The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Manchester City down to 10 men, but hang on for replay

Posted: 04 Jan 2014 07:05 AM PST

January 04, 2014

Blackburn Rovers's Grant Hanley (left) jumps on a teammate's back as they celebrate Scott Dann's goal during their FA Cup third round soccer match against Manchester City at Ewood Park in Blackburn, northwest England today. - Reuters pic, January 4, 2014.Premier League title favourites Manchester City were reduced to 10 men on Saturday as they survived a torrid examination of their class by lower league Blackburn Rovers in a feisty 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third round.

City, unexpectedly beaten by Wigan Athletic in last season's FA Cup final, went ahead with a 45th minute goal by Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo, but Championship side Blackburn levelled 10 minutes later through a similar close-range effort by Scott Dann.

Manuel Pellegrini's much-changed team had further chances to score but also rode their luck and needed to bring on Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure for Brazilian Fernandinho to retain control. Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata was dismissed in the 85th minute following two yellow card offences.

Blackburn pushed hard for a winner in the closing minutes, but City replaced Spanish winger David Silva with Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta and hung on for a replay back at the Etihad Stadium. – Reuters, January 4, 2014.

Liverpool versus Oldham, a Rodgers family affair

Posted: 04 Jan 2014 06:52 AM PST

January 04, 2014

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (pic) will come up against his own son, Anton, on Sunday when his side host third-tier Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup third round.

Anton Rodgers, a 20-year-old midfielder, joined Oldham from Brighton and Hove Albion last July and has made 13 appearances for the League One outfit this season.

However, with Oldham having stunned Liverpool 3-2 in the fourth round last season, Brendan Rodgers says he will not allow his players to go easy on his son.

"In all seriousness, that's the job – but it is also a situation that I will want my players to pay attention to, because the footballing gods sometimes come into it as well," he told several British newspapers.

"With the footballing gods, he could end up getting a goal. But not only that, I have to get the team to keep an eye on him because he's a good player.

"He's got quality, he has a great view of the game and he's a real footballer. So I can't skip over it because it's Anton. This is business." – AFP, January 4, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Sabtu, 4 Januari 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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