It's raining goals at Spur's home field, White Heart Lane, on this night of Cup action. While winter break after this upcoming week will be a treat, getting knocked out of any tournament as our 6aside team learned is not all glit and romance. The Carling Cup is notorious as testing grounds for Premiership youth squads looking to reap the benefits of their manager's confidence. Before recapping cupholders' Spurs 4-2 victory I'd like cover news elsewhere.
Beware bandwagon U.S.A. fan's of the name Vela for it might soon haunt our dreams in matches of the future. Is this writer worried about a shift in the balance of regional footy power? Not so. Just heed the young blood coming through the ranks of highly touted continental clubs, broaden your horizons from the land of statistics and sitcoms.
Enough of the smearing onward with the readin...ok, right on.
Carlos Vela looks as though he will score the Gunner's goal of the season every time the 19yr old, Mexican international graces the pitch. The forward had an assist and a fantastic goal on the break: go watch the highlight real. After yesterday's performance where-in the young Gunners sunk Wigan 3 to nil, Wenger dubbed his side, "the most complete squad" of youngsters since his tenure at the London club. The Professor went on to say that since the young crop of talent is majority English that the future of the club was in the "right hands." On a funny note the man of the match was Jack Wilshire and his mates were given his bottle of bubbly because the sixteen year old isn't yet of legal drinking age.
For all you Red Devils fans: Tevez worked his socks off earning Man U a goal from the PK spot and praise from Sir Alex; Rafael, the talented rightwing-back, showed more guile and wiliness with his skills as he broke from the sideline, split two defenders with deft feet and slid the ball into the path of Park, who was denied by the post; Danny Wellback caused the QPR defence trouble and was brought down for a clear-cut pen; Ronaldo in new contract talks to ward of Spanish suitors and speculation like this in the world sporting press.
A famous scalp at Stamford Bridge as the Blues are undone in penalty shootout by Burnley! Blackburn are though to the quarters thanks to Santa Cruz, a common theme these days for Ince's men: Roque to the rescue!
On loan striker Frazier Campbell started for Spurs tonight against Rafa's Reds. United's young blood, Campbell, scored two quality goals in a six minute shambolic finish before halftime let off on 'Pool. Roman, the mid twenties Russian, paired up with the young Englishman and scored the matches' opening goal in the 38th before netting from close range in the second half. Spurs looked the better side before the match came to a boil with threats on both flanks while runs came from deep with Bale involved. The Reds looked flat and Torres without links in the mid-field came off the field without a play of note.
When Campbell opened his account for the club by cushioning a lofted ball with the shoulder, he waltzed past the on-rushing keeper before the ball touched the pitch and slotted home, cool as a cucumber. With White Heart Lane in raptures the young man took off into the stands and was carded for his celebrations with the frenetic faithful.
Look to Les Ferdinand, maybe, or Redknapp without doubt, as cause for the swelling of confidence at the north London club. Les was brought in by Harry to coach the strikers as he did with Yakubu years earlier and the manager's genius brings results, pride and fun back to the players and loyal fans. Yet, the only thing that dampened the spirits of fans was when Gomez was knocked out and stretchered off after a collision in the 70th. White Heart Lane was brought back down to earth though the same cannot be said of their fans who will celebrate long into the cold night.
