The Mid-week Review

By Danny Wright


FA Cup replay action was on offer week as footballing fare, with cash-strapped Luton Town traveling to Liverpool for a second stab at upstaging their Premiership opponents. However, there was to be no cup fairytale as a patched up side took the field for a 5-0 beating, captain for the night Jamie Carragher marking his 500th Liverpool appearance with a clean sheet. With veteran midfielder Don Hutchinson filling in at centre back, the Hatters held firm for 44 minutes only for Ryan Babel to rattle home a powerful drive. It was all Liverpool in the second half and Steven Gerrard scored his first of three after 51 minutes with a close range header, meanwhile Sammi Hyypia added another and Gerrard side-footed home his second. Luton look bewildered and they were to be further punished by Gerrard's clinical finish, the Reds booking a fourth round tie with Havant & Waterlooville, who defeated Swansea 4-2 at West Leigh Park in a historic game for the non-leaguers.

Luton's preparation for the clash was marred by manager Kevin Blackwell's resignation, who is still fuming at the sale of players behind his back. The former Leeds man accused the owners of having "the morals of a back alley cat" and Blackwell has set a provisional date of February 9th for his departure. Things have looked up slightly though for the London club, a consortium lead by television presenter Nick Owen agreeing to buy the relegation-threatened club. It was also revealed today League One outfit Bournemouth are in finical peril, reports on the club officials website saying they intend to appoint administrators to help lift the burden of a £4m dent. Should the Cherries go into administration a 10 point penalty deduction would be incurred.

On a more positive note there was good news for League Two side Bury on Tuesday night, who felled Championship side Norwich 2-1 at Gigg Lane. A defensive mix up allowed journeyman defender Ben Futcher to side-foot home, and talisman Andy Bishop was on hand to double the advantage with a smart finish. Warhorse Dion Dublin reduced the arrears for the Canaries, and fellow veteran Gary Doherty couldn't connect to a teasing cross, as the Shakers held on for a historic win. They now travel to Southampton in the Fourth Round.

Newcastle welcomed new manager Kevin Keegan with a resounding 4-1 over Stoke at Saint James Park. Having stuttered against Tony Pulis' Championship side in the first leg, Newcastle responded in the perfect fashion, Michael Owen opening the scoring from close range. Claudio Cacapa headed home for 2-0 and James Milner and Damien Duff completed the rout. Liam Lawerence was on the score sheet for the Potters, his 20-yard-strike coming after Emre's dismissal for a lunge on visiting skipper John Eustace.

Tottenham defeated Reading at the Madejski on Tuesday night, Robbie Keane's solitary goal enough to see off an under strength Royals side. The decisive goal came after 15 minutes, Keane stabbing home Younes Kaboul's rebounded effort. Spurs could have added to their lead, by were twice denied by the acrobatics of stand-in keeper Adam Federici. In the other all Premiership tie, Manchester City beat West Ham thanks to Elano's header 18 minutes from time.

West Brom and Charlton played out an entertaining replay which was decided on penalty, the hosts progressing 4-3 from the spot after a 2-2 draw in normal time. The Baggies had raced into a two goal lead from Roman Bednar and James Morrison but Darren Ambrose and Chris Dickson took the game to extra time. Dean Kiely thwarted Zheng Zi's effort, and Bednar won the tie with his coolly-taken effort.

Three of Tuesday's ties fell foul to the weather, but League One rivals Millwall were able to defeat Walsall 2-1 at the New Den, Ben May and Gary Alexander doing enough to see off the Saddlers. An individual effort from Simon Johnson saw off Tranmere for Hereford, 1-0 the score at Edgar Street.


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