FA Cup Fifth Round Goalkeeper News
The magic of the FA Cup was on display once again this weekend, with a number of notable performances -- some for the right reasons and some for the wrong reasons.
The big upset of the weekend was Championship side Barnsley defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield. Liverpool fielded a team that was considerably weaker than usual; Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres were missing, and so was Steven Gerrard until the last fifteen minutes.
Stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje had a night he will soon want to forget, while on the other side of the pitch, Barnsley debutante Luke Steele had a sensational match. Steele denied the Liverpool attack with four or five outstanding saves, one of which is in the video below. Both of Barnsley's goals were marginally saveable, the first of which was caused by Itandje's hesitance on a cross, and the second of which beat the Frenchman near post.
Another notable performance was David James' against Preston North End at Deepdale. The newly reinstated England goalkeeper saved a penalty on the hour mark, and Portsmouth went on to win on a last minute own goal. James' role will not be overlooked in the important victory for the Toffeys, who look most likely to break the monotony of the Big Four in English football. As the season has progressed, I have grown more and more impressed with their attractive and entertaining football -- everybody will remember their 7-4 victory over Reading in October, after which Marcus Hahnemann claimed he hadn't been so disappointed in his goalkeeping in a long time.
The enchantment of the FA Cup lives on!
Liviu Bird
Post a Comment
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments