Even at third-round tie between Birmingham and Blackburn few wanted to watch, it was still possible to find a little joyMost match days, you can barely squeeze into the bar of the Royal George Hotel at the north-eastern corner of St Andrew’s. An hour before Birmingham play Blackburn, however, there are still plenty of chairs and tables available. A short distance away, in front of the Tilton Road Stand, a lone steward stands solemn guard in front of a bank of silent turnstiles. The magic of the FA Cup is still very much in evidence, it seems – but these days it tends to be more of a vanishing act.It’s a similar story inside the stadium, where only one of...
Everton have not won at Anfield since 1999 but new manager hopes his record will tell against Liverpool in third-round tieCarlo Ancelotti has a much better record in the FA Cup than Jürgen Klopp, despite spending only two seasons in England to the Liverpool manager’s four. Chelsea went all the way in Ancelotti’s first season at Stamford Bridge, winning at Wembley to leave the Italian newcomer with an impressive league and Cup Double, and, though they were knocked out by Everton in the fourth round the following year, they had already completed a 7-0 rout of Ipswich in the third.It is fair to say that Klopp’s FA Cup career thus far has never hit any of those heights. His Liverpool...
Wolves supporters taunted the away end during their FA Cup draw with United no longer deemed a major threat on the pitch“You’re not famous any more,” sang the home fans in the Jack Hayward Stand, but that isn’t really true. Manchester United are still famous, it’s just not for the same thing anymore. Once, as Steve Bull observed at half-time, Wolves would have feared United, but no longer. There was at least a semblance of pattern here, at least until they got into the final third, but unless they get an early goal and can counter, United rarely look like blowing opponents away. Related: Wolves force FA Cup replay against flat Manchester United after goalless draw Related: Harry Arter’s long-range...
The manager’s entire career feels a rebuke to the idea that life is measured by trophies and his methods have ignited a regionA t teatime last Sunday came perhaps the broadcasting highlight of the festive period, a moment both dramatic and farcical that was soundtracked by a high‑pitched Ayrshire voice shouting the phrases “Big Wes!” and “His own net!” in various combinations, the delirious syntax conveying the sense of the moment far more eloquently than a finely turned sentence could ever have done. As Alan McInally screamed himself hoarse, Leeds fans went berserk, players celebrated and coaches cavorted, Marcelo Bielsa took a walk across his technical area in his big padded coat, seemingly no more moved by the injury-time own...
Minamino’s Merseyside derby baptism, Woodgate’s Tottenham reunion and non-league Fylde take on Sheffield UnitedConsidering they have been fairly regular visitors over the years, Derby’s record at Selhurst Park is pretty miserable. Indeed in their past 15 trips – a run stretching back to 1983 – they’ve won only once. That victory came in 2002 when Georgi Kinkladze scored the only goal of the game. A big-name big-money player past his peak helping the Rams to an unlikely win in south London? You might be able to spot where this is going. Wayne Rooney made his playing return to English football on Thursday night and played a full 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat of Barnsley in which his free-kick supplied...