A weird and wonderful week for Saints. After winning against the odds at Anfield to reach the EFL Cup Final at Wembley by way of a 2-0 aggregate victory over two legs, a second string side were outclassed by Arsenal reserves in the 4th Round tie at St Marys, losing 5-0. This will be Saints first major cup final since they appeared in the League Cup Final in 1979 and will be a repeat of the 1976 FA Cup Final when they take on Man United.
The two non league teams left in the competition were both victors at home against Championship sides, Lincoln City 3-1 over Brighton and Sutton United 1-0 over Leeds. Impressive results that they were, the term 'giant killers' doesn't really apply when the league teams consistently field weakened sides prioritising their league fixtures over the FA Cup competition.
The revolving door at non league Eastleigh continues to spin a pace and as a result Martin Allen's side are struggling to find any consistency, the latest disappointment being a 0-1 home loss to Woking.
The midweek league fixtures threw up a couple of surprise results, namely Arsenal's loss at home to Watford and Spurs being held to a goal-less draw at Sunderland. Watford's result was fitting in the week of Graham Taylor's funeral. Liverpool and Chelsea battled to a 1-1 draw at Anfield, to leave Chelsea 9 points clear despite Costa's missed penalty in front of the Kop. Liverpool thus avoided a fourth consecutive home defeat.
Having rested the first team ahead of the PL game at Swansea, the ploy misfired when Saints succumbed to the resurgent Welsh side by the odd goal in three. Spirits were raised on transfer deadline day with the signing of Italian international Manola Gabbiadini from Napoli which is something Saints fans have been asking for since before the season started. Surprisingly, with Virgil van Dyck out for a lengthy spell Saints failed to bring in a centre back to bolster the defences having already sold Fonte to West Ham.
Over in Gabon the African Nations Cup had quietly reached the semi final stage with Egypt and Cameroon left to compete in the final. As a result PL players have been returning to their clubs over the last couple of weeks, the latest notable returnee being Sadio Mane who was flown back in a private jet to help the Liverpool cause.
Back in Europe Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus retain top spots in their respective leagues.
The two non league teams left in the competition were both victors at home against Championship sides, Lincoln City 3-1 over Brighton and Sutton United 1-0 over Leeds. Impressive results that they were, the term 'giant killers' doesn't really apply when the league teams consistently field weakened sides prioritising their league fixtures over the FA Cup competition.
The revolving door at non league Eastleigh continues to spin a pace and as a result Martin Allen's side are struggling to find any consistency, the latest disappointment being a 0-1 home loss to Woking.
The midweek league fixtures threw up a couple of surprise results, namely Arsenal's loss at home to Watford and Spurs being held to a goal-less draw at Sunderland. Watford's result was fitting in the week of Graham Taylor's funeral. Liverpool and Chelsea battled to a 1-1 draw at Anfield, to leave Chelsea 9 points clear despite Costa's missed penalty in front of the Kop. Liverpool thus avoided a fourth consecutive home defeat.
Having rested the first team ahead of the PL game at Swansea, the ploy misfired when Saints succumbed to the resurgent Welsh side by the odd goal in three. Spirits were raised on transfer deadline day with the signing of Italian international Manola Gabbiadini from Napoli which is something Saints fans have been asking for since before the season started. Surprisingly, with Virgil van Dyck out for a lengthy spell Saints failed to bring in a centre back to bolster the defences having already sold Fonte to West Ham.
Over in Gabon the African Nations Cup had quietly reached the semi final stage with Egypt and Cameroon left to compete in the final. As a result PL players have been returning to their clubs over the last couple of weeks, the latest notable returnee being Sadio Mane who was flown back in a private jet to help the Liverpool cause.
Back in Europe Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus retain top spots in their respective leagues.
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