The Premier League took a break last weekend as clubs joined the world’s best known cup competition, the FA Cup. The weekend was decidedly lacking in surprise results but two of the biggest clubs ultimately provided huge talking points.
Former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry returned to North London on loan from the New York Red Bulls and came off the bench to score the only goal of the game against Leeds United. The Gunners had completely dominated the match without being able to put the ball in the net until 34 year old Henry came off the bench to slot home after 78 minutes whilst the entire Leeds defence appealed for offside. Henry’s goal brought back memories of the glory days in which he scored 174 goals in eight seasons, picking up two championships and three FA Cups – Arsenal are trophyless in the four years since the Parisian left and will be hoping that his (short-term) return will inspire them to silverware this year.
Up in Manchester, the UK’s two leading sides battled it out in front of almost 50,000 – despite five goals and a controversial sending off, the biggest news was the return of Paul Scholes. Former England international Scholes had retired seven months ago but had been such a regular sight at United’s training ground that none of his team-mates had even realised that he was in line to be re-registered by the club. Sir Alex Ferguson pulled the shock move of naming him on the bench and the move inspired his United side to take a 3-0 lead by half-time. City came back with two second half goals, but it was the arrival of Scholes off the bench that made the headlines.
Other than City, the only Premier League side to exit the cup was Blackburn Rovers, beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United, with Jonas Gutierrez’s spectacular 95th minute strike making the difference.
The closest we came to a giant killing was League One side Milton Keynes Dons draw with QPR of the Premiership. QPR had to rely on a last minute strike from Icelandic forward Heidar Helguson to save their blushes and take the game to a replay. Elsewhere, League Two’s Macclesfield Town earned a 2-2 draw against Premiership strugglers Bolton Wanderers.
The Premiership returns this weekend and the leading clubs will all feel confident of victory. United host Bolton, Spurs welcome Wolves and City must visit Wigan. Chelsea will look to avoid a potential banana skin when they host Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland. Sunderland have picked up 13 points from six games since O’Neill took charge and inflicted a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea the last time the sides met at Stamford Bridge.
