Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3

Carabao Cup Final, Sunday 25th February 2018

Goals from Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva helped Manchester City to Carabao Cup glory as they saw off Arsenal at Wembley to keep their hopes of a treble well and truly alive.

City obviously went into this as favourites although the last time these two had met at Wembley, last seasons FA Cup Semi Final, the Gunners came out on top in that one, and with Arsene Wenger yet to win the league cup, this added another plot to this final.

City boss Pep Guardiola was also looking for his first trophy at the club and with over 85,000 at Wembley for this one, the atmosphere was electric as the teams took to the field. 

City began in the front foot and saw a Leroy Sane effort blocked before Aguero saw a low shot diverted away from goal.   But then on eight minutes the Gunners should of taken the lead when Aaron Ramsey poked a pass through to Mesut Ozil and the German picked out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the far post, and he looked destined to score but the striker scuffed his shot from inside the six-yard box and was brilliantly kept out by a sprawling Claudio Bravo. Kyle Walker did well to put the pressure on Aubameyang though and this may have contributed to the miss.  However it was a massive let off for City.

In the 9th minute City broke down the other end but Aguero could only slice an effort into the side netting. It had been end-to-end stuff in the opening ten minutes at Wembley.

And four minutes later Arsenal were asking for a penalty when Nacho Monreal went down in the box under a Vincent Kompany challenge, however no penalty was given, and no VAR required, which was available to the officials in this final.

But in the 18th minute the deadlock was broken, and it was City who grabbed the opener,  as after goalkeeper Bravo had pumped a ball up field, Aguero nudged Shkodran Mustafi off the ball, raced through into the box and lobbed the onrushing David Ospina for City goal number 199 for the Argentine.  Not the best defending from the Arsenal man and his side now had to come from behind if they were to gain victory in this one.

Six minutes later Arsenal tried to respond when clever play from Ramsey saw him drill a low free-kick under the wall, but it was well gathered by Bravo at the near post and then just before the half hour mark Kompany powered a header over the Arsenal crossbar as they went looking for a second.

Aguero then flicked a header over the bar ten minutes before the break before a minute later Arsenal's Aubameyang, who looked like he was through on goal, saw Kompany show good pace to track back and dispossess the Gunners striker and thwart what could of been a leveller.

However five minutes before the break City came close to a second as Aguero managed to evade Mustafi once again before he chipped a ball towards the far post which was cleared off the line by Laurent Koscielny before Kevin de Bruyne smashed the follow-up into the sidenetting.  It meant this final was still delicately balanced as we reached half time.

Half Time Arsenal 0 Manchester City 1

City came out of the blocks quickly in the second period and saw a ball fall to skipper Kompany on the edge of the box, but his low shot was blocked by Koscielny and dropped inches wide of the goal.  Kompany thought it was in and held his head in his hands in dispair.

Ten minutes into the half a long ball forward from Gunners full back Hector Bellerin set Aubameyang through. There was then big confusion between Walker and keeper Bravo, who has sprinted miles off his line and then took an airshot at the ball, however the ball did not drop kindly for Aubameyang and he was eventually flagged for a foul.

But then in the 57th minute City, who had looked likely to double their lead, did just that when Ilkay Gundogan's shot across the area was diverted into the net by a clever Kompany finish and it cued wild celebrations amongst all that was Blue, it was certainly a popular goal from the their legend that was Kompany.

And just seven minutes later City all but ended this contest when defender Danilo danced across the Arsenal backline and played in David Silva, and the Spaniard turned Calum Chambers, looked up and drilled a low finish past David Ospina into the far corner and the Blues were cruising this one now.  It was too much for some Arsenal fans who began leaving after this goal.

You felt City could easily go on and totally embarass a now shot Arsenal side, and with twenty minutes remaining Sane burst in from the left, past Mustafi, but then lost control at the final second and keeper Ospina managed to dive at the feet of the attacker and gather the ball.

Arsenal tried to at least give the remaining Gunners fan's inside the stadium something to cheer, and with fifteen minutes left saw Granit Xhaka send a long-range effort just over the crossbar, and then three minutes later a rare mistake from City at the back saw Nicolas Otamendi miss a through ball, however Aubameyang could not get on the end of it as Bravo came to collect it.

And alas that was the final moment in the contest as City comfortably saw the game out to take what in the end was a routine victory over a poor Arsenal side, especially second half.  Manchester City won the Carabao Cup and it was Guardiola's first trophy as City manager. You would expect a few more to follow.

For Arsenal this was a humbling experience and leaves them now with just the Europa League to contend for realistically.  The fallout from this one has already begun with many yet again calling for Wenger to go, and on this showing you can't blame them for that, it's gone stale at the Arsenal which for a club like that is very sad to see.

Full Time Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3 

Melksham Town 0 Thatcham Town 1

Buildbase FA Vase Quarter Finals, Saturday 24th February 2018

Ekow Elliott netted a late winner for Thatcham Town as they edged their Buildbase FA Vase Quarter Final derby against Melksham Town at Oakfields to progress into the Last Four of the competition.

The hosts came into this one maybe slightly undercooked after only playing one match since the end of January, however the one game they did play this month was a 4-1 win over Longwell Green Sports at Oakfields. 

The visitors on the other hand were on a twenty game winning streak until they drew with fellow Vase Quarter Finalists Windsor last weekend, however they did win in midweek to maybe start another winning run.  I’m sure Melksham had other ideas mind.

And if the enormity of a two legged semi final tie for the winner wasn’t enough, the fact these sides are only around 40 miles apart certainly added up to create the ingredients for a classic cup tie.  And with a record Oakfields crowd of 2,208 crammed into the ground, it certainly got the juices flowing.

The opening ten minutes saw a couple of sighters for the home side, firstly when the visiting keeper decided to come for a ball, make a mess of it, but thankfully for his sake see the ball fired miles off target, and then secondly a free kick that was straight at the keeper and caused no issues at all.

And just before the quarter hour mark the visitors had their first effort at goal, although it was well wide from range, as the opening exchanges of this massive cup tie were cagey to say the least.  Not really a surprise given the enormity of it all.

The first real opening didn’t arrive until the 21^st minute, and it fell to the visitors, as they were laid in on goal however the keeper managed to save the effort and keep the scoreline at 0-0, before three minutes later up the other end the home side fizzed in a low cross from the right, however the keeper was equal to it and held onto the cross.

Just before the half hour mark a good drive forward from Melksham saw a cross result in a looping header saved under his bar by the keeper, who was under pressure from an opponent, and then three minutes later a decent free kick into the box by Thatcham saw a glancing header go well wide of the target.

And then in the 33^rd minute came a great chance for the hosts to edge ahead when they were thwarted by a double save/block by the visitors, and then three minutes later another decent chance for the hosts saw a great ball into the area diverted just wide from inside the six yard box.

Two minutes before the break another brilliant cross from the home side to the back post was headed off target, meaning this tight derby remained goalless at the break, although the hosts had definitely had the better of the openings so far.

Half Time Melksham Town 0 Thatcham Town 0

Two minutes into the second period the hosts won a free kick in a dangerous position, but the effort was straight down the keepers throat, and then four minutes later Melksham almost went in front but saw the keeper save an effort at full stretch down to his left to keep the ball from going in.

On the hour mark the visitors whipped in good cross which the defender left, almost allowing the visitors in, however they couldn’t convert and the ball was eventually cleared from danger, before down the other end the hosts struck wide, bringing ooos and ahhhhs from the locals.

In the 62^nd minute the visitors attacked again, and were screaming for a handball after a header had been blocked, and in the 73^rd minute Thatcham won a free kick in a decent position, but the effort was deflected a few inches over the bar.

In the 82^nd minute the hosts caused concern in the visitors area when the ball bounced around before it looped out but was then volleyed way way off target, before the visitors had a moment of their own in the final third of their opponents, however this came to nothing to, before an effort was whistled over the bar.

You did start to wonder if either side was going to find a winner as extra time looked likely, however just as the clock ticked onto 90 minutes Elliott drove into the box and fired a great effort across the keeper and into the far corner, sparking wild jubilant scenes amongst the Thatcham players/staff and fans who were in attendance.  It certainly looked like being the deciding moment in this tie.

And moments later Thatcham could and should of sealed it when they got through on goal however the keeper came to thwart with his legs and Melksham still had a chance to salvage something from what stoppage time remained.

But after several tense minutes of stoppage time, the visitors held firm and saw it through to book their place in the Semi Finals of the FA Vase.  Gutted for Melksham who gave their all in this tie, a highly competitive derby, however that moment of brilliance from Elliott settled this one.  Congratulations to Thatcham Town, who join Marske United, Stockton Town and 1874 Northwich in the Last Four.

Full Time Melksham Town 0 Thatcham Town 1

Brentford 5 Birmingham City 0

SkyBet Championship, Tuesday 20th February 2018

Braces from Ollie Watkins and Neal Maupay helped see The Bees to an emphatic win over the Blues at Griffin Park.

The teams came into this one needing the points for differing reasons, Brentford were still chasing a play off spot whilst Birmingham needed to try and pull away from the relegation places down at the foot of the table.

The Bees started brightly and on three minutes saw a Maupay shot blocked, before the ball was worked back to him but he could only place wide, and then three minutes later Sawyers could only send an effort high and wide after a poor clerance from Dean, who was back at Griffin Park for the first time after leaving the Bees for Brum.

On ten minutes a poor header from Bramall saw Maupay with a chance, with his volley being deflected wide, before Birmingham broke downfield however Gardner's effort went miles over.  And then two minutes later Mokotjo saw an effort blocked by the visiting defence before Sawyer flashed in a low cross which Maupay steered just wide.

The visitors then had a spell and on 16 minutes saw Ndoye go past Egen before sending a shot low across the face of goal, and then a minute later Gallagher got in behind the Brentford backline but saw his effort saved by Bentley to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.

But on the half hour mark the deadlock was broken, and it was the hosts who found the net, when Watkins fired an effort at goal from twenty five yards out and keeper Stockdale allowed the ball to squirm through his grasp and into the corner of the net, and then right on half time The Bees doubled their lead when after Maupay had robbed Lowe, he drove towards the box and slipped in Florian Jozefzoon who took a touch before slotting home.

The hosts had really taken control now and almost added a third when a Watkins drive towards goal was blocked by Roberts, however the hosts went into the break two goals to the good.

Half Time Brentford 2 Birmingham City 0

The Blues had two massive chances to get back into the contest in the opening three minutes of the second period, firstly when Gallagher fired over from eight yards out with only Bentley to beat, and then secondly when Adams also fired over from a decent position, and if either of those had gone in it could of been a different game.

However Brentford were soon back on the front foot and a lovely interchange from Maupay and Watkins saw the former shoot from twenty yards out but Stockdale was equal to it, however five minutes into the half the Bees did make it three when Dalsgaard got in down the right after a defensive error, and his cross found Maupay who tapped home from close range.

And it got even worse for the visitors and keeper Stockdale moments later when the keeper fumbled the ball and lost it to Watkins, and he played the ball back to Maupay who fired in off the crossbar from fifteen yards out and the hosts were buzzing to say the least, and the visitors were all at sea.

On the hour mark the hosts almost made it five when Watkins forced two good saves out of Stockdale, and then three minutes later Mokotjo fed Watkins who was only thwarted by a last ditch tackle from Bramall, before the corner saw Jozefzoon end up with the ball and he curled an effort just wide.  It was really now how many the hosts could end up with here.

Watkins then scuffed wide in the 66th minute before Yoann Barbet saw two efforts on goal blocked before Alan Judge saw an effort go over the bar from fifteen yards, and then two minutes later Watkins fed Jozefzoon and he was only denied by a flying save from Stockdale.

However the Bees did eventually find a fifth when Watkins grabbed his second of the game by stooping to head Jozefzoon's pinpoint cross into the corner of the net after another move which carved the Birmingham defence to shreds.

The Bees almost netted a sixth in stoppage time when a wicked cross from Judge saw Barbet flick an effort inches wide of the post, before the Blues so nearly grabbed a consolation but Gallagher saw his point blank header brilliantly saved by Bentley before Adams fired the rebound wide.

What a night it had been for the hosts though, who took the points in style and kept them in touching distance of the playoffs.  As for Birmingham, they are now just a point above the dropzone and left them with plenty to think about moving forward from here.

Full Time Brentford 5 Birmingham City 0

Sunderland 0 Brentford 2

EFL Championship, Saturday 17th February 2018

First half goals from Kamohelo Mokotjo and Neal Maupay helped see visitors Brentford to victory over a largely inept Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

It was a ninth season of me and my step mum making the annual pilgrimage to my late fathers beloved Black Cats which we have done around his February birthday every year since his passing in 2008, and the first season we would see them not taking part in a Premier League match after their relegation from the top flight last season.

And his boys were struggling too, sitting second bottom in the Championship, however last weekend fightback from 3-0 to claim a point at Bristol City would have no doubt given the club a lift coming into this one against a Brentford side who had been rather inconsistent of late but sat in tenth spot which a chance of claiming a play off berth still.

Still their was reason for optimism amongst the home contingent, however it was the Bees who began well and forced Lee Camp into a near post save early on, and then on 11 minutes saw another effort side footed at Camp as the visitors continued to start on the front foot.

But it wasn’t long before the visitors grabbed an inevitable opener as a ball laid back to Mokotjo saw him fire a first time effort from twenty yards out beyond Camp into the far corner and Brentford had the start they wanted, and Sunderland the one they didn’t need.

On 17 minutes the visitors produced more good link up play before seeing a curled effort go just over, and the hosts were all over the place and it looked likely that the Bees would add to their tally if truth be told.

On twenty minutes nice skill from the visitors down the right eventually saw an effort go over the hosts bar, and then a minute later the hosts finally managed to put a decent attack together, and although nothing came of it the home crowd were at least awakened and then saw a long range effort easily gathered by Bees keeper Dan Bentley.

However any positive ness gained from that burst vanished in the 27^th minute as the Bees doubled their lead, when a cut back saw Maupay cheekily flick the ball home from close range, and the hosts had a mountain to climb with two thirds of the contest remaining.

The hosts tried to respond when firing into the side netting, before they got in down the right but a weak effort was blocked out for a corner, however these were just flashes of good in what was becoming a rather inept performance from the hosts overall.

And in the 34^th minute the Bees looked certain to make it three, however the ball was somehow overrun and Camp managed to gather the loose ball and thwart what would have probably ended the contest their and then.

And late on in the half another sloppy error from the hosts saw the visitors in down the right hand side, however the ball into the box was poor for once, and was cleared after another block from a desperate defender.

However for a poor as Sunderland had been in the opening forty five minutes they so nearly grabbed a goal back in first half stoppage time when a loose ball from a free kick was thumped against the bar with Bentley a spectator, and it meant the visitors went into the locker room two goals to the good and probably feeling they could be further in front.  For Sunderland it had been a woeful forty five minutes and Chris Coleman had one hell of a team talk to deliver.

Half Time Sunderland 0 Brentford 2

Whatever Coleman said in the changing room worked initially as the hosts certainly came out much brighter in the opening five minutes of the half, with a cut back being struck wide of the near post, and then another cut back just going behind an onrushing player, but the intent was now there.

Brentford saw an effort whistle over, before another decent attacking position for the home side saw the ball get stuck under the hosts players feet, and saw the ball eventually go for a corner, and then ten minutes into the second half another woeful finish saw another opening go by for the Black Cats, but it had been all Sunderland this half so far.

The visitors still remained a threat though and just before the hour saw a free header from close range go over, before the hosts saw a deflected cross almost creep in the near post, but Bentley got down well to tip the ball behind for a corner.

As the midway point of the half approached the visitors broke down the left, and eventually saw an effort deflected wide of the post, with the home fans booing the referee rather loudly after he didn’t give them a free kick which led to the visitors breaking.  It had been a rather frustrating day for the home fans I can tell you.

With thirteen minutes left the hosts burst forward but saw the final effort well saved by Bentley, and then with nine minutes left the hosts saw a decent ball into the area mis headed from point blank range and the ball actually went for a throw in.  It kind of summed up the home sides day if truth be told.

With five minutes left the hosts almost capitalised on an error, however Bentley saved, then saw the visitors break but drag an effort wide.  Then more woeful finishing from Sunderland saw them hold their hands in their hands, before the visitors nearly sealed it in stoppage time but saw a defender get back to thwart them.

However those first half goals from Mokotjo and Maupay proved more than enough for the Bees to take the three points here, and although the hosts improved after the break, it was a largely inept performance from them.  My late father would have been turning in his grave, and my step mum’s take on it was ‘pathetic’.  The boos at full time said it all too, and Coleman has one hell of a job to do to keep the Black Cats in the division.

Full Time Sunderland 0 Brentford 2