FA Cup Quarter-Finals and Premier League Review

Premier League | Article posted on March 10th, 2025

FA Cup Quarter-Final Review

After a traumatic week, Manchester United were expected to respond strongly when they faced Chelsea at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Within eleven minutes, the Premier League champions elect had put the bad memories from the defeat to Real Madrid behind them, with goals from Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney putting United in a strong position. Inevitable victory was expected to follow. However, Chelsea were not to be bowed without a fight, and as the second-half wore on Chelsea took control of the midfield, and a superb Eden Hazard strike got the Blues back into the match, before Ramires equalised with a classic counter-attacking goal. Only a tremendous David de Gea reaction save from man-of-the-match Juan Mata saved United from being dumped out of the cup, and ultimately the two teams will do battle again at Stamford Bridge in ten days time.

The winner of that tie will play the winner of two seasons ago, Manchester City, as last season’s Premier League champions swept Championship side Barnsley aside routinely, winning by five goals to nil. Carlos Tevez netted a hat-trick as the side that are currently bottom of English football’s second flight posed little opposition for the powerhouse that currently lie second in the Premier League. The draw could have been kinder to City, but they have still be installed as favourites to regain the FA Cup trophy.

Wigan Athletic shocked Everton at Goodison Park, with an incredible spell of three goals in three minutes in the first-half. The Toffees had been the overwhelming favourites before the match began, but were comprehensively outplayed by the Latics, and ultimately lost by three goals to nil. David Moyes’ search for his first trophy as Everton manager goes on, and with his future at the club far from certain, it may be that he never wins a trophy with the club with which he has spent over a decade.

Finally, Millwall drew 0-0 with Blackburn Rovers, thus ensuring that there were two Championship clubs in the draw for the semi-finals. With the draw ensuring that the winner of the replay has avoided the triumvirate of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea, there is plenty of incentive for both sides to give their all when they meet again next week.

Premier League Review

Liverpool desperately needed to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in order to keep their faint Champions League hopes alive. They entered the last quarter of the game two goals to one behind against in-form Spurs, but a defensive howler by Hugo Lloris allowed Liverpool a route back into the game via a fortuitous Stewart Downing goal, before Steven Gerrard’s late penalty nicked the three points for Liverpool. Although the odds are still against the Reds reclaiming their top four place, they cannot be ruled out entirely, and leapfrogging rivals and neighbours Everton in the Premier League table for the first time this season will be a boost for the Reds.

QPR picked up their second consecutive victory by beating Sunderland by three goals to one at Loftus Road. Rangers climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table for the first time in several weeks thanks to a good comeback against Martin O’ Neill side, and avoiding relegation now looks a possibility for the big spending London club.

Reading and Aston Villa played out an exciting relegation six-pointer at the Madejski stadium. The home side certainly deserved something from the game, but ultimately Gabriel Agbonlahor’s goal was enough to decide the match, condemning the Royals to the foot of the Premier League table.

Norwich and Southampton played out a goalless draw which meant that the Canaries sneaked a point closer to safety while the Saints are just four points clear of the drop zone, and will surely continue to play a part in the battle to stay in the Premier League in the coming weeks. Papiss Cisse’s injury time winner for Newcastle against Stoke would seem to have ensured that the Toon will remain in the Premier League next season, and can now focus a significant amount of their attention on progressing in the Europa League.

Finally, two teams that have exceeded expectations this term met at the Hawthorns, as West Brom got the better of Swansea by two goals to one. This ensured that the Albion overtook the Swans in the Premier League table, and their current position of eighth is a great credit to rookie manager Steve Clarke. One must say, though, that West Brom will miss Romelu Lukaku next season when he returns to Chelsea.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

Liverpool 3-2 Tottenham
Newcastle 2-1 Stoke
Norwich 0-0 Southampton
QPR 3-1 Sunderland
Reading 1-2 Aston Villa
West Brom 2-1 Swansea

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

1 Man Utd 28 37 71
2 Man City 28 27 59
3 Tottenham 29 15 54
4 Chelsea 28 26 52
5 Arsenal 28 21 47
6 Liverpool 29 20 45
7 Everton 28 9 45
8 West Brom 29 2 43
9 Swansea 29 4 40
10 Fulham 28 -5 33
11 Stoke 29 -8 33
12 West Ham 28 -9 33
13 Newcastle 29 -10 33
14 Norwich 29 -18 33
15 Sunderland 29 -9 30
16 Southampton 29 -12 28
17 Aston Villa 29 -26 27
18 Wigan 28 -22 24
19 Reading 29 -21 23
20 QPR 29 -21 23