The results are all in so it’s time to sieve through the points and team news that emerged from this weeks Cup games…
Arsenal were frustrated by a determined Blackburn with Brad Friedal excelling to earn an unlikely clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. Blackburn put out a defensive lineup with Berner and Emerton playing in front of full-backs in wide positions and just Nonda up front. Matt Derbyshire returned from injury to appear on 68 minutes and could be in line for a start next Saturday given that McCarthy is currently laid low with a sore achilles.
Arsenal welcomed back Gallas who slotted in at left back. Clichy replaced him after an hour, but the return of Gallas must now be a concern for owners of Clichy. Although he’s made the left-back spot his own, there is likely to be some rotation now Gallas has returned.
On paper, Chelsea cruised past Norwich but the scoreline flattered them. Norwich put up a plucky display and Cech was kept fairly busy throughout. Chelsea had one eye on the Champions League tie, removing Lampard and Drogba after an hour and keeping Bridge on the bench. Carvalho was rested and didn’t appear in the squad. The injury to Boulahrouz however will limit the rotation at the back for the next month at least.
Points wise, Shevchenko came out on top, chipping in with a goal and an assist. Wright-Phillips hit a rare goal which might earn him a starting berth at the weekend. Drogba and Essien were the other scorers with Kalou providing an assist.
Manchester United were forced into a replay by Reading. United began without Neville, Ferdinand, Giggs, Evra, Scholes and Larsson, although the last 3 all appeared as subs in the second half. Rooney was serving a 1 match ban. United’s goal came from Fletcher with Ronaldo assisting.
Reading meanwhile fielded a lineup that included reserve keeper Federici and gave rare starts to Oster, Kitson as well as Gunnarsson who returned from long-term injury. It was Gunnarsson who grabbed the goal with Oster supplying the ball from the corner. Bikey meanwhile picked up his 5th booking of the season and will serve his second suspension of the season. While he is free to play on Saturday at Boro, he is now likely to miss the replay.
Middlesbrough were also taken to a replay by West Brom. They fielded a full strength side with Arca and Yakubu claiming the goals. Downing pitched in the assist for Arca’s goal.
Damian Francis hit the late winner for Watford against Ipswich. Tommy Smith providing the assist. Watford were forced into several changes due to an injury to MacKay and the fact that Williams, Hoskins and Williamson were all cup-tied. MacKay is now a doubt for Watford’s crucial game with Wigan in the week.
Man City overcame Championship Preston with goals from Ball, a Hill own goal and Ireland. Corradi and Samaras earned assists. Trabelsi returned to the right side of midfield so will once again earn some interest from managers looking to exploit the fact that he’s classified as a defender in most FF games. Vassell was out of the game with a hamstring injury.
Finally Spurs put Fulham to the sword with both Keane and Berbatov hitting a brace. With Defoe suspended Keane certainly took his opportunity, also earning an assist. Berbatov meanwhile came on as sub to notch his goals. Mido started the game in his place and contributed two assists while Zokora earned the other. Gardner and Lennon both started the match while Huddlestone returned but failed to appear from the bench. He now looks to have dropped down the midfield pecking order. Berbatov and Keane now look likely to start against Bolton on Saturday but Jol has made some baffling shuffles with his strikers this season so you never can tell.
Fulham not only got themselves a drubbing they also saw Montella return from injury only to be dismissed for violent conduct in the last minute after coming on as sub. Montella will now miss the games against Man United, Aston Villa and Wigan. Queudrue also picked up his 9th booking of the season and is just one booking from a second suspension.
| Arsenal | 0 - 0 | Blackburn Rovers |
 Dunn, Bentley, Todd, Khizanishvili | ||
| Chelsea | 4 - 0 | Norwich |
| Assists: Kalou, Shevchenko | ||
| Diarra | ||
| Man United | 1 - 1 | Reading |
| Goals: Fletcher | Goals: Gunnarsson | |
| Assists: Ronaldo | Assists: Oster | |
| Vidic | Ki-Hyeon, Bikey, | |
| Middlesbrough | 2 - 2 | West Brom |
| Goals: Arca, Yakubu (pen) | ||
| Assists: Downing | ||
| Woodgate | ||
| Watford | 1 - 0 | Ipswich |
| Goals: Francis | ||
| Assists: Smith | ||
| Preston | 1 - 3 | Man City |
| Goals: Ball, Hill og, Ireland | ||
| Assists: Corradi, Samaras | ||
| Fulham | 0 - 4 | Tottenham |
| Goals: Keane (2), Berbatov (2) | ||
| Assists: Mido (2), Keane, Zokora | ||
| Queudrue, Bouba Diop | Gardner, Keane | |
 Montella | ||