Around The Grounds

Last updated : 08 March 2008 By Jamie Furniss
Basically it is a review of the best pick of the games which has happend on the day.
Please not the review's are taken from other FootyMad websites.

Barnsley 1 Chelsea 0 (From Tykes Mad)
Barnsley caused one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in recent years by knocking out holders Chelsea in sensational style at a fevered Oakwell.

Striker Kayode Odejayi wrote himself into the history books with a towering second-half header that sent the millionaires of Chelsea crashing out of the competition at the sixth round stage.

It was little more than the home side deserved after they had delivered a magnificent team performance that was even better than the heroic show they put on against Liverpool in the previous round.

But it was Barnsley who made the breakthrough in the 66th minute when a brilliant cross from Martin Devaney saw Odejayi rise high above Cudicini to head into the net and start the delirious Barnsley celebrations.

From then on it was all about whether the home side could hold out and they did so despite frantic, late Chelsea pressure.

Que Sera Sera (From Pompey Mad)
Who would have thought it? Pompey are on their way to the FA Cup Semi-Finals for the first time since 1992 after beating Manchester United 1-0 courtesy of a Sulley Muntari penalty.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I was almost in tears after Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle. Yes, we had some luck but I can't say how proud I am of the players today. All of them dug in and defended for their lives and showed the team spirit needed to beat a very strong United side.

And of course we'll have to listen to United fans based in Guildford and Cornwall about how lucky we were and how their superstars shouldn't be losing to a "tin-pot" outfit like
Portsmouth. Nothing like sour grapes is there?

And what's this I see? Barnsley have knocked out Chelsea this evening! We're the best side left in the competition now, we're now the favourites! It hasn't quite sunk in....

Today has been an unforgettable day for everyone involved with
Portsmouth Football Club and things could get even better next month as we all anticipate Monday's cup draw.

Reading 2 Manchester City 0 (From Man City Mad)

Reading climbed out of the relegation zone as second-half goals from Shane Long and Dave Kitson secured a 2-0 win over Manchester City.

The Royals' second successive victory saw them leap five places to 13th to ease their fears of the drop.


Reading's relief was plain to see and the rapid climb up the Premier League table sent them off to their training camp in Spain in buoyant mood ahead of a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield next weekend.