TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Alan Smith: Roberto Mancini takes aim at Man City's problem back four Manchester City's decision-makers will soon feel a lot better if Roberto Mancini starts to improve the side's defending. telegraph.co.uk |
Fabregas may be swapped Arsenal may be ready to sell Cesc Fabregas to Real Madrid - if they get Argentina star Gonzalo Higuain in return, a Spanish sports newspaper said on Thursday. foxsports.com.au |
Rafa reviews Torres sale position Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has softened his stance on the prospect of selling brilliant striker Fernando Torres. foxsports.com.au |
Aston Villa 3-2 Brighton | FA Cup match report Aston Villa fans were compelled to relive "a night of history" before this fixture, referring to the 6-4 midweek win over Blackburn that paved the way to the Carling Cup final, but at times it seemed that message had fed through to the players.Against a Brighton side sat 56 league places beneath them Villa once again traded on quantity of goals rather than quality, as their fleetingly inspired counter-attacking play was undermined by long periods of benevolent torpor.Brighton might have felt a sense of momentum going into this fixture after winning their last three games – all away from home – and defeating Rushden & Diamonds, Wycombe and Torquay to get this far in the Cup.Their 6,400 fans who travelled up from Sussex presumably felt it too, yet if the final score at least suggested respectability, they would have been disappointed by their side's timid start.Stephen Warnock's bizarre decision to dribble across the face of his own goal could have led to an opportunity for Brighton but instead it proved the building block of a sweeping move, with Ashley Young feeding Marc Albrighton on the right wing. The pigeon-chested winger was half-checked by the left-back Jimmy McNulty but he composed himself to lay on an easy tap-in for Nathan Delfouneso.Albrighton limped off immediately afterwards, to be replaced by James Milner, but aside from one eye-catching surge from Fabian Delph, Villa were slow to build on their lead as Brighton recovered their sense of purpose.Four minutes before half-time they were level. Elliott Bennett's corner seemed innocuous as it skimmed towards Brad Guzan's near post, but Villa's collective indecision allowed Tommy Elphick to prod in from close range.Gus Poyet allowed his straight-backed, sergeant's stance to relax for a second or two, sharing a celebratory handshake with his assistant, Mauricio Taricco.But any sense of satisfaction was short-lived. Two minutes after the break Villa launched a counter-attack and, despite being easily outnumbered by Brighton defenders, Milner was able to pick out Stewart Downing in space, and the left-winger chipped across for Young to head past Michael Kuipers.On 63 minutes Brighton's game was up, as Milner careered through the centre, once again unchecked, and sent Delph through on goal. The 20-year-old showed impressive close control as he drifted to the right before planting a low, precise finish into the right-hand corner.Villa, for whom Curtis Davies returned from injury for his first appearance since August, remained vulnerable with Sébastien Carole forcing a strong-armed save from Guzan.Kuipers made two excellent saves late in the game, before the veteran striker Nicky Forster spun away from James Collins to score.FA CupAston VillaBrighton & Hove AlbionJames Callowguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
I'm in charge of Fury: Ferguson North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson has laughed off claims the club will have to choose between him and marquee striker Robbie Fowler by next season. foxsports.com.au |