Soccer Buzz

Another exciting round of games from this side of the pond this weekend. This weekend saw a 6 goal thriller at Stamford Bridge whilst elsewhere City fans were calling for Stuart Pearce’s head after his side were dumped out of the cup away at Blackburn.

Middlesbrough V Manchester United
The first of the quarter finals. The visitors took the lead through Wayne Rooney, the scouser jinked past a couple of Boro’ defenders on the edge of the box before driving a low shot past Mark Schwarzer. Lee Cattermole volleyed Middlesbrough level on the stroke of half-time.
The home side took a shock lead after the break with George Boateng heading in Boro’s second a minute after the interval, but then handled Rio Ferdinand’s header after 66 minutes at the other end and Ronaldo equalised freom the spot to send the tie into a replay.
My prediction: United to progress
Actual Result: 2 - 2 (the jury is still out)

Chelsea V Tottenham Hotspur
The tie of the round saw an all-London affair at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea started badly and Dimitar Berbatov smashed the ball past Petr Cech to put Tottenham ahead. Chelsea hit back almost instantly and midfielder Frank Lampard levelled after turing in Michael Ballack’s shot. Michael Essien turned the ball into his own net to give Tottenham a deserved lead. Ghaly then netted a third after a powerful run. Then the game turned on it’s head, with the home side trailing, the blue’s slipped into gear and it was one-way traffic towards the spurs goal. Lampard claimed his second after the interval, slotting home from close range after a ping-pong session in the Spurs six yard box. Soloman Kalou then grabbed an equaliser for Chelsea after sweetly volleying home Didier Drogba’s headed knock down. Defoe was unlucky not to win the tie for Spurs after his mazy run and shot resulted in a smash off the crossbar.
My Prediction: Chelsea to progress
Actual Result: 3 - 3 (the jury is still out)

Blackburn Rovers V Manchester City
The visitors were dumped out of the FA Cup thanks to a Moenka opener and Derbyshire’s finish on the stroke of full time. The visiting supporters vented their frustrations at their constantly under-achieving club and cries of ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ rang out from the 7,000 away fans.
My Prediction: 2 - 0
Actual Result: 2 - 0 (SPOT ON)

Plymouth Argyle V Watford
The Championship V The Premiership. Watford ran out eventual winners thanks to Hamuer Bouazza powerful left footed strike in the 21st minute. That goal galvinised the home side and Plymouth threw everything they had at Watford, who can thank on loan keeper Ben Foster for cementing them a place in the Semi-Finals. A future England number 1 me thinks!