League Cup Final:
Manchester City 2-2 Birmingham City FT (Man City win 6-5 on pens)
Barclays Premier League:
Chelsea 3-1 Wigan Athletic FT
QPR 1-2 Wolves FT
Newcastle United 2-1 West Ham United FT
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United FT
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15:30 Afternoon folks, we have a big one for you today. The League cup final, as Manchester City look to beat defending holders Birmingham City at Wembley. In the league the big one is from Anfield as Liverpool take on fierce rivals Manchester United. Wolves look to bounce back against QPR, Chelsea will hope to extend their lead at the top whilst Newcastle face a West Ham side desperate for points.
15:35 TEAM NEWS FROM WEMBLEY STADIUM
The first chance to win a trophy this year and Man City make changes to their line up after resting players last weekend, Ramos, Pique and Abidal return to the defence whilst Diarra comes in in midfield: Cassilas; Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Abidal; L.Diarra, Cambiasso; Nani, Ozil, Di Maria; Benzema. Birmingham City said goodbye to Gareth Bale in midweek with Kaka coming into replace him, Schmelzer makes his debut at LB: Szczesny; Lahm, Pepe, Vermealen, Evra; Wilshere, Martinez; Gotze, Kaka, Mata; Van Persie.
15:40 TEAM NEWS FROM ANFIELD
After their great win last weekend Liverpool make 3 changes, Ivanovic is back in at CB whilst Jovetic replaces Moutinho and Azpilicueta the injured Isla: Mandanda; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Benatia, David Luiz; Essien, Ramires; Jovetic, Pastore, Lavezzi; Balotelli. Man Utd come off the back of a draw with Arsenal replacing Sandro and Costa with Banega and Schurrle: Buffon; Abate, Kaboul, Evans, Gibbs; Lucas Leiva, Banega; Robinho, Gerrard, Schurrle; Tevez.
15:45 TEAM NEWS FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE
Last weekend turned out to be perfect for Chelsea and they can go 3 points clear in the title race if they win here, they play in a 4-2-3-1: Neuer; Sagna, Kompany, Terry, Marcelo; Yaya Toure, Matip; Park, Vaart, Bale; Aguero. Wigan Athletic continue to get back to somewhere like their best and they continue in a 4-3-3: Andujar; Anyukov, Vlaar, Luisao, Behrami; M.Diarra, Schaar, Stankovic; Miralles, N'Doye, Zarate.
15:50 TEAM NEWS FROM LOFTUS ROAD
Mid table Queens Park Rangers will be looking to kick Wolves while they are down this week and they continue in their 4-4-1-1: Howard; Otamendi, Skrtel, Samba, Capdevilla; Pienaar, Tiote, Marquez, Drenthe; Drenthe; Huntelaar. Wolves will be looking to bounce back and in come Alex Song, Coleman and Dzegoev with Biglia, Maicon and Nasri dropping out: Cesar; Coleman, Alex, Chiellini, Baines; Sahin, Song; Walcott, Dzegoev, Valbeuna; Forlan.
15:55 TEAM NEWS FROM THE SPORTS DIRECT ARENA
After a draw that left Robin fuming, Newcastle bring in Wijnaldum to go more attacking, whilst Benaglio makes his debut in a 4-3-3: Benaglio; Boateng, Hummels, Koscielny, Schenikov; Jones, Modric, Wijnaldum; Vucinic, Llorente, Di Natale. Caretake boss Fan has Didier Drogba back this week as West Ham look to get points: Stekelenburg; Uchida, Dann, Chivu, Ansaldi; Cabaye, Kallstrom; Krasic, Ilicic, Draxler; Drogba.
15:58 So just a few minutes away from kick off, we have just heard from the managers at Wembley, Jet is looking to show why his side are considered favourites today and wants to play a fluid style but DC beleives his team can stop them from playing and use their pace to break them down.
16:00 Underway at Wembley and in the league games too.
16:02 Its a great atmosphere at Wembley and theres a first chance, Wilshere fiding Gotze but his angled shot flew well wide, early intent is there though from Birmingham.
16:04 And in the league its a fiesty start at QPR, Tiote going in strongly on Valbuena who repays that challenge moments later, the last thing Wolves want is to play another game with 10 men. At Anfield the away team are putting on the early pressure but Liverpool are defending compactly, no space anywhere.
16:06 In the other two games its Newcastle and Chelsea on top. Newcastle pourring on the pressure with West Ham unable to break forward, Vucinic has just shot over. Chelsea playing it around nicely but as of yet no real chances despite all the possession.
16:08 GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Wolves
Superb start for the away team and they have a confidence boosting lead. Valbeuna finds Baines outside him andhe breaks into the area before setting it back for Alain Dzegoev to smash into the bottom corner.
16:09 Best chance of the game at Wembley and its gone Man City's way. Ozil plays a great ball out to nani who crosses in superbly for Benzema to get his head to and Szczesny pulls of a great save to tip it away for a corner which is then cleared, Birmingham lucky to still be level. First chance for Liverpool too at Anfield, Ramires coming forward finding Luiz who plays in Pastore but under pressure from Evans he can only fire into the side netting.
16:12 Chance for West Ham and it comes from a Drogba flick on setting Ilicic up but his thunderous strike goes just over. Best chance of the game for Chelsea too when Bale cuts back for Vaart but he cant beat Andujar.
16:14 GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
A cracking attack by Man United, Lucas stops a Liverpool attack and feeds Banega who plays a lovely arched pass to Robinho and he picks out Steven Gerrard in the middle who heads Man Utd infront against his former side.
16:17 Another great chance for Chelsea this time Park crossing and Aguero arriving unmarked left with a tap in puts it over the bar. QPR look to hit back against Wolves but a misplaced pass allows Sahin to send Walcott away and his cross is inches away from being converted by Forlan.
16:19 Glorious opening at Wembley. Martinez coming forward with a strong run and slipping Mata in between defenders he manages to get away but shoots way too close to Cassilas who saves, should have done better there the spaniard.
16:22 Great chance for Newcastle in what is becoming an open game. Modric playing a sublime ball into Llorente whos first touch is a flick over Dann that gives Di Natale the chance to volley goalwards but its saved by Stekelenburg.
16:24 GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Wigan havent really been able to stop this Chelsea attack from creating chances and no they are punished. A counter leaves Gareth Bale with men to beat but he does it before chipping over the keeper, Vincent celebrates with Di Matteo on the touchline.
16:26 The game at Wembley has been very good so far and theres two great chances. First, Di Maria beats Lahm and finds Benzema who lays off to nani and his shot hits the post. At the other end, Mata plays a wonderful ball for Van Persie and he turns Puyol before shooting but Cassilas makes a fantastic save to keep it 0-0.
16:28 Chance for Liverpool to level as Jovetic comes inside and gets past a defender before finding Balotelli he waits too long to shoot though and United clear, Liverpool really not in their rhythm as of yet. Wolves are though now and Forlan and Dzegoev play a one two before the goalscorer sets up Valbeuna and his shot is well saved by Howard.
16:30 GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 Birmingham City
Finally the deadlock has been broken. Wilshere finds Kaka who suddenly bursts into life beating Cambiasso and finding the space to play the ball into, Robin Van Persie was on the same wavelength, he found the space ran onto the pass and clipped a finish past Cassilas, advantage Birmingham.
16:32 West Ham should go infront here, Draxler does really well to get past a couple of challenges and cross for Drogba but he shoots wide, should have scored. More like it from Wigan now as N'Doye holds off a challenge and finds Miralles who's first time ball almost falls for Zarate but Kompany clears, Wigan loked threatening there.
16:34 GOAL! Newcastle United 1-0 West Ham United
An open game gets its first goal. Boateng coming forward playing it to Vucnic who chips a ball over the defence and Fernando Llorente latches onto it before firing past a helpless keeper.
16:36 Chances at both ends at Anfield, First Pastore plays in Lavezzi who can't quite find his angle and shoots wide. Soon after Tevez holds off a challenge and plays in Shurrle but Luiz tracks the run and makes a great last ditch challenge before he can shoot.
16:38 Its been a good response by City, Diarra works hard in midfield to ride a couple of challenges before finding Ozil and his neat flick has to be cleared by Vermealen to stop Benzema getting in on goal. Then a cross is headed goalwards and Szczesny again makes a save.
16:40 GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Wolves
Where did that come from? Wolves have dominated but Defour managed to get the ball out to Steven Pienaar who came in off the wing, darted between two challenges and fired past Cesar, great goal and this could really turn this game now.
16:43 Man Utd almost have a second, Gibbs bursting forward into the box and pulling it back for Gerrard and this time Mandanda makes a great save tipping it to safety. Man Utd really wanting this and have been much better.
16:45 Half time.
16:53 So half time at Wembley and its Birmingham who are leading the race to defend their crown, Man City responded well though and looked threatening. In the league Man Utd are looking to continue this great run of theirs and they lead at Anfield, Liverpool not really in the game for the most part. Chelsea meanwhile have the lead that puts them 3 points clear of their major rivals, none of whom play in the league this weekend. Wolves are level which means they cant close the gap on 4th whilst Newcastle are infront against struggling West Ham.
17:00 The second half gets underway, lets see what happens in the cup final.
17:03 GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Birmingham City
Man City pour forward at the start of the second half and quickly get their reward, moving the ball around nicely, Nani finds Benzema he plays it to Ramos on the overlap and he sets up Di Maria to shoot, Szczesny saves again but Mesut Ozil is there to tap in the rebound.
17:05 Much better from Liverpool! A fine flowing move, Essien finds Azpilicueta, he crosses, Balotelli heads goalwards and Buffon has to push it over for a corner.
17:06 Ivanovic meets the corner but sends his header over. Over at Stamford Birdge its almost level as Shaars plays in N'Doye but he can only fire wide.
17:08 GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Liverpool are level now. Essien again disspossessing Banega and finding Pastore who plays in Ezequiel Lavezzi and for the second week running he grabs a goal for Liverpool.
17:10 Man City seem to have this game under their control now, they have more experience in their ranks and its showing, they are moving the ball around at will now.
17:12 GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Wigan Athletic
A potentially huge goal in the title race. Yaya Toure goes in with a clumsy challenge on Stankovic and Wigan have a free kick. Dame N'Doye steps up to take it and curls it past Neuer, a great first goal for the club.
17:14 Chance for Liverpool to go ahead as they up their tempo, Jovetic and Azpilicueta linking up to cross and Balotelli is a whisker away from scoring. Newcastle close to a second as Wijnaldum fires over.
17:15 Birmingham City make their first change of the afternoon after just 60 minutes, Eden Hazard replaces Juan Mata.
17:17 GOAL! Newcastle united 1-1 West Ham United
The clubs described his signing as a major coup and hes just done exactly what he was brought in to do. Ilicic finds Krasic who curls in a great ball and Didier Drogba beats Koscielny in the air to head in an equalizer.
17:18 GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Birmingham City
A fantastic move by Man City, Diarra finds Nani he plays it back to Ramos who plays it infield, Pique and Cambiasso exchange passes before the ball gets to Ozil who finds Di Maria, he plays it to Benzema and he gives it to Ozil who slides the ball through for Angel Di Maria who beats Szczesny and gives Man City a valuable lead.
17:20 With that goal City make a change, Hernanes on for Lassana Diarra. At Anfield its Liverpool now pressurizing and going for the goal, Man Utd limited to counters but neither really creating much at the moment.
17:22 Chance! Drenthe with the pace beats Coleman and crosses, Huntelaar attacks it wins the header and Cesar has to make a great save before Chielini clears. Chelsea looking to get back ahead and come close as Matip finds the run of Bale again but this time he gets his end product all wrong and the move breaks down.
17:23 GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Wigan Athletic
They come straight back though and Marcelo picks up possession from Vaart with a trademark run into the middle he bursts past Vlaar and sets up Sergio Aguero for a tap in.
17:25 With the game in the balance, Liverpool look to make the changes to win it, Jovetic and Balotelli come off, Lucas Moura and Sturridge come on. Wolves bring on Nasri and Valbeuna as they look to get infront whilst West Ham bring on new signing Robert Snodgrass.
17:28 GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Wolves
Wolves are back ahead and its important they push on from here. Nasri finds Dzegoev and he fakes a shot before sliding in Walcott whos ball acorss the box is met by Diego Forlan to score.
17:30 Both teams make a change at Wembley. Jack Wilshere comes off to be replaced by Marco Reus for Birmingham while Antonio Valencia replaces Nani for Man City. Elsewhere, Lukaku replaces Diego Forlan for Wolves, QPR bring Cisse on for Tiote whilst Giovinco replaces the impressive Gerrard for Man Utd.
17:32 Big chance at Wembley! Birmingham pushing to get back on terms lose the ball and City have the numbers to counter, Valencia crosses in and Pepe takes it off the toes of Benzema. Valencia had Ozil in acres there screaming for it, they could have put this game beyond doubt.
17:34 Chance for United. Shuurle finds Gibbs who again motors forward his ball is cleared by Ivanovic but Banega can strike it first time and it crashes back off the bar with Mandanda beaten. Chance for West Ham too, Snodgrass with a dangerous ball and Dann puts it behind for a corner with Drogba waiting, Newcastle can clear the corner.
17:35 Birmingham make their final change in the cup final. Gonzalo Higauin on for Kaka. Liverpool make a change too with Ramires off for the more creative Moutinho. Man Utd respond with a double change, Sandro and Douglas Costa coming on. Chelsea bring on Ba and Eto'o as they look for the killer 3rd. West Ham bring on Konoplyanka for Krasic and Newcastle have Gilardino on for Jones.
17:37 GOAL! Newcastle United 2-1 West Ham United
A great attack by Newcastle, Wijnaldum bursts forard and feeds Antonio Di Natale who scores what looks like a winner for Newcastle, still time for West Ham though.
17:40 Birmingham really pushing for this equalizer, Reus delivers a dangerous cross that Higuain heads just wide, chances are being created though. Liverpool close to taking the lead when Moutinho played Lavezzi over the top and his ball across was put wide by Sturridge.
17:42 GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Wigan Athletic
3rd for the league leaders as they get this game won. Yaya Toure coming forward finds Sagna who crosses and Demba Ba heads in.
17:44 GOAL! Manchester City 2-2 Birmingham City
Its in! Birmingham have been pushing for this and as a cross comes in it seems to hit Van Persie on the arm and fall for Thomas Vermealen to fire in. Man City are furious and chasing the referee but the goal stands and it looks like we will have penalties.
17:45 Full time. Penalties will follow in the league cup final.
17:50 Penalties about to get underway then, Birmingham will go first and its Van Persie.
GOAL! Birmingham City 1-0 Man City(Robin Van Persie)
GOAL! Birmingham City 1-1 Man City(Karim Benzema)
MISS! Birmingham City 1-1 Man City(Gonzalo Higuain)
MISS! Birmingham City 1-1 Man City(Angel Di Maria)
MISS! Birmingham City 1-1 Man City(Marco Reus)
GOAL! Birmingham City 1-2 Man City(Mesut Ozil)
GOAL! Birmingham City 2-2 Man City(Eden Hazard)
MISS! Birmingham City 2-2 Man City(Anderson Hernanes)
GOAL! Birmingham City 3-2 Man City(Mario Gotze)
GOAL! Birmingham City 3-3 Man City(Antonio Valencia)
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--------Sudden Death------------------
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GOAL! Birmingham City 4-3 Man City(Phillip Lahm)
GOAL! Birmingham City 4-4 Man City(Esteban Cambiasso)
GOAL! Birmingham City 5-4 Man City(Thomas Vermealen)
GOAL! Birmingham City 5-5 Man City(Gerard Pique)
MISS! Birmingham City 5-5 Man City(Javi Martinez)
GOAL! Birmingham City 5-6 Man City(Eric Abidal)
MAN CITY WIN THE LEAGUE CUP
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LIVE LEAGUE CUP FINAL AND LEAGUE GAMES
comment by Emperor Kami (U9880)
posted on 17/3/12
lstd
you had special cuddles with fan we all know it
comment by LSTD - She’s a Kepa (U2708)
posted on 17/3/12
jets my besty
that was a one off wilshere
posted on 17/3/12
3-1
comment by Emperor Kami (U9880)
posted on 17/3/12
Muamba
comment by LSTD - She’s a Kepa (U2708)
posted on 17/3/12
hope hes ok doesnt sound good
comment by Mr. Unsubscribe (U1110)
posted on 17/3/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
comment by Emperor Kami (U9880)
posted on 17/3/12
jet i had 2 reds in a row
comment by RenegadeOF (U9457)
posted on 17/3/12
Ye its the same for me, Pompey got one for against you, Liverpool and Hull had reds in their favour as well I'm sure
comment by Doc, Pray For Petrov (U3438)
posted on 17/3/12
Hope Muamba is okay
comment by Emperor Kami (U9880)
posted on 17/3/12
ive had like 4 reds go against me lol.
minimum 3
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