FA Cup Discussion [R]

[Alan D]

What doe everyone think about our win against Scunthorpe and our draw with Wigan/Leeds in the FA Cup 4th round?

It could of been a better draw for us but it could have been a lot worse. It will be a close match whoever we play and I think it will largely depend on the players Pearce brings in during the transfer window.

[Colin Bell the King]

What doe everyone think about our win against Scunthorpe and our draw with Wigan/Leeds in the FA Cup 4th round?

It could of been a better draw for us but it could have been a lot worse. It will be a close match whoever we play and I think it will largely depend on the players Pearce brings in during the transfer window.

Good win, was worrying to see how Fowler seemed off the pace though, even though he scored a hat-trick.

And I would like to see us play Leeds. Just got a gut feeling that they'll be an easier team to play against than Wigan. Plus I love the atmosphere Leeds fans bring with them. :D

[Alan D]

COLE PUTS CITY THROUGH
By Andy Clarke - Created on 28 Jan 06

Andy Cole's late goal gave Manchester City a narrow 1-0 FA Cup win over local rivals Wigan Athletic.

Cole stabbed a low shot beyond John Filan after being played in by a neat touch by Bradley Wright-Phillips to net the winner six minutes from time.

It was the veteran striker's ninth goal of the season, but his first since the Boxing Day defeat to the same opposition.

It was enough to settle a tight contest which could have gone either way after the visitors had weathered an early storm.

Cole should have been on target when the game was just six minutes old, but he somehow failed to get his head onto Trevor Sinclair's right-wing cross.

When Albert Riera returned the ball from the left, Cole's first touch let him down and the ball broke to Stephen Ireland, who fired over.

Another Riera cross just evaded Darius Vassell as City continue to carry the attacking threat, but the Carling Cup finalists coped well at the back until half time.

Paul Jewell's men moved up a gear in the second half and their challenge really sparked into life when Jason Roberts replaced Neil Mellor after an hour.

The Latics' top scorer should have put his side ahead with a low, angled shot which David James did well to kick clear, and Damien Francis then squandered a glorious chance on the rebound, crashing his shot onto the bar from eight yards.

City swiftly counter-attacked and Filan had to be alert to tip over a Wright-Phillips header from a precise Sinclair cross.

Just as Roberts had done for Wigan, Wright-Phillips had injected a new pace and purpose into the City attack when he came on for Vassell.

And it was the youngster's clever touch which played in Cole for the winner.

There was still time for Wigan to force a replay and they twice came close through Paul Scharner, who got up above James to head over and then dragged a shot wide of the far post from an acute angle.

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http://home.skysports.com/matchreport.asp?fxid=292243&CPID=1&channel=premiership

[Alan D]

5th round tie today and we have Aston Villa away. I reckon that it is a match that we can win, but the least we should be able to do is manage a draw so that there will be a replay at the City of Manchester Stadium. Hopefully Darius Vassell will haunt his old club, like he did when we played them earlier on in the season.