Post Match Reactions - FA CUP Round 1

[JB@Norwich]

Missing
none

Errors
ast
Error: Player J_Lascelles is listed twice in the teamsheet

cov
Error: Player E_Wright wasn't found in the roster

Ful
Error: The PK taker, D_Ings wasn't listed in the teamsheet

hud
Error: Player L_Foster is listed twice in the teamsheet

sou
Error: Player E_FernandezH_Cartwright wasn't found in the roster


wba
Error: Player N_Milkenovic wasn't found in the roster


Whu
Error: The PK taker, AGG wasn't listed in the teamsheet

[Hoa@Forest]

Manchester City survive FA Cup scare at Forest

Nottingham Forest's FA Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end at the City Ground on Wednesday evening, as they suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. Callum Hudson-Odoi's equaliser had given Forest hope of causing an upset, but a late error from goalkeeper G_Kobel gifted City the winner.

Forest started brightly, with B_Aguilera causing problems for the City defence. The young striker nearly opened the scoring in the 8th minute, only to be denied by a last-ditch challenge from D_Rensch, who was lucky to escape with just a yellow card.

City gradually grew into the game, with H_Kane and D_Vlahovic both testing G_Kobel. However, Forest continued to threaten on the counter, and M_Gibbs_White was inches away from giving them the lead when his shot hit the woodwork in the 16th minute.

The game took a dramatic turn moments later when D_Rensch, already on a booking, was sent off for a second yellow card offense. Despite their numerical disadvantage, City finished the half strongly, with P_Foden going close just before the break.

Forest came out firing in the second half, with O_Edouard and C_Hudson_Odoi both introduced from the bench. However, it was City who struck first, with J_Bellingham volleying home superbly in the 69th minute.

Forest refused to lie down, and they were level just a minute later. E_Kujovic's pinpoint cross found C_Hudson_Odoi, who made no mistake with a clinical finish.

With the game in the balance, both sides pushed for a winner. O_Edouard and B_Aguilera both had chances for Forest, while H_Kane and J_Bellingham went close for City.

Just as it seemed the game was heading for extra time, disaster struck for Forest. G_Kobel, who had been solid throughout, spilled a routine cross from Marquinhos, allowing D_Vlahovic to pounce and snatch a dramatic winner for City in the 90th minute.

It was a cruel end to a thrilling cup tie for Forest, who had certainly matched their illustrious Premiership-winning opponents for large periods.

Player Ratings:

Nottingham Forest:

G_Kobel (GK) - 6: Made several good saves but will be haunted by his late error.
G_Montiel (DF) - 7: Solid defensively and got forward well. Unlucky not to score.
S_Aurier (DF) - 6: Booked for a late challenge. Steady performance otherwise.
N_Williams (DF) - 7: Dealt well with City's attacking threat. Made a crucial tackle late on.
J_Worrall (DF) - 6: Battled hard against City's star-studded attack.
A_Omobamidele (DF) - 7: Made several crucial interceptions before being substituted.
Danilo (MF) - 7: Broke up play effectively in midfield. Forced off with injury.
H_Toffolo (DM) - 6: Booked for a clumsy challenge. Worked hard before being replaced.
N_Dominguez (MF) - 7: Tenacious in midfield. Made a vital tackle to deny L_Magnino.
M_Gibbs_White (AM) - 7: Lively in the first half. Unlucky to hit the woodwork.
B_Aguilera (AM) - 7: Forest's biggest threat. Caused problems with his pace and trickery.

Subs:
E_Kujovic (DM) - 7: Set up the equaliser with a pinpoint cross.
O_Edouard (FW) - 5: Missed a couple of good chances after coming on.
C_Hudson_Odoi (FW) - 7: Made an instant impact with a well-taken goal.

Manchester City:

Ederson (GK) - 7: Made a couple of important saves. Not seriously troubled for much of the game.
Ruben_Dias (DF) - 7: Solid at the back. Booked for a late challenge on G_Montiel.
J_Stones (DF) - 6: Substituted early in the second half. Steady in the first half.
Marquinhos (DF) - 8: Man of the Match. Set up the winner and was excellent defensively.
D_Rensch (DF) - 1: Sent off after just 16 minutes for two bookable offenses. A very poor performance.
N_Rovella (DF) - 6: Replaced by N_Goodman in the second half. Tidy in possession.
B_Silva (MF) - 7: Neat and tidy in midfield. Always looking to create.
J_Bellingham (MF) - 8: Scored a superb volley. Worked tirelessly in midfield.
P_Foden (AM) - 7: Always a threat with his skill and vision. Went close in the first half.
H_Kane (FW) - 6: Led the line well but missed a couple of chances. Kept Forest's defence busy.
D_Vlahovic (FW) - 7: Snatched the winner. A constant menace to the Forest defense.

Subs:
L_Magnino (DF) - 6: Slotted in well after coming on for J_Stones.
N_Goodman (FW) - 6: Added energy up front after replacing N_Rovella.

Post-Match Reaction:

"I'm incredibly proud of the players today. To go toe-to-toe with a team of Manchester City's quality shows the character and spirit we have in this group. Yes, they were down to 10 men for most of the game but it was 10 vs 10 in the period late on."

"We're obviously devastated to lose in the manner we did. G_Kobel has been excellent for us since signing from Dortmund in the bonanza and he'll bounce back from that error. We win as a team and lose as a team."

"There are so many positives to take from this performance. I felt that B_Aguilera was unplayable at times, and I thought C_Hudson_Odoi made a real impact off the bench. We'll dust ourselves down and go again in the league on Saturday."

"Credit to Manchester City, they showed their quality and experience to find a way to win. But I think we've shown today that we can compete with the best teams in the country. This is just the start for us."

[Tony@Blackburn]

Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Huddersfield Town

We started the game early again and were 1 up inside the first 10 minutes, however we found ourselves pushed back and the away side got themselves an equaliser, which seemed to kick us back in to gear and we pushed on from there and fired in two more goals whilst not letting in any more.
Overall it was a very good display from us and we are we please with the win and advancing to the next round whilst also getting some valuable minutes to a couple of players in the lower ranks of our squad.
Good to see a goal from our newest youngster also.

Good luck with your season Guillaume

[Freddie]

Brum 1-2 Saints

We gave superior opposition a real run for their money and can be proud of our performance. On another day we would have gone through. Headley opened his Birmingham goal tally with a well taken effort and despite the fact we conceded the lead I’m delighted with the efforts of the team. Our focus returns to the league this Friday.
Played Jamie.

[Neil@Fiorentina]

Luton 2-3 Barnsley

Exciting game for the fans, but ultimately the shock win was not to be.
Barnsley took the early lead, but we fought back through a goal from teenage striker Washington to take the game to extra time.
The win looked possible when we took the lead, but Barnsley hit back with two to break the fans hearts.
To be honest we wouldn't have fancied penalties given the 25v22 keeper mismatch.
The lads can be proud though, and some decent abs and uprates
gg dude

[Sanchez@Cardiff]

Newcastle United 3 - 2 Cardiff City

In a thrilling encounter at St. James' Park, Cardiff City narrowly missed out on advancing in the FA Cup, falling 3-2 to Newcastle United. Cardiff City started strong, with Tom Lockyer finding the net in the 20th minute, followed by Jannik Vestergaard doubling the lead just five minutes later. However, Newcastle quickly responded with goals from Sergio Canales in the 28th minute and Raul De Tomas leveling the match at 2-2 by the 35th minute.

The second half saw both teams pushing for the win, but it was Newcastle who clinched the victory with Nuno Santos scoring the decisive goal in the 58th minute. Despite Cardiff's best efforts, including several key attempts on goal by Nathan Osborne and Josip Brekalo, they couldn't find the equaliser.

Nathan Osborne was a standout for Cardiff, showcasing his skill and determination throughout the match. Cardiff had a slight edge in possession with 52% but were ultimately outdone by Newcastle's more accurate finishing. The match statistics highlight a closely contested game, with Cardiff having 13 attempts on goal to Newcastle's 19

[Darren]

Arsenal 2 - 0 Bristol City

Main outlook in this one was to avoid a potential banana skin after being drawn against City in League One and we did that with a solid win thanks to goals from Gomez and a first for the club from summer signing Asprilla who gets his account off the mark for us so well pleased to see that.

No doubt that the score should have been more really with us dominating the stats but the five at the back kept that score to just the two goals which we will happily take and look forward to the round two draw.

A cup run would be very good for the club this season so fingers crossed the second round draw is kind to us.

Played mate.

[Livi@Liverpool]

Liverpool 1 Brighton 0

Tough fixture as we knew it would be given the amount of 20/21 raters in the Brighton side. Added to that they had tactical bonus throughout and it's no surprise we found it difficult with only a 2nd half Rashford penalty separating the sides.

Always all about getting through in the cup and despite our struggles I think we did just about enough to merit it.

We're still trying to find our identity as a team and I know it's going to take time to do that

Unlucky Brighton.

[Steve@Chelsea]

Reading 2 - 8 Chelsea

Played an open game verses a third tier team and got rewarded with a big win despite Reading playing a solid 541P. ASM grabbed a hat trick, two from Odegaard and one each for Chiesa, Mount, and Sanches. The majority of the teams who should win, did win in this cup so plenty of spicey ties available to be drawn in round 2. Milwall away anyone?

[Tim@Leeds]

Leeds United 2-1 West Ham

This was a very tricky draw for the first round and provided a real test for us. West Ham finished above us last season with our poor showing and I was fearful that we might go out early.
We ended up dominating the game and really played better than the score line suggests. We were not quite as clinical as we were in the opening day of the league season but we did get the job done. This competition has always evaded me, so I am hoping for kind draws and a bit of luck to give us the best possible chance of getting our hands on the FA cup. Everything has to fall in to place and the stars need to align. It’s a tough ask but make no mistake we would love to win this and will be going all out to do so.
Good performance from us today and we go marching on together to round two.

played Todd.

[Gary@Millwall]

Rotherham United 1 Millwall 3

A big thank you to Steve O who smashed the Fanny out of the League 1 side.

I could not be happier as we are in the hat for the 2nd round draw and an additional £2.5m in gate money. Also on track for my prophecy of drawing those West London slags Chelsea in round 3.