Wednesday 30 January 2013

Transfer Rumours and Deals - January 30th:

Hello and welcome to my latest blog installment, where I look at some of the transfer rumours and Done deals that have taken place over the past few days, with Transfer Deadline Day upon us tomorrow!

Transfer Rumours and Deals: 

Done DEAL: Liverpool have confirmed the £8.5million pound signing of Inter Milan midfielder Phillipe Coutinho.

Liverpool have completed the £8.5million signing of talented young midfielder Phillipe Coutinho from Inter Milan.

Rumour: QPR manager Harry Redknapp is interested in signing Stoke striker Peter Crouch.  

News story: Chelsea have had a £3.5million bid for Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland accepted, however he has rejected the chance to talk to The Blues because he wants to play "frequent first-team football."

Demand: Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland is wanted by at least 6 EPL clubs including Chelsea and Stoke.

News story: Leeds striker Luciano Becchio is ready to move to Norwich after handing in a written transfer request on Saturday.  

Leeds striker Luciano Becchio could be on his way to the EPL, as he has handed in a transfer request.

LATEST: Manchester City have given striker Mario Balotelli permission to talk to AC Milan over a possible permament transfer, after the two sides agreed a £20million bid for the Italian. 

On his way: Balotelli is poised to sign a contract with Italian side AC Milan and will move for a fee of £20m.

Done DEAL: QPR have completed the signing of Chunnam Dragons defender Yun Suk-Young on a three-and-a-half-year contract deal for an undisclosed fee.

BREAKING NEWS: Everton have claimed that their £8.6million signing is OFF for FC Twente striker Leroy Fer after his medical showed a long-term knee problem.   

Rumour: Reading have made an £8million pound bid for Blackpool forward Tom Ince.

BREAKING NEWS: Anzhi Makhachkala defender Christopher Samba is in London to discuss personal terms with London club QPR after the side met the £12.5million release clause in his contract.

The Russian club's manager Guus Hiddink said this:
"He left for England yesterday. I hope that today or tomorrow we'll find out what has really happened."
"It's a shame to talk about this but he didn't even say goodbye, he didn't explain anything to us."


News story: FC Dallas winger Brek Shea is set to complete his £2.5million move to Stoke.

Rumour: Tottenham Hotspur are about to make one final attempt to sign Brazillian striker Leandro Damiao before 11pm tomorrow - when the transfer window SHUTS.

I will be back tomorrow or Friday with another blog post, where I analyse the signings of the window and the transfers on DEADLINE Day, not to mention a full 10-match midweek EPL schedule, including Arsenal vs Liverpool and Manchester United vs Southampton. 

Sunday 27 January 2013

My Thoughts - Arsenal:

Top 4 ambitions: Arsenal are currently in 6th place, and are in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.

Same old Arsenal. Arsene Wenger promised at least two signings in this January transfer window. 27 days gone, no signings.

The one's that got away:

Lewis Holtby - Tottenham

Shame: Lewis Holtby has made an agreement to join Arsenal's London rivals Tottenham at the end of the season

Yann M'Vila - Rubin Kasan

Bull: Defensive Midfielder Yann M'Vila has joined Russian club Rubin Kazan, despite Wenger's advances.

Demba Ba - Chelsea  

Demba Ba joined Chelsea for £7million, despite being the EXACT type of player Wenger needed in strike.

Klaas Jan-Huntelaar - Contract extension at FC Schalke 04

There were reports that the Dutch striker would move to England in the summer, or in this window since he said that he was "very interested, and would have joined sooner if van Persie had left before", but he has vowed to stay in Germany.

Wilfried Zaha - Manchester United

Wenger admitted that he was an admirer of the 20-year-old winger, but as soon as his price-tag rised over £10million pounds, the Frenchman allowed Sir Alex Ferguson to swoop for him. 
You never would have thought he would spend over £10million pounds on a young winger that has no experience in the EPL (look at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), but still. His loss. 
Watch him rip up EPL defences next season at United. And then it will sink in that Wenger has lost his chance to buy a wonderkid.

David Villa - Unlikely

A 31-year-old injury-prone Barcelona striker, who wants to play in England? Arsenal and Liverpool calling! A bit scared of the price-tag, and no deal done.

Mohammed Diame - Staying at West Ham

Isaac Cuenca - Too late, staying at Barcelona

Edinson Cavani - LOL.

Linked with a move to England, with Manchester City and Arsenal both interested in him. Arsene Wenger claims that he has MONEY to spend.
Surely he should sign an experienced, clinical striker because if Walcott (top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions) gets injured, they are in trouble. But no. It's Wenger. -_- 

Linked, not realistic: Napoli striker Edinson Cavani was linked with a £40m move to England - to Arsenal.

Apart from the last 2 matches against West Ham (5-1 thrashing) and a scrappy 3-2 win against Brighton yesterday, The Gunners have struggled to win in the EPL.

Last 5 matches (apart from selected):
2-1 loss to Chelsea - EPL (a)
(Scrappy) 1-0 win against Swansea - FA Cup 3rd Round Replay (h)
2-0 loss to Manchester City - EPL (h)
2-2 draw with Swansea - FA Cup 3rd Round (a)
1-1 draw with Southampton - EPL (a)

Disappointing losses against Manchester City and Chelsea, because it proves that they cannot cope on the same level as them yet. 
Despite the fact that the opposition hardly went past 4th gear in both matches.


Season so far:
Played - 23 matches
Won - 10, Drawn - 7, Lost - 6

EPL Table:
3rd: Chelsea, 45 points
4th: Tottenham Hotspur, 41 points
5th: Everton, 38 points
6th: Arsenal, 37 points

7th: Liverpool, 34 points
8th: West Brom, 34 points

The Gunners are still with in a shout of the top 4 finish, but need to ensure that they win at least 10 matches of the last 15 matches, and not lose to opposition behind them.


They struggled to beat MANY teams, yet they have a BIG match-up next month against German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League Last 16.

German giants: Bayern Munich come to The Emirates to play Arsenal in the CL Last 16 on the 19th of February.
Oh boy....looks like a 9th year without a trpohy for The Gunners.


 
I hope you liked my first post of "My Thoughts", and I vow to post at least one new post every week. 
Speak to you all next week everyone! :D

New feature!

This is a quick message to everyone who reads my blog, as I am releasing a new feature on my blog. 
It is called "My Thoughts", and it will surround anything in the EPL on my mind, whether it is the latest transfer, to how a team is performing. Anything!
The first post will be later on tonight!

FA Cup 4th Round Sunday Special LIVE Coverage:



Hello and welcome to part 2 of the 4th Round of this season's FA Cup.
Yesterday, there were giant killings as MK Dons beat QPR 4-2 and Luton beat Norwich 1-0. 
Both Manchester clubs won and progress to the 5th Round, along with Everton, Wigan, Reading and Arsenal who scored late on to win 3-2 against Brighton thanks to forward Theo Walcott.


Today's 4th Round Action:

Brentford 2 Chelsea 2 - FT

Brentford were held to a 2-2 draw at home against the FA Cup holders Chelsea. 

Spainsh striker Fernando Torres ensured a replay at Stamford Bridge after scoring a well-taken strike in the 83rd minute, despite the hosts going ahead twice during the match.

Clinical finish: Chelsea striker Fernando Torres scores for The Blues to make it 2-2 in the 83rd minute.
Close shave: Torres' goal saved Chelsea from losing to League 1 side Brentford today.

Young Brazillian midfielder Oscar made it 1-1 in the second half before Forrester scored from the penalty spot.   

Clever gem: Chelsea's young midfielder Oscar weaves past Brentford defenders to equalise in the second half.
Back in it: Oscar celebrates his equalising goal with team-mates John Terry and Gary Cahill.
Back in-front: Forrester scores from the penalty spot to give Brentford the lead again.

The hosts were unlucky not to automatically progress into the 5th Round because they worked very hard and played well but were punished for giving Chelsea a yard of space.  

Almost: Brentford celebrate their first goal, but were unlucky not to beat Chelsea at home today.

Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1 - FT

A giant killing has already happened today, as Championship side Leeds beat Spurs 2-1 at Elland Road.

Clint Dempsey scored a goal in the 58th minute to get the away side back into the match, but Luke Varney and Russell McCormack's goals for the hosts were too much for Andre Villas Boas' men to handle.

Ahead: Leeds were ahead thanks to Luke Varney's strike during the first-half.
Doubling the lead: Russell McCormack scored a wonderful strike to double the lead for Leeds and make it 2-0.
Consolation: Tottenham forward Clint Dempsey heads Spurs back into the match, but it was too late.
 
Oldham Athletic 2 Liverpool 1 - HT

What a tie at Oldham! The hosts went in-front in the 2nd minute after a cross was whipped into the box for 6ft 6in striker Matt Smith whose header was deflected off Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel into the net.

Early breakthrough: Oldham broke the deadlock thanks to striker Matt Smith's 2nd minute header.
Shock lead: Oldham celebrate their opener after 2 minutes against EPL side Liverpool.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez equalised in the 17th minute, before a mistake by Liverpool's 2nd team goalkeeper Brad Jones found Smith scoring his second of the day just before half-time.

Equaliser: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez curls a shot past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1 after 17 minutes.


LIVE: Oldham Athletic vs Liverpool:  

75: 3-1 to Oldham now, and even though Liverpool are pressing to try and get back into the match, Oldham are staying strong in defence. 
Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge are all pushing for a Liverpool goal to get back in the match, while captain Steven Gerrard has replaced Liverpool full-back Andre Wisdom.

76: Good chance by Oldham, with striker Robbie Simpson having a shot on goal just wide of the post after Sebastien Coates gave him too much space!

77: Oldham SUB:
Robbie Simpson OFF

Daniel Taylor ON

Like-for-like substitution from the hosts as they look to close out the match in the last 10+ minutes of the match.    

78: Liverpool press for another goal with Downing weaving in and out of the defence before having a shot parried out for a corner.

79: Ball is whipped into the box, and cleared away.. midfielder Joe Allen has a volley from 20 yards out... GOAL! Liverpool are back into the match after Allen's shot deflects off the defender and bounces off the post into the net!

Lucky deflection, but Liverpool deserve it...   

90: The fourth official has signalled for 6 minutes of stoppage time to be played, and the Oldham supporters are NOT happy about it. At all.  

90+3: Everyone in the ground is nervous... 3 minutes to play with a goal-kick for Oldham.

90+4: Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is down inside the box, clutching his ankle in pain, after a great lofted ball by Stewart Downing was cleared away.

90+5: Liverpool looking for space to pass the ball around into the box to make a chance, but Oldham are sticking firm... the FA Cup is about to pull off another shock result.

90+6: The referee has blown his whistle to end the match at Boundary Park! League 1 side Oldham Athletic have pulled off a shock by beating EPL Liverpool 3-2 and have moved into the 5th Round Draw - coming up LIVE.

5th Round Draw - LIVE:     

Manchester United vs Reading 
Middlesbrough vs Brentford/Chelsea
Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers
Oldham Athletic vs Everton
Huddlesfield/Leicester City vs Wigan Athletic
MK Dons vs Barnsley
Luton Town vs Millwall
Manchester City vs Leeds United      

Interesting ties for EPL sides, with United vs Reading the only all EPL-tie
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Wigan should all progress to the Last 8 with ease.   

Oldham will feel inspired to get into the Last 8, by beating the other side of Merseyside (Everton) after beating Liverpool 3-2 tonight, while Chelsea should comfortably get into the Last 8 if they beat Brentford at Stamford Bridge. 

Have a look at these Nike products:




For the review:
http://kitchenscalesale.co.uk/nike-maxim-ootball/ 
 

(MORE TO FOLLOW - AS THE DAY CONTINUES) 

Saturday 26 January 2013

FA Cup 4th Round LIVE Coverage:



Hello and welcome to my latest blog post, as the EPL takes a break for one week and the FA Cup takes centre-stage once again.

There are 12 matches being played today in the 4th Round, including Manchester City vs Stoke, Brighton vs Arsenal and Manchester United vs Fulham. 


Stoke City vs Manchester City - LIVE:

It is goal-less at The Britannia Stadium, as Stoke host Manchester City in an all EPL 4th Round tie in the early afternoon match.

City are without defensive midfielder Yaya Toure who is currently in South Africa playing in the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, and even though it is 0-0 at half-time, they have been playing well but just need a goal to show for it. 


Transfer News Bulletin:

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Toulouse defensive midfielder Moussa Sissoko on an undisclosed fee rumoured to be around £2.5million pounds. 


Promising: Moussa Sissoko has completed his move to the EPL, and has signed for Newcastle. 

West Brom have turned down a transfer request from Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie, who QPR are interested in signing. 


LIVE Commentary:

13:49: Manchester City players are returning to the pitch now, getting ready for the second half at Stoke. 

13:50: The second half has just started at The Britannia, where it is 0-0 at the moment but it does not look as though it will stay like that for long...

46: Early controversy in this second half, as Manchester City defensive midfielder Javi Garcia goes into a challenge with his studs up and slides in dangerously.

No card given by referee Howard Webb, even though it was a dangerous tackle and Vincent Kompany was sent off for something similar against Arsenal and Manchester United... 
53: Stoke full-back Ryan Shotton has been given a yellow card after colliding with Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and tackling him strongly
.
Unlucky by the youngster, he was stuck in but not really worth of a yellow card.  

55: Physical first ten minutes of the second half, with City pressing for the opening goal despite Stoke holding firm. Lots of tackles and fouls though. 

57: A loose ball inside the Stoke 16-yard box falls to Manchester City full-back Kolarov, but he mis-kicks the ball and it goes well wide, and over the bar into the stands.

Should really be shooting ON target... especially as it is 0-0.

59: A quick Manchester City counter attack sees Spanish playmaker David Silva release a lovely through ball to Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko who runs down the wing looking for a City player in the box. 

He sees the run of full-back Kolarov and plays the ball into the box, but Kolarov's attempt is wide of the goal as he fails to connect with the ball properly. 

60: Stoke supporters making a lot of noise now... they feel that their side should be given a lot more free-kicks.

62: Manchester City SUB:
Aleksandar Kolarov OFF
Sergio Aguero ON

Aguero is being played for the last 30 minutes after recovering from a hamstring injury that he suffered against Stoke on New Year's Day. 
Manager Roberto Mancini wants to win this match today, and is desperate not to play a replay, so another striker could be the difference. 

4-2-4 formation being adopted now, with Silva, Aguero, Tevez and Dzeko all in attacking positions. 

66: Stoke City SUB:
Michael Kightly OFF
Cameron Jerome ON

70: Stoke look more lively with Jerome on the pitch, but it is still 0-0 with 20 minutes to play.. 

72:
Stoke City SUB:
Kenwyne Jones OFF
Andy Wilkinson OFF
Peter Crouch ON
Dean Whitehead ON

Double substitution for Tony Pulis, with Crouch moving ahead of Jerome in a 4-5-1 formation as they look to see out the rest of the match with at LEAST a replay.

74: Edin Dzeko cuts inside from the wing, before having a curled shot towards goal... JUST WIDE!!
Close by the Bosnian, and the shot just moved past the post. Corner as it took a deflection along the way.. 

75: Manchester City midfielder James Milner whips a lofted ball deep into the 16-yard box... Dzeko's header towards goal is cleared by Shawcross to safety. 
The danger is averted. For now. 

76: City continue to put pressure on Stoke, with a nice through ball by Silva finds Aguero who unleashes a swerving drive on the edge of the area. 
The ball takes a deflection off Stoke defensive midfielder Dean Whitehead, and it swerves into the side netting for a City corner. 

77: The corner is about to be taken, before Howard Webb stops play after a small shirt-pulling tussle between Dzeko and Shawcross inside the box.

He warns both of them to stop, before Silva's cross into the box is cleared away to safety and Stoke counter attack quickly. The attack is broken down by James Milner who commits a foul. 

83: Cameras show Manchester City's young defensive midfielder  Jack Rodwell is recieving instructions from assistant coach David Platt as he is getting ready to come on for Tevez.

84: GOAL! The deadlock has been broken after 84 minutes of open play! 

Argentinian full-back Pablo Zabaleta finishes off a wonderful piece of attacking play by City with an outside-of-the-boot shot past Thomas Sorensen into the net.


Great goal: Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta scores the opener in the 84th minute.
Rather late than never: Zabaleta celebrates his goal against Stoke City with James Milner. 

85: Manchester City SUB:
Carlos Tevez OFF

Jack Rodwell ON

86: FACT: If it stays like this, City will be unbeaten against Stoke in their last 8 matches (all competitions).  

90: The fourth official has signalled for 5 minutes of stoppage time to be added on at The Britannia Stadium. 

90+2: City are trying to kill time now, with the 1-0 lead. Silva and Milner exchanging quick passes several passes despite the Stoke boos, because they know that they are 3 minutes away from departing the competition. 

90+4: Manchester City still running down the clock, with Aguero holding the ball near the corner flag and goalkeeper Pantilimon taking his time with the goal-kick.

90+5: The referee Howard Webb has blown his whistle to end the match at The Britannia Stadium.

Full-back Pablo Zabaleta's 85th minute strike has ensured Manchester City's progression into the 5th Round of the FA Cup, and the draw will be tomorrow at 6pm.

They have become the 2nd team to qualify for the Last 16, along with Millwall who beat Aston Villa 2-1 at home yesterday night.

FA Cup 4th Round 3pm Matches (EPL teams only): 

Brighton vs Arsenal:

Brighton: Ankergren, Calderon, El-Abd, Bridge, Greer, David Lopez, Bridcutt, Hammond, Barnes, Ulloa, Buckley. 

Subs: Kuszczak, Orlandi, Mackail-Smith, Vicente, Dicker, Painter, LuaLua. 

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Koscielny, Diaby, Rosicky, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Podolski.

Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla, Arshavin, Gibbs.

Interesting Arsenal side here... Ramsey, Diaby and Rosicky play in a three-man midfield, while Oxlade-Chamberlain partners Giroud and Podolski in attack.
4-3-3 formation being used with Walcott, Wilshere and Cazorla all on the bench being rested by Arsene Wenger for their match in midweek, against Liverpool.

The Gunners will be hoping that they do not suffer from the same fate as Newcastle did in the 3rd Round, as this is probably their only chance of silverware this season.

Reading vs Sheffield United: 

Reading: Federici, Kelly, Mariappa, Morrison, Shorey, McCleary, Leigertwood, Karacan, Robson-Kanu, Hunt, Le Fondre.

Subs: Taylor, Pearce, McAnuff, Kebe, Church, Guthrie, Cummings.

Sheffield United: Long, Westlake, Higginbotham, Maguire, McMahon, Blackman, McDonald, Doyle, Murphy, Porter, Kitson.

Subs: Coyne, Flynn, Collins, Cresswell, Ironside, Whitehouse, De Girolamo.

Macclesfield vs Wigan Athletic:

Macclesfield: Anyon, Jackson, Nathaniel Brown, Audel, Braham-Barrett, Mackreth, Murtagh, Wedgbury, Kissock, Fairhurst, Barnes-Homer. 

Subs: Andrew Mills, Morgan-Smith, Winn, Diagne, Henry, McDonald, Martin.

Wigan: Robles, Stam, Figueroa, Golobart, Mustoe, Espinoza, Fyvie, Dicko, Gomez, McManaman, Henriquez.

Subs: Al Habsi, Jones, Maloney, McArthur, Lopez, Redmond, Campabadal.

Norwich City vs Luton:

Norwich: Rudd, Martin, Barnett, Ryan Bennett, Garrido, Elliott Bennett, Johnson, Howson, Surman, Jackson, Kane.
Subs: Bunn, Whittaker, Turner, Holt, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Tettey.

Luton: Tyler, Henry, Kovacs, Rowe-Turner, Taylor, Lawless, Mendy, Smith, Howells, Shaw, Gray.
Subs: Brill, Rendell, Fleetwood, Watkins, O'Donnell, Dance, Robinson.

QPR v MK Dons:

QPR: Green, Da Silva, Ben Haim, Ferdinand, Traore, Mackie, Faurlin, Granero, Park, Bothroyd, Campbell. 

Subs: Murphy, Derry, Hill, Onuoha, Ephraim, Zamora, M'bia.

Milton Keynes Dons: Martin, Otsemobor, MacKenzie, Kay, Lewington, Williams, Potter, Chicksen, Smith, Bowditch, Lowe. 

Subs: Doumbe, Flanagan, Harley, Ali, Lines, Rasulo, Ismail.

Bolton vs Everton:

Bolton: Lonergan, Ricketts, Knight, Ream, Alonso, Spearing, Vela, Lee, Pratley, Eagles, Sordell.
Subs: Bogdan, Mears, Ngog, Kevin Davies, Afobe, Holden, Craig Davies.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic, Anichebe.

Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Naismith, Gueye, Vellios, Duffy.

15:00: The 3pm kick-off's have all started, along with Ivory Coast vs Tunisia in the African Cup Of Nations (that I will be keeping an eye on). 

15:03:
Loftus Road,
QPR vs MK Dons:

First goal of the 3pm kick-off's comes at Loftus Road - and already there is a shock on the cards. 
MK Dons are leading 1-0 against the EPL strugglers thanks to an own goal from former Arsenal full-back Armand Traore. 

15:06 - GOAL UPDATE:

Macclesfield 0 Wigan 1
Striker Jordi Gomez has broken the deadlock in the 6th minute for the away side from the penalty spot. 

Early lead: Wigan striker Jordi Gomez scores from the penalty spot to give Wigan a 1-0 lead. 

15:07 - GOAL UPDATE:

Reading 1 Sheffield United 0 - Defender Noel Hunt's run past the Sheffield United defence has seen him awarded with a goal. 1-0.


Royal reward: Reading defender Noel Hunt celebrates his goal to break the deadlock.

15:18:
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has broken the deadlock with a great finish after cutting inside the defenders before unleashing a strike from just outside the box. 


Ahead - not for long: Striker Olivier Giroud curls a shot into the top corner to make it 1-0. 

15:20:
The Reebok Stadium,
Bolton vs Everton:

The Toffees have given manager David Moyes a treat on his 500th match in charge, with South African midfielder Steven Pienaar scoring in the 20th minute away from home. 1-0.

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring the opening goal. 

15:22:
Royal Bafokeng Stadium,
Ivory Coast vs Tunisia:

Ivory Coast have broken the deadlock after 22 minutes of solid pressing. 

Arsenal forward Gervinho has scored his 2nd goal of the tournament with a fierce rebound after Anzhi striker Lacina Traore's shot was well saved by Tunisia goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia. 

15:27:
The Reebok Stadium,
Bolton vs Everton:

Bolton have equalised at home against Everton, thanks to striker Marvin Sordell who scores his 7th FA Cup goal in 7 matches after a great pass by midfielder Darren Pratley.

Equaliser: Bolton striker Marvin Sordell scores to make it 1-1 in the 27th minute at The Reebok.
Promising young talent: Sordell celebrates his equaliser - 7th goal in 7 matches in the FA Cup.

15:33:
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

Arsenal's defensive problems are starting to show again... Ashley Barnes has equalised for the hosts with a header from David Lopez's corner. 

Back in it: Ashley Barnes celebrates his header to equalise against Arsenal in the 33rd minute.

15:39:
Loftus Road,
QPR vs MK Dons:

The shock of the day is at Loftus Road... it is now 2-0 to MK Dons against the hosts, with Ryan Lowe doubling the LEAGUE ONE side's advantage! 

Shock lead: League 1 side MK Dons celebrate Ryan Lowe's goal at Loftus Road. 

15:42 - GOAL UPDATE:

Reading 2 Sheffield United 0

Mikele Leigertwood has doubled the lead for the hosts as they look to progress into the Last 16.

15:50: 

HALF-TIME SCORES:

Brighton 1 Arsenal 1 
Bolton 1 Everton 1
QPR 0 MK Dons 2
Reading 2 Sheffield United 0
Norwich 0 Luton 0
Maccesfield Town 0 Wigan 1
AFCON: Ivory Coast 1 Tunisia 1

16:03: The second halves have all started now.. 

16:08:
Loftus Road,
QPR vs MK Dons:

The shock of the FA Cup 4th Round has almost certainly been confirmed. After Brighton beat Newcastle in the 3rd Round, MK Dons are now comfortably 3-0 up away from home against QPR.

Ryan Harley has scored for the away side, and now QPR have to "concentrate on the league" after this almost certain defeat to League 1 opposition. 

16:09:
The Madejski Stadium,
Reading vs Sheffield United:

Noel Hunt has scored his 2nd of the match to give Reading a comfortable 3-0 lead over Sheffield United at home. 

AS IT STANDS:
Qualified teams - Millwall, Manchester City, Reading, MK Dons, Wigan, Blackburn Rovers. 

16:13 - GOAL UPDATE:
Oh.my.goodness.
This is incredible! 

Poor QPR defending sees Dean Bowditch score to make it 4-0, while Gareth McCleary makes it 4-0 to Reading against Sheffield United.

16:16:
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

French striker Olivier Giroud has scored his 2nd of the day to put The Gunners back in-front away from home against Brighton at The Amex, with a left-foot strike from the near post beating goalkeeper Casper Ankergren.

16:19:
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

Striker Jose Ulloa has equalised for Brighton in the 63rd minute, with a diving header which beat Szczesny and ended up in the back of the net! Back and forth match-up, and it is 2-2 now. 

Back and forth: Jose Ulloa gets Brighton back into the match - AGAIN to make it 2-2. 

16:29: 
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

Arsene Wenger has put on two of his best players in midfielder Jack Wilshere and pacy forward Theo Walcott for the last 20 minutes of the match. Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming off. 

16:38:
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

Arsenal are pressing Brighton for the 3rd goal, because they do not want to play a replay.

16:39 - GOAL UPDATE:
Norwich City 0 Luton 1

Non-league Luton are 10 minutes away from eliminating an EPL side and progressing into the Last 16 after Scott Rendell converted JJ O'Donnell's low cross into the net. 1-0 to the away side. 

16:40: 
Loftus Road,
QPR vs MK Dons:

QPR soften the blow slightly, with striker Jay Bothroyd converting a Bobby Zamora cross into the net. 4-1. 

16:45:
The Amex Stadium,
Brighton vs Arsenal:

GOAL! Super sub Theo Walcott has given The Gunners the lead once again with 4 minutes to play. 
His deflected strike beat the goalkeeper and hit the back of the net.  

Super sub: Theo Walcott celebrates his 86th minute winner for Arsenal against Brighton. 

16:48:
The Reebok Stadium,
Bolton vs Everton:

Defender Johnny Heitinga has given Everton a late goal to make it 2-1 to the away side...

16:50 - GOAL UPDATE:
Loanee full-back Fabio Da Silva has scored a consolation goal to make it 4-2 to MK Dons against QPR.

16:51:

Royal Bafokeng Stadium,
Ivory Coast vs Tunisia:

Manchester City defensive midfielder Yaya Toure has doubled Ivory Coast's lead, and it is now 2-0 with a minute plus stoppage time remaining. 

Beat the defenders with blistering pace before unleashing a piledriver shot, giving the goalkeeper no chance of saving it. 

16:53:

Royal Bafokeng Stadium,
Ivory Coast vs Tunisia:

Didier Ya Konan has rubbed salt into Tunisia's wounds, coming off the bench to score Ivory Coast's 3rd goal of the afternoon within seconds, with a smart, low finish from 18 yards out. 



FULL-TIME SCORES:

Brighton 2 Arsenal 3
QPR 2 MK Dons 4
Bolton 1 Everton 2
Norwich City 0 Luton 1
Reading 4 Sheffield United 0
Maccesfield Town 0 Wigan Athletic 1

African Cup Of Nations - Ivory Coast 3 Tunisia 0

Qualified Teams for the Last 16:

Millwall, Manchester City, Everton, Arsenal, MK Dons, Luton, Reading, Blackburn Rovers, Barnsley, Middlesborough, Wigan.

Team Line-Ups:

Manchester United vs Fulham:

Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Jones, Smalling, Evra, Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Hernandez.

Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Valencia, Welbeck, van Persie, Scholes, Kagawa.

vam Persie, Welbeck and Kagawa among the subs on the United bench as the three attacking minded players are given a rest.
Rooney and Hernandez start in attack, with Giggs and Nani playing as the two wingers in a 4-4-2 formation for Sir Alex Ferguson. 
It is not a weak side by any stretch of the imagination for United as they look to progress to the Last 16. 

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Kacaniklic, Sidwell, Baird, Duff, Ruiz, Berbatov.

Subs: Etheridge, Senderos, Petric, Karagounis, Briggs, Rodallega, Dejagah.

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov starts against his old club today in the all-EPL tie. He is partnered alongside Bryan Ruiz and Alex Kacaniklic while Sidwell, Baird and Duff sit behind them in defensive midfield.

I will be back tomorrow for the 3 other matches in the FA Cup 4th Round;

Brentford vs Chelsea - LIVE at 12:00pm
Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur - LIVE at 14:00pm
Oldham Athletic vs Liverpool - LIVE at 16:00pm

Thank you for reading my latest blog post, and I will speak to you all tomorrow afternoon..