Football Corner

Here is a full round-up of this weekends FA Cup 5th round ties which saw only Premiership sides progress in the tournament. The best of the matches came at the Valley were Premiership side Charlton hosted an in-form League 1 side Brentford. Charlton went ahead early through there top goalscorer Darren Bent and they never looked backed from there because they went on to score two more goals in the shape of Jay Boythroyd and Bryan Hughes. Brentford did grab a consalation goal late on from Isiah Rankin but it was to little to late.

The worst match of Saturday afternoon saw a bore 0-0 draw between Bolton and West Ham and the two sides will now play a replay at Upton Park in two weeks time. Bolton probably overall had the best chances of the game but failed to take them. Another boring match on Saturday was the tie that looked the most glamorous, Liverpool against Manchester United at Anfield but it failed to live up to expectation and it was won by a Peter Crouch goal early during the first half. The game will be remembered mainly by the whole Alan Smith injury and we all wish him well!

The final game on Saturday was Newcastle against Southampton at St. James' Park. The game was decided only by one goal which came in the shape of out of sorts English man Kieron Dyer. Near the end of the game Southampton's inexperienced goalkeeper was stretchered off with a jarred knee and The Saints had already used all of their subs so substitue Dexter Blackstock went in and did very well, but Southampton just couldn't get that all important equaliser and they crash out in the fifth round.

Sunday's action was very tasty indeed with some lovely goals. Preston took on an in form Middlesbrough side for a place in the next round but Premiership experience was shown during the game by Boro. Yakubu bagged two lovely goals to ensure Steve McClaren's men went on into the next round. The worst game of the day was seen at the Brittania stadium where Stoke City tried to beat out of form Birmingham to qualify for the 6th round but they failed to do that. Birmingham running out 1-0 winners thank to a goal from Finnish striker Mikeal Forrsell.

Chelsea were hoping to avoid a cup upset when they entertained in form League 1 side Colchester United. Colchester started off the better and were rewarded half way throught the first half when Garcia placed a lovely ball into the box and the ball was turned in by Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho. But Chelsea came storming back and got an equaliser ten minutes later through Paulo Ferriera. Chelsea sealed the win with two late goals from substitue Joe Cole.

Aston Villa entertained Man City in the most awkward to predict 5th round matches. City started the better and only for a bad touch by former Villa man Darius Vassell they would of been in front. But City didn't take there chances and Villa counter attacked and scored through former Liverpool man Milan Baros. It looked as though that's the way it would finish but in virtually the last touch of the game, City's 17 year old defender Micah Richards grabbed an equaliser from a lovely corner from Joey Barton. The two sides will now play a replay in two weeks.
Here is the draw for the sixed round of the FA Cup :

Charlton v Middlesbrough (I predict: draw)

Aston Villa or Manchester City v Bolton or West Ham (Don't know yet)

Chelsea v Newcastle United (I predict: Chelsea 2-3 Newcastle)

Birmingham v Liverpool (I predict: Birmingham 1-2 Liverpool)