Spurs tear Arsenal asunder in the Carling Cup which proves all too much for Adebayor and Bendtner. Meanwhile in the Cup that matters marginally more, Derby sneak past Wednesday on pens while Bristol Rovers ensure that Fulham get to concentrate on the league from this point on. Here’s my notes on last night’s events…
Tottenham 5 Arsenal 1
Spurs swept aside Wenger’s Arsenal to finally rid themselves of the hoodoo that the Gunners have held over them since the last millennium. There were so many standout performances for Ramos’ men but it was Jenas who grabbed the headlines with a dynamic display in midfield capped by the opening goal and two assists.
Chimbonda and King returned to the defence with Stalteri and Kaboul dropping out of the sixteen. Malbranque came back on the left of midfield after serving his 1-match ban at the weekend. Huddlestone was also back from suspension on the bench with Defoe as Keane was restored up front with Berbatov.
Jenas is clearly benefiting from the arrival of Ramos. His season has been a stuttered one, broken up by injuries and a suspension. He could well be an excellent purchase for the last third of the season however as Spurs push on. Certainly at home he offers considerable points potential. Spurs have scored 32 Premiership goals at the Lane – that’s the best in the league – Berbatov and Keane are the obvious targets as always but Jenas offers a very realistic alternative to the likes of Cahill, Petrov and Bentley for those looking for that differential player that will help close the gap on mini-league rivals.
It might be wise to hold fire on buying in Spurs players right now however. It’s United at home next in the Premiership and although that’s followed by a trip to Derby, two legs of a UEFA tie with Slavia Prague could see Ramos rest players at Pride Park. That Derby game is then followed by a home game with Chelsea. So although Spurs are superb at home – their next two home games in the Premiership see them face the best two defences.
Plenty of changes in the Arsenal lineup of course, although Wenger was forced to bring on some of his big guns to attempt to rescue the tie to no avail. It was a stronger lineup than that used in the first leg with Gallas and Hleb coming in. Senderos missed out with a facial injury, thought to be a broken nose, sustained at Fulham at the weekend. He seems likely to be doubtful for the FA Cup tie with Newcastle at the weekend.
Not a lot can be said of the Arsenal performance. Adebayor arrived on the scene, continued his rich goalscoring form by hitting his fourth in three games and then appeared to clash with teammate Bendtner. That incident wasn’t spotted by referee Howard Webb but is set to be reviewed by the FA and could lead to charges for both players. The likely charge for Adebayor, if found guilty, would be violent conduct which is likely to result in a 3-match ban. That would be a massive blow to Arsenal and thousands of fantasy managers.
Injuries and Suspensions
Denilson picked up a knock early on and was replaced on 18-minutes. Adebayor could well face a charge and a ban following the incident with Bendtner.
Bristol Rovers 0 Fulham 0 (5-3 on pens)
It doesn’t get any easier for Hodgson who, having watched his side humbled by Arsenal at the weekend, then saw them crash out of the FA Cup to League One Rovers on penalties. They are now without a win in 13 games.
He went back to a 4-4-2 and made a string of changes. Academy graduate Wayne Brown got his debut in midfield. Warner came in for Niemi in goal while Volz and Konchesky were pushed into midfield with Baird recalled at right-back with Bocanegra at left-back. Healy and Dempsey made up the front pairing. Bullard started his first match since his return from injury but was the villain on the night, missing the penalty that allowed Rovers to seal the win. Despite that, he was the one big plus from the nights proceedings for Hodgson. Putting in an inspired performance over 120-minutes after almost 17-months on the sidelines.
Bullard seems set be a certain starter next time out but they’ll be a string of new faces around him with Hodgson getting very busy in the transfer window. Hangeland, Andreasen, Cousins and now Johnson could all be set for debuts in that game as Fulham fight for survival in a crucial fixture. Awful form and plenty of lineup uncertainty means that Hodgson’s side will need time before Fulham are worth a passing glance look in fantasy terms.
Injuries and Suspensions
Stefanovic will serve a 1-match ban, missing Tuesday’s Premiership game with Bolton.
Sheff Wednesday 1 Derby 1 (2-4 on pens)
Derby had better luck with penalties, progressing to meet Preston in round four. Not surprisingly they looked low in confidence early on here but Jewell turned things around with his half-time talk which inspired Miller to fire an equaliser after Watson had given Wednesday a first-half lead.
Jewell was without Mills and Mears in his defence but was able to welcome back Leacock from injury and Davis from suspension. Pearson also returned from a shoulder injury to the midfield. Villa was rested with Fagan partnering Miller up front. Savage and Ghaly were also saved for the relegation battle. Barnes returned to the lineup and was played in a free role behind the strikers.
Competition for places in the Derby lineup is hotting up as injuries clear and Jewell continues to bring in new faces. Tonight he sealed a work permit for his sixth signing of the transfer window as Aussie international Mile Sterjovski was cleared to play. Sterjovski is likely to line up on the right-wing for Derby once international clearance is granted. He could make his debut against Preston on Saturday.
Injuries and Suspensions
Barnes was taken unwell during the game and replaced on 41-minutes.