ForeverInLoveWithJus

Next Fixtures

Aston Villa v Preston 19:45
Chelsea v Everton 19:45
Wigan Athletic v Fulham 19:45
Blackburn Rovers v Rotherham Utd 20:00
Liverpool v Ipswich Town 20:00

Wins for Villa, Chelsea, Fulham, Blackburn and Liverpool in my opinion!

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Results from last night

Aston Villa 5-0 Preston
B'burn 4-0 Rotherham
Chelsea 4-1 Everton
Liverpool 1-1 Ipswich (5-4 on pens)
Wigan 2-1 Fulham

Qtr final draw..

Manchester United have been paired with Premiership rivals Chelsea in the pick of the Worthington Cup quarter-finals.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men have home advantage for the clash, which will take place on 17 or 18 December.

Wigan's reward for claiming a third Barclaycard Premiership scalp in the competition - Fulham - is a home draw against neighbours Blackburn.

Aston Villa will take on Liverpool, who needed penalties to see off Ipswich Town, while Division One rivals Sheffield United and Crystal Palace meet in the other tie.

Quarter-final draw:

Wigan v Blackburn
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Chelsea

Ties to be played on 17 and 18 December

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Wigan boss Paul Jewell has said he would swap any chance of winning the Worthington Cup for promotion to Division One.

On Wednesday night, Wigan defeated their third consecutive Premiership opponents in the cup and the club are currently riding high at the top of the Second Division.

But Jewell revealed there was only one goal the team were aiming for this season.

"There's no comparions," he said. "Promotion would come ahead of any cup glory. The cup is very nice but the holy grail is promotion.

We haven't achieved anything but we've done okay in the Cup Paul Jewell

"I'd swap any cup wins for 50 points. We've played six or seven cup games and, if someone said I could turn each one of those into three league points, I'd take them.

"The cup is a bonus but a bonus we're enjoying."

Nathan Ellington scored twice for Wigan as they surprised a weakened Cottagers line-up at the JJB Stadium.

His double strike added to the club's earlier wins in the competition against West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.

But Jewell has already warned his players not to get carried away with their cup run.

"We haven't achieved anything," he added, "but we've done okay in the Cup.

"West Brom and Fulham didn't even put out their strongest sides - as they both have other agendas. But, that said, every team we've played has been full of quality and our players have done smashingly."

Wigan's current success is in stark contrast to 12 months ago, when fans were calling for Jewell to be replaced.

Their lowest point was when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by lowly Canvay Island.

Wigan's Cup scalps
2 Oct: 3-1 v West Brom
5 Nov: 1-0 v Man City
4 Dec: 2-1 v Fulham

But such slumps have inspired Jewell to greater success.

He said: "People want quick fixes - look at Leeds United and Terry Venables. All you can ask for is enough time but if don't do it can hold your hands up.

"I'm sure people were saying 'if they get beat next week then the Wigan job will be up for grabs'.

"The chairman, though, said privately that my job was safe despite our results but that he wanted to see an improvement.

"It's taken time but we've had some success although I'll be happier when people ring up congratulating us on promotion."

Wigan now face defending champions Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Worthington Cup, but Jewell believes his "underdogs" can enjoy further cup success.

"We've gone three rounds further than we tought we would so anything else is a bonus," he said.

PastyHusty

I told you Sunderland would have problems at Sheffield. I didn't forsee Fulham getting beaten at Wigan though. Wigan deserve a lot of credit for beating Fulham. (Wigan are a Division 2 side for anyone not familiar with English leagues reading this.)

I'm pleased that I was wrong about United on Tuseday, they definitely deserved the win and I was surprised that Ferguson played a few first team players, especially with such an important match on Saturday.

Aston Villa and Blackburn were never in trouble.

Chelsea surprised me a little, though Everton would have put up a better fight than that!

Shame Liverpool had to sneak through on penalties though. Good for Dudek to regain some of his confidence as well.

Looking forward to the next matches in 2 weeks. Don't think United will put out a strong team though and could well be beaten by Chelsea. I also hope Villa and Blackburn win their matches, as for the first division clash, any team can win it.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

I told you Neil that United would win but you wouldnt believe me...

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Quarter Finals on tonight.

Wigan v Blackburn
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Chelsea

Tomorrow

Aston Villa v Liverpool

I think Blackburn, Sheff Utd, Man Utd and Aston Villa will win!

PastyHusty

I agree, United should be able to overcome Chelsea, I can't see Blackburn having problems at Wigan and giantkillers Shefiield United shouldn't be too worried about Palace, but Villa will probably win on penalties or extra time.

PastyHusty

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea
Sheffield United 3-1 Crystal Palace
Wigan 0-2 Blackburn

I precited these ones well.

Sheffield United won their match in the last 5 minutes with 2 goals from Peschisolido, while Blackburn were the better team for most of the match against Wigan. Looking forward to Villa - Liverpool.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Yay Chelsea out.. Next I hope will be Liverpool out!

PastyHusty

Aston Villa 3-4 Liverpool

Tonight's game between these two teams was in some parts boring and in some parts thrilling. The first half wasn't brillaint but provided two goals, one was a good free-kick from danny Murphy. The second half was very good though with Liverpool taking a two goal lead before Villa pulled them back to 3-3 with just 2 minutes to go thanks to a Henchoz own goal. Two minutes later Liverpool were leading once again through Murphy and weathered the Villa last minute storm to take a place in the Semi Finals.

Semi-Finals
Manchester United .v. Blackburn Rovers
Sheffield United .v. Liverpool

Ties to be played in Jnauary and are two legged.


This draw sets up the mouthwatering prospect of a Manchester United - Liverpool final.