque Santa Cruz. However, the Catalans reclaimed the lead through Andres Iniesta before Lionel Messi sealed their progression to the semifinals with a late header.

Barcelona’s disappointment at having drawn the first leg at home had been compounded by the shock of losing in La Liga for the first time this season, Tito Vilanova’s men suffering a dramatic defeat against Real Sociedad. However, they looked in fine fettle early on at the Rosaleda, taking the lead with the kind of wonderful passing move which has become their trademark in recent years.

Dani Alves advanced down the right wing before slipping a pass inside that Pedro cleverly allowed to run on to Xavi. The playmaker, as his wont, took a moment before smoothly slipping the ball through to Alves, who had continued his run in behind the Malaga defense. The Brazilian then calmly assessed his options before deftly chipping the ball up for the supporting Pedro to head home.

Other sides may have folded after being seemingly put so firmly in their place by Barca’s bewitching brilliance, but Malaga, as it so wonderfully underlined at Camp Nou the week before, is well able to mix it with the self-styled masters of the beautiful game and they drew level less than four minutes later, Joaquin sweeping home from just inside the Barca box.

The visitors went close to restoring their one-goal advantage, both on the night and on aggregate, at the end of a truly enthralling opening quarter when Martin Demichelis gifted possession to Lionel Messi on the edge of his own area, but the talismanic No. 10 saw his low strike well saved by Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

At the other end, Roque Santa Cruz was unable to control his volley after getting on the end of an inswinging cross from the left-hand side, but it was Barca which was still carrying the greater attacking threat and Andres Iniesta struck the top of the bar following a sublime one-two with Messi.

As it was, the two sides went in at halftime still level on the night and on aggregate, but with Malaga head on account of the away goals rule. However, Barca reclaimed the lead within four minutes of the restart, Pique showing the poise of a center forward in controlling a precision pass from Iniesta before slotting past Kameni.

Iniesta opened up the hosts' defense again on 67 minutes, scooping the ball through for Messi, who, again, inexplicably shot tamely at Kameni. It proved a costly miss because Malaga immediately counterattacked and Joaquin, after cutting infield, laid the ball off to Santa Cruz, who angled a shot past Jose Pinto via the right post.

Barca was furious, with a number of its contingent having felt that Fabregas had been stamped on by Weligton before Malaga had broken upfield. However, it did not allow their rage to get the better of the club and simply went about reclaiming the lead, which it did with just 10 minutes remaining.

Iniesta again provided the inspiration, playing another wonderful one-two, on this occasion with Fabregas, before sliding the ball under the advancing Kameni. This time around, Barca made sure that it finished the job, with Messi atoning for his earlier misses by heading home another wonderful delivery from the right from Alves.

 

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Xavi: Casillas is the heart and soul of Real Madrid

 

[මුගටියා]

Exciting youngster Wilfried Zaha has passed his medical at Manchester United

Wilfried Zaha has passed his medical at Manchester United and Sky sources are reporting that he has signed a five-and-a-half year deal.

The 20-year-old forward is to be loaned straight back to his former club, Championship promotion-chasers Crystal Palace, before linking up with United in July.Zaha came through the youth academy at Crystal Palace and has scored 15 goals in 124 appearances for the Eagles since he was given a debut against Cardiff in March 2010.

A skilful, pacy forward who can play on the wing or as a striker, Zaha made his England debut as a substitute against Sweden last November.United are believed to be paying around £10m up front for his services, with the fee potentially rising to £15m if certain conditions are met.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "As we like to do, we sign young players with potential. We can also develop players well here, that's proved to be the case many times."Hopefully the boy will enjoy it coming here, when he eventually does join us in the summer."

Zaha said: "I am delighted to be joining Manchester United and ending the recent speculation."I would like to thank the owners at Palace for making the move possible.However, my focus for the next five months will be solely at Crystal Palace.

"I have been at Palace for more than 10 years, I will always love the club, and I want to help get them get back to the Premier League, particularly for the fans who have always been so good to me."And Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish said: "I feel this is a great deal for the club and the player. We would like to thank Wilf for all he has done for the club and we all wish him well when he joins Manchester United in the summer.

"It was essential to Wilf and ourselves that he stayed at Palace for the remainder of this season, to help the club with its main aim of promotion to the Premier League."

good luck

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Odemwingie blasts West Brom fans as he seeks exit

Peter Odemwingie has reaffirmed his desire to leave West Brom this month, placing the blame for his wish to exit with the Baggies' fans.

Goal.com revealed earlier this month that the Nigeria international was looking to force a move to QPR as he had grown unhappy at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies rejected a transfer request from Odemwingie on Thursday, but he remains determined to leave the club before next Thursday's transfer deadline, taking to Twitter to explain his decision to West Brom fans.

"I can understand the reaction of few Albion fans on my desire to leave the club. Real reason? Cos they once doubted my commitment," he said on the micro-blogging site."Want to know why I wanted to quit top flight football last summer earlier than I wished to ? They know at the club."

He added, "Albion fans are not the only reason,but made it easier for me to decide to stay and try my best to forget about the disappointment.

"I succeeded in doing that. But it's not getting better. Before bigger disappointment comes one day I better leave on a good note.

"I am crazy haha adviser text saying don't tweet, it weakens our position. Doesn't weaken nothing! When I want to do something, I Do it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brighton 2-3 Arsenal: Super-sub Walcott edges Gunners through

Theo Walcott came off the bench to fire Arsenal into the FA Cup fifth round with a dramatic late winner in a 3-2 victory against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium.

The Arsenal forward was rested by manager Arsene Wenger but saved the Gunners' blushes five minutes from time with a deflected strike.

Olivier Giroud had twice given Arsenal the lead but the Premier League side was pegged back on both occasions by its Championship opponent through goals from Ashley Barnes and debutant Leonardo Ulloa.

The result was harsh on Brighton, which knocked out Newcastle in the third round, but Arsenal showed fighting spirit of its own as the north London club seeks its first trophy in eight years.

Brighton had the first real opportunity of the match in the 15th minute when David Lopez lifted a ball over the top to Ashley Barnes, who was played onside by the Arsenal defense but saw his shot brilliantly saved by Wojciech Szczesny.

Less than a minute later, Arsenal was ahead. The visitors broke rapidly from the resulting corner and when Giroud took the ball from Lukas Podolski on the edge of the penalty area, the Frenchman worked half a yard of space and launched an unstoppable left-footed strike into the top corner.

Brighton's equalizer arrived in the simplest of circumstances in the 33rd minute. David Lopez swung in a cross from the right and Barnes was allowed to rise unmarked to head home from inside the six-yard box as Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny flapped at thin air.

Arsenal began the second-half with more purpose, Podolski rattling the crossbar with a thumping effort before Giroud restored the lead in the 56th minute with his second goal of the game.

Abou Diaby played a lovely long ball over the Brighton back four, which Giroud plucked out of the air with a gorgeous first touch and then steered his finish past Casper Ankergren on the stretch.

Giroud forced Ankergren into a sharp save as he sought a hat trick after running on to Tomas Rosicky’s long pass, but Brighton continued to threaten in wide areas.

In the 62nd minute, it was level again. Barnes turned provider this time, whipping in a superb cross from the right, where Santos was again AWOL, for Ulloa to score a debut goal with a diving header.

Wenger responded by introducing Walcott and Wilshere from the bench - and in the 85th minute the striker made the difference with the winning goal.

Brighton failed to properly clear an Arsenal corner and the ball fell to Walcott on the edge of the area, whose shot took a huge deflection off Adam El Abd before nestling in the corner.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reading 4-0 Sheffield United: Hunt bags twice to send McDermott's men through

Reading survived a first half scare to comfortably dispose Sheffield United 4-0 and progress through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Reading started like a team that had taken four wins from its last five games and within six minutes, it was ahead when a floating Hal Robson-Kanu cross met the head of Noel Hunt, who rose well and steered it into the far corner.

That early shock seemed to compose the visitors however, and mid-way through the first half, Nick Blackman comfortably eased past Nicky Shorey before producing a drilled cross that left Chris Porter with the goal gaping. However, the Blades' number nine somehow failed to make any contact from all but two yards out.

Buoyed, Danny Wilson's men went close to levelling through Porter again but his flicked header could only drift just wide before Jamie Murphy latched on to some good link-up play from Kitson to fire in a shot that was straight down the throat of the Reading goalkeeper.

However, the League 1 outfit was left to pay for its profilgacy when with halftime closing in, Mikele Leigertwood reacted quickly to a blocked Le Fondre shot, exchanged passes with wideman Gareth McCleary and produced a rasping drive that nestled in.

That second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors and within 10 minutes of the start of the second half, the Premier League side found itself four goals to the good. First, Hunt claimed his second of the afternoon when he expertly swivelled and finished after fine wing play from McCleary, before the former Nottingham Forest speed merchant burst into the box, and eased inside a Blades defender before slotting it past the hapless goalkeeper.

From there, the tie was played at a pedestrian pace but Stephen Kelly still needed to be on his toes on the Reading goal-line to clear what would have been a consolation strike from Danny Higginbotham.

However, that proved to be the last real chance of note for either side as Brian McDermott's men continued their recent fine form.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke 0-1 Manchester City: Late Zabaleta strike sends Mancini’s men through to fifth round

A late goal from Pablo Zabaleta ensured that Manchester City progressed to the FA Cup fifth round after a hard-fought 1-0 tie with fellow Premier League outfit Stoke City.

Despite The Citizens enjoying the best of the action for the majority of the game, they looked unable to break Stoke down for the most part, with David Silva coming closest in the first half with a curling effort that rattled the woodwork.

However, an unlikely hero emerged in right back Pablo Zabaleta as the Argentinian marauded forward with five minutes remaining, diverting the ball home adeptly and putting the Premier League champions through to the next round of the FA Cup.

Tony Pulis decided to wring the changes from the side that lost 3-1 against Swansea, with Ryan Shotton, Andy Wilkinson, Michael Kightly and Kenwyne Jones all replacing Dean Whitehead, Geoff Cameron, Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch.

Roberto Mancini, meanwhile, chose to tinker solely with his backline as he rested Joe Hart, Gael Clichy and Masteo Nastasic, with Costel Pantilimon, Joleon Lescott and Alexander Kolarov slotting into the team in their absence.

After early half-chances were spurned by Carlos Tevez and Robert Huth on either side, it was almost twenty minutes before the first clear-cut chance fell Manchester City's way; with a quick free-kick from James Milner catching Stoke unaware, David Silva took one touch before curling it goalwards, beating Sorensen but being denied by the post.

Despite the away side's growing pressure, the Potters were next to truly threaten the goal as, after a deep free-kick was turned goalward by Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross was there to turn it home, but, unfortunately for the home side, he was in an offside position and the opener was duly ruled out.

With the Citizens continually proving unable to break the home side down in the remainder of the first half, their problems were exacerbated as captain Vincent Kompany hobbled off injured with a suspected calf strain.

The second half got off to a contentious start as Glenn Whelan dived in dangerously on Javi Garcia but, with Howard Webb's view presumably obscured, the Potters midfielder escaped punishment.

With the second half failing to maintain that lively start, the Citizens began to dominate possession as both Edin Dzeko and substitute Sergio Aguero went close with powerful efforts that fizzed just wide of the post.

As the game seemed to peter out with five minutes left to play, the deadlock was finally broken as, after City broke down the left, Aguero put the ball in, Dzeko managing to get a flick-on and divert it into the path of Pablo Zabaleta. The right-back, bursting into the area unmarked, hit home with the outside of his boot and Manchester City was finally ahead.

Cameron Jerome had the chance to level proceedings in injury time but spurned his chance, firing way over after the ball fell for him from a long-throw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

QPR 2-4 MK Dons: Hosts humiliated by League One giant killers

League One side MK Dons shocked Premier League struggler QPR with an amazing 4-2 win at loftus Road to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Armand Traore put the ball into his own net after just four minutes following a Dean Lewington shot after a corner, and Ryan Lowe netted a brilliant volley after 40 minutes to put the visitors in dreamland.

Lowe then broke the offside trap to set up substitute Ryan Harley to hammer home from six yards before Darren potter curled in a delightful effort to embarrass Harry Redknapp's men.

QPR started with vigor by winning a corner after just 10 seconds, and thought it had gone ahead within a minute, but DJ Campbell's volley was ruled out for a push beforehand.

The visitors were ahead just moments later though, with Traore flicking Lewington's shot into his own net after Shaun Williams put a low cross in from a Dons corner.

The visitors were confident in the early stages, with Ryan Lowe driving a strong effort from 25 yards straight at Green.

However, the early goal didn't unsettle the hosts unduly, with Park stinging David Martin's hands with a strong drive on the edge of the area, and the hosts got forward at every opportunity.

While Redknapp's men poured forward, Dean Bowditch reminded them of the Dons' attacking threat as he stole onto the ball on the half hour and struck a 25-yard effort wide of the post.

David Martin showed great judgement on 33 minutes to rush out and deny Jamie Mackie with the striker through on goal, blocking the forward's sliding finish away bravely with his body.

It seemed as though the hosts would be level soon enough with the pressure they were exerting, but the League One side shocked Loftus Road once more after 40 minutes.

A long ball through saw striker Lowe clean in on goal, and he showed superb technique and temperament to volley in on the bounce from 16 yards into the bottom right-hand corner of Green's net.

The halftime whistle brought with it a chorus of boos from the hosts' fans, who were desperate to see some quality on the ball after their side saw so much possession in the first 45 minutes.

Any halftime words of inspiration from Redknapp appeared to fall on deaf ears though, as Lowe broke the offside trap and pulled back for substitute Harley to put his side three up to send the 3155 visiting fans into further ecstasy.

Potter then curled in a lovely effort from inside the area after calamitous defending from the hosts, leaving the home crowd seething in fury while the travelling fans went delirious.

The shellshocked hosts failed to mount a comeback, and although Jay Bothroyd and Fabio netted late consolations, it was a desperately disappointing day for Redknapp's side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

QPR & Norwich kala neh

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bolton 1-2 Everton: Late Heitinga goal puts Toffees in fifth round

A late goal from Johnny Heitinga gave Everton a 2-1 win over Bolton and sealed its place in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

The visitors opened the scoring in fortunate circumstances, as the ball ricocheted in off Steven Pienaar, but were dragged level when Marvin Sordell finished well at the front post moments later. Both teams pushed for a winner in the second half, but substitute Heitinga had the last laugh as he crashed the ball home from the edge of the box.

The hosts made four changes from last week’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, as Andy Lonergan, Sam Ricketts, Josh Vela and Sordell were handed chances to impress. David Moyes, meanwhile, made just one switch, with the fit-again Kevin Mirallas replacing the out-of-form Steven Naismith out wide.

Perhaps understandably given their largely unchanged team, the Toffees started the brightest. Pienaar should arguably have given them the lead with just seconds on the clock after making contact with a Nikica Jelavic cross from the right, but he could only divert the ball to the back post with his head.

The visitors continued to dominate, but were forced to deal with the not insignificant blow of losing Mirallas to what appeared to be a recurrence of his hamstring problem just 15 minutes in. However, their luck had clearly improved seconds later, as the ball bounced up off Zat Knight onto the chest of Pienaar to allow the South African to score a goal he knew nothing about.

That goal should have solidified the Blues’ status as the dominant force in the match, but they were soon to find themselves on the back foot. Bolton pieced together a fine passing move to allow Darren Pratley to find space on the right and the midfielder’s pin-point cross gave Sordell all the time he needed to side-foot home.

Pratley was at the center of things yet again moments later, as his long-range effort stung the palms of Tim Howard before Everton did enough to clear. And the midfielder hadn’t finished there, as his dispossession of Leon Osman led to a chance which Marcos Alonso was unfortunate to see parried away.

The hosts continued to push for the lead prior to half-time but were kept at bay by some staunch defending from the Everton backline.

Despite the break in play, Dougie Freedman’s team came out for the second half with familiar vigor as Alonso again tested Howard from long range. But, with their manager’s words clearly ringing in their ears, Everton produced a much-improved performance to make the contest a more even one after the break.

Subsequently, the Toffees’ best chance prior to the hour mark fell to Jelavic after a fine through ball, but the Croatian’s touch was heavy and allowed Lonergan to clear. That sloppiness largely summed up the remaining half hour but Everton showed its top-flight quality as Heitinga pounced on a poor clearance to emphatically put his side in the next round.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cote d’Ivoire 3-0 Tunisia: Elephants crush Eagles of Carthage to coast to the quarterfinals

Gervinho, Yaya Toure and Didier Ya Konan scored a goal each in a 3-0 win against Tunisia on Saturday in Rustenburg, securing Cote d’Ivoire’s ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Elephants, short of the services of their talismanic captain Didier Drogba, gained a foothold after the first quarter, with Salomon Kalou missing two clear cut chances after his close-range header failed to find the target and a powerful drive from 20 yards was blocked by Tunisia goalkeeper Ben Cherifia.



By the 21st minute, the Ivorians were still on top of proceedings and opened the scoring through a corner kick, when Gervinho snatched a loose ball from a Tunisian defender to the left of the box before hitting a low pass to Anzhi Makhachkala forward Lacina Traore, who threaded back to the Arsenal player, who side-footed his effort well to put the West Africans ahead.The north Africans showed some determination to pull level after the half hour mark. Some neat passing between Saber Khlifa, Mejdi Traoui and Msakni up front could have created goal chances but failed to survive a well-drilled Ivorian defensive system.

Traore had the first goal opportunity after the break from a free kick executed by PSG’s Siaka Tiene, but the tall striker headed down to the side of the post.

Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi brought in Oussama Darragi and Hamdi Harbaoui at the hour mark as the Eagles hustled and harried for an equalizer. Khlifa was served to the right flank of the Ivorian area, but after outrunning his marker and charging into the box, he hit a powerful effort that whistled just wide.

Cote d’Ivoire retook domination during the last 10 minutes of the meeting, with Yaya Toure doubling the lead after linking a cross from Tiene and unleashing a long-range effort that finished inside the Tunisian net.Last-minute substitute Didier Ya Konan of Hannover scored the third goal for the Elephants after collecting an assist from Gervinho.

The Elephants have now qualified for the quarterfinals after totalling six points from their two victories.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Manchester United 4-1 Fulham: Chicharito doubles up for comfortable hosts

Manchester United sealed a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup as it comfortably saw off a desperate Fulham side, thanks to a penalty from Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney's driven strike and a Javier Hernandez brace.

Fulham responded with a late goal from Aaron Hughes, but in truth the center half endured a horrendous evening having conceded the penalty and been at fault for the majority of the goals.

The last two times the Red Devils have seen off the Cottagers in the FA Cup, they have gone on to win the competition and Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that omen bears fruit again, as his side chases another treble.

United began in typically blistering fashion as it mustered up a chance immediately from the outset as Rooney engineered a chance, which was eventually deflected wide for a corner.

From the subsequent set-piece, the home side would be handed a spot-kick, quite literally.

Rooney's in-swinger hit the hand of Hughes as he jumped with Chris Smalling and Giggs, who was elected as the spot kick taker after Rooney's recent misses, dispatched aplomb despite the best efforts of Mark Schwarzer.

After the early setback, Fulham looked to get the ball down and resume its slick passing game but lacked Giorgios Karagounis' calm head in midfield, and the hosts looked to hit the Cottagers on the counter every time they seized on the loose ball.

Ferguson's side was incisive with its passing in the final third and an eye-of-the-needle through-ball from Rafael found the overlapping Nani, whose cutback to Rooney was ultimately fired onto the bar from Schwarzer's vital save.

You sensed the second goal would ultimately have a huge bearing on the end result, and the hosts sought to claim it as they were denied a second penalty before missing a series of presentable chances.

Giggs and Patrice Evra linked up well down the left-hand side and when the Welshman freed the latter, Damien Duff stuck out his arm to divert the ball out for a corner, but to the astonishment of the United players and Old Trafford crowd, Mark Clattenburg refused to award another penalty.

Rooney was then denied by Schwarzer once again, with the Australian veteran desperate to give his side a fighting chance in the second period, while Nani also went close on two occasions but after working himself some space, he fired wide each time.

It appeared United felt it had been on the receiving end of a grave injustice and set about putting the record straight as it started the second-half with new-found verve and vigour.

And after Berbatov wasted a fantastic chance for Martin Jol's side, the Cottagers were duly and emphatically punished by a quickfire double from Rooney and Hernandez.

Rooney, who was at the center of everything good about United's display, was slipped in by a wonderful Anderson slide rule pass and after controlling and checking back inside Hughes, the 27-year-old smashed a ferocious effort past the hapless Schwarzer.

The 40-year-old had stayed out on the pitch at half-time to practice his shot-stopping, but it seemed like a waste of time when United stretched further clear.

Jol and Schwarzer will quite rightly be asking questions of the defense, as they stood off Nani and Rooney, leaving the latter with the simplest task of locating Javier Hernandez in the six-yard box, and the predatory Mexican made no mistake.

Fulham looked visibly deflated and the game was effectively over as a contest but United was hungry for more to see off any lingering threat. Hernandez sealed the West Londoners' fate.

The space offered to Hernandez and Rooney was frightening as United attacked at will but although the visitors' defending was slack, to say the least, the Mexican's effort was fortuitously diverted past his own keeper by Hughes, who had a torrid night defensively.

The Northern Irishman proved no match for United's illustrious strikeforce at times but showed his fellow teammates how to do it in front of goal as he grabbed a consolation strike when he headed Karagounis' corner home at David De Gea's near post.

Fulham looked to grab another and almost did when substitute Hugo Rodallega arrowed a shot wide but another goal would have made for a misleading scoreline, with Ferguson's men safely navigating their way through to Sunday's draw for the fifth round.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Congratulations Manchester United!!!​

 

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Brighton 2-3 Arsenal: Super-sub Walcott edges Gunners through

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QPR & Norwich kala neh