After a nervy stalemate at Anfield, Liverpool came back from a goal down to win at 10-man Bolton Wanderers in a 4th round FA Cup replay. Bolton forced a replay after a 0-0 draw at Liverpool, thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Adam Bogdan. And Bolton were on route to a shock victory over the top-tier giants as Zach Clough was apparently felled by Martin Skrtel in the penalty box, but later replays showed it was nothing but simulation. Nevertheless, Eidur Gudjohnsen slotted home the resulting penalty in nonchalant fashion.
Liverpool had a mountain to climb but their job was made simpler when Neil Danns was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite being one man down, Bolton defended resiliently and denied Liverpool any meaningful attack on goal as they maintained their defensive line. But a defensive lapse allowed Raheem Sterling to equalize after Emre Can provided a royal chipped pass over the Bolton defense. Bolton’s resolve was finally cracked in added-time, when Phillipe Coutinho curled in the winner in majestically, shattering the hearts of the hosts. Steven Gerrard’s FA Cup dream is back on track as Liverpool visit Crystal Palace in the 5th round.
In Manchester, 4th tier Cambridge visited the Theatre of Dreams after they survived a potential onslaught and forced a replay against their top-tier rivals, Manchester United. United made Cambridge pay for their missed chances as they scored two goals in quick succession through Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo. From then on, it was all United’s game as they tripled their lead via substitute James Wilson in the 73rd minute and sent Cambridge home packing.
Manchester United now face Preston North End who won their replay against Sheffield United, scoring 3 goals in a 10-minute window. Sunderland triumphed in their replay against Fulham, coming from a goal behind to set up a 5th round tie against giant-killers Bradford City.
Meanwhile in Germany, Borussia Dortmund suffered another loss, this time at home against 10-man Augsburg, leaving them rooted at the bottom of the Bundesliga. Raul Bobadilla gave his side a shock lead at the Signal Iduna Park and it proved to be the only goal of another torrid night for Jurgen Klopp and his men. The fans were incensed after the 1-0 loss and Roman Weidenfeller and Mats Hummels were forced to confront the furious crowd after another shocking defeat. Klopp was left open-mouthed as his two players reached out to listen to the complaints of the irked fans. “We can be accused of anything tonight and it is all justified.”
The players must pull up their socks and make a comeback if they are to survive the embarrassing prospect of relegation. Things truly have gone from bad to worse for Dortmund and it’s hard to believe that they were Champions League finalists two years ago.
Tags: FA Cup liverpool Manchester United
