Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
West Ham play their last ever F.A. Cup tie at Upton Park Tonight with a 6th Round Replay against Manchester United. The initial tie was played ages ago by Cup standards with United salvaging a 1-1 draw which mean they have to do it all over again this Evening.
The Hammers were in one of if not the game of the season on Saturday with a pulsating 3-3 draw at home to Arsenal. Andy Carroll with a 8 minute hat-trick turned the game on it’s head and also ended Arsenal’s hope of the title.
While United collapsed in 6 minutes of madness on Sunday Afternoon at White Hart Lane, after a delayed kick off due to the coach being stuck in traffic they were looking likely to hold Spurs to a frustrating draw but their resolve was finally broken with 20 minutes to go and that defeat has seriously hampered their chances of Champions League qualification.
The pressure is certainly more on United, it’s now the F.A. Cup or bust in terms of their season and perhaps even Louis Van Gaal’s job. It’s not going to easy going to Upton Park where a lot of clubs have come unstuck. I have a feeling it maybe the last Cup game here but it won’t be the last one for Slaven Bilic’s side this season. A home win for The Hammers and Everton await in the Semi Finals.
Speaking of Everton, they play one of their games in hand Tonight in a bid to try and get up the table. They currently find themselves 14th and like United it seems it really is the F.A. Cup or bust for Roberto Martinez as he tries to salvage something from this incredibly disappointing season.
They go up against a Crystal Palace side which has finally got a win in 2016. The barren run come to an end on Saturday with a win at home to Norwich. That killed off any fears of being in a relegation battle for the last handful of games.
They will look to get to the magical 40 point marker Tonight with a win at Selhurst Park. Both sides are focusing on the Cup so don’t expect this one to be a classic. I have a feeling this will be a draw.
Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price
