Howard ends Chelsea reign in FA Cup

Resham Ahmed February 20, 2011 0

Howard ends Chelsea reign in FA Cup

LONDON: The American goal keeper of Everton Tim Howard shocked the defending champions Chelsea as he denied them to score on the penalties and took his team to the quarter finals of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge Stadium on Saturday night.

Leighton Baines celebrates after levelling the scores at 1-1. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

It was an evenly contested fourth round match between Chelsea and Everton and man of the moment was Howard, who saved number of attacks of Chelsea players during the match and denied them any goal in the 90 minutes.

After goalless 90 minutes, Chelsea scored the opening goal of the match in the first half of extra time thanks mainly to their star striker Frank Lampard who put his side ahead in the 104^th minute of the match.

Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard walk off the pitch. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

It was looked like that Chelsea will take the match and became the first team to win three consecutive FA Cup title since Blackburn achieved from 1884-86 but Everton striker Leighton Baines had other plans as he scored the brilliant equalizer on the free kick in 119^th minute of the match and took the match to the penalty kicks.

Nervous Everton players look whilst the penalty shootout. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Lampard and Drogba put Chelsea ahead in the penalty shoot out as both converted their penalties when Everton failed to score in their first two penalty kicks. Phil Jagielka scored the first goal for Everton on penalty as Anelka’s soft kick stopped by Howard.

Tim Howard celebrates with teammate John Heitinga. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Arteta leveled it 2-2 when he converted his chance but Ashley Cole failed to convert the last penalty and it was left for the Everton’s skipper Phil Neville to take his side to last 16 and he did exactly the same by scoring the last penalty kick and beat the Chelsea by 4-3.

Tim Howard saves the penalty from Nicolas Anelka. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Manchester United edged past non-league side Crawley by 1-0 to book their place in the last 16. It was a second string Red Devils side which participated in the match but Sir Alex Ferguson played with Rooney in the second half but the hero for United this time was their defender Wes Brown who scored the decisive goal.