THE FA Cup fifth round is here – and some huge upsets could be on the cards.
Today’s action kicked off with two thrilling derbies as Crystal Palace beat London rivals Millwall 3-1, and Preston shocked Burnley with a 3-0 win in the Lancashire derby.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was taken off on a stretcher early on at Selhurst Park after the Palace striker was on the receiving end of a kung-fu-like kick from Liam Roberts, which saw the Lions keeper see red.
Oliver Glasner has confirmed he picked up an ear injury, and will miss Palace’s clash against Ipswich.
Later, Bournemouth and Wolves go head-to-head in an all-Premier League clash.
To finish today’s action, Manchester City take on fourth round giant killers Plymouth.
- Kick off times: 12.15pm/3pm/5.45pm
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HT: Bournemouth 1-0 Wolves
There is no doubt that The Cherries should be out of sight in this game.
They have had the ball in the back of the net three times but VAR reviews have denied them.
From a Wolves perspective, they should be able to play with a care-free attitude in the second-half, knowing that their FA Cup journey should already be over.
Boss gives update on Mateta
Oliver Glasner has given some clarity on his striker:
“He’s at hospital now, it is a serious ear injury, but fingers are crossed it is not too serious.
“He will miss the Ipswich game, but I hope he is available for the quarter-final of the FA Cup at the end of March.
“Of course we all wish him the best.”
View from SunSport’s Dan King at the Vitality Stadium
Ask, and you shall receive. But the Bournemouth fans are only happy with one of the two big incidents.
Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will not want to see Evanilson’s goal again after being caught well out of position and only being able to parry Antoine Semenyo’s shot.
Johnstone seemed to have been embarrassed again moments later when a David Brooks corner was forced in by a combination of Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez at the back post.
But after a massive VAR delay, in which referee Sam Barrott held a touchline gathering with the captains, backroom staff and anyone else who fancied it, the man in electric blue announced to the crowd that it had been disallowed for offside against Kerkez.
And then, during the seven minutes of stoppage time, Evanilson played in Kerkez, whose cross needed only to be tapped home by Brooks.
But the ball was slightly behind him and he hit it on to his own hand before watching it dribble into the net despite Nasser Djiga’s best efforts.
Brooks didn’t celebrate and the goal was disallowed much more quickly.
Bournemouth 1-0 Wolves
45+4. Almost a second goal for the hosts.
Kerkez rolls the ball across the box and Brooks is running onto it, three yards out.
He miskicks the ball, it bobbles up and strikes his hand before going into the goal.
Quite rightly, it is ruled out as a result but what a miss by the Bournemouth man.
View from SunSport’s Dan King at the Vitality Stadium
David Brooks’ corner went all the way to the back post where it was forced over the line by a combination of Huijsen and Kerkez, with the suggestion of one or both using their arms.
The home fans quite rightly sang, “It’s not football anymore,’ and “This is embarrassing,’ as the delay went on and on.
At one point referee Sam Barrott led captains Nelson Semedo and Lewis Cook to the touchline for a conference with the managers, backroom staff and anyone else with an opinion to offer.
But finally Barrott turned on his microphone and announced that Kerkez had been ruled offside.
Bournemouth 1-0 Wolves
44. Relief for the visitors, finally.
The Cherries’ goal is ruled out for offside.
It took around seven minutes to come to that decision, semi-automated offside cannot come quickly enough.
Goal disallowed by VAR
Bournemouth 2-0 Wolves
41. It has been six minutes already with this VAR check.
The officials are making a mockery of this technology.
It really seems like the lunatics are running the asylum.
VAR check in progress
Goal – Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth 1-0 Wolves
30. The deadlock has been broken on the south coast.
Johnstone makes a save but does not get the ball clear of the goal.
Evanilson rolls it into an empty net to score on his FA Cup debut.
Goal – Evanilson (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth 0-0 Wolves
28. This game promised so much but, so far, has given so little.
Both teams are looking full of promise with their attacking play but the shooting has been dreadful.
The safest place to be if you do not want to be hit with the ball is in the middle of the goal currently.
View from SunSport’s Dan King at the Vitality Stadium
Not going to lie, this is hardly thrill-a-minute stuff.
Bournemouth are having the better of the game but have yet to force Sam Johnstone into a save.
Wolves have been time-wasting from the start yet had the best chance when a Mateus Cunha cross reached Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The vocal fans of both teams deserve better than this.
Bournemouth 0-0 Wolves
20. The game is still finely poised at the Vitality Stadium.
While both sides are creating half-chances, they are not really asking much of the keepers.
It feels like one of those matches that could do with a goal to spark it into life.
Bournemouth 0-0 Wolves
15. Wolves show they are not just here for the ride.
Cunha lays the ball off to Bellegarde but his shot is blocked.
The Brazilian is immediately involved again, laying it into the path of Ait-Nouri, who sees his left-footed shot saved by Kepa.
Bournemouth 0-0 Wolves
10. This is one-way traffic currently.
Bournemouth are piling on the pressure and the visitors are struggling to keep them out.
It feels like it is just a matter of time before The Cherries break the deadlock in this one.
Credit: AFP Bournemouth 0-0 Wolves
3. It is a feisty start at the Vitality Stadium.
Cunha is looking to get involved for the visitors as he wins a free kick for Wolves.
It all breaks down and The Cherries are immediately on the front foot.
Tavernier has the first shooting chance, but drags his shot wide of the target.
Boss looking to top season off
Bournemouth have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this campaign.
While they are pushing to qualify for Europe, Andoni Iraola knows what it would mean to their fans to win a trophy.
Having seen some big teams exit the competition already, it seems a superb chance for The Cherries to make a rare Wembley appearance.
View from SunSport’s Dan King at the Vitality Stadium
Let’s face it, these two sides are unlikely to have a better shout of winning the FA Cup any time soon than they do now.
Liverpool, the only “big” club showing any consistency, are already out because they didn’t take the competition seriously enough in the last round.
Bournemouth and Wolves have both made changes, but not so many that you think they fail to appreciate the opportunity they have.
Evanilson makes his first start up top for the Cherries since breaking a David Beckham bone in his foot a couple of months ago.
Vitality Stadium with pick of matches
Both Bournemouth and Wolves have picked strong sides for this afternoon’s fifth round FA Cup tie.
The Cherries will be boosted by the return of their Brazilian striker as they look to book a place in the quarter-finals.
While Wolves are primarily focussed on Premier League survival, a cup run can be a catalyst for a change in fortunes and inspire a run of form.
Credit: PA
Wolves starting XI:
Vitor Pereira picks a strong side as they look to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
31. Johnstone, 34. Djiga, 4. Bueno, 24. Toti Gomes, 22. Semedo, 8. Joao Gomes, 27. Bellegarde, 3. Ait-Nouri, 21. Sarabia, 10. Cunha, 9. Strand Larsen
Credit: @Wolves Bournemouth starting XI:
The big news for The Cherries is the return of striker Evanilson from injury to start this match.
13. Kepa, 4. Cook, 23. Hill, 2. Huijsen, 3. Kerkez, 8. Scott, 12. Adams, 7. Brooks, 16. Tavernier, 24. Semenyo, 9. Evanilson
Credit: @afcbournemouth FT: Crystal Palace 3-1 Millwall
The Eagles book their place in the quarter-finals.
It was a game they really controlled from start to finish but the visitors did well to stay competitive after going down to ten men.
However, this afternoon will leave a sour taste in the mouths of all at Selhurst Park after seeing Mateta stretchered off and taken to hospital.
Cherries fancied for cup clash
Despite their dip in form lately, Andoni Iraola’s side are the bookies’ favourite to progress this afternoon:
Bournemouth – 7/10
Draw – 3/1
Wolves – 16/5
All match odds brought to you by Betway.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
