http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/preece-must-box-clever-to-pull-off-unlikely-knockout-1816928.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/preece-must-box-clever-to-pull-off-unlikely-knockout-1816928.html <p>Today's Charlton Athletic may not be quite the FA Cup scalp that Dagenham & Redbridge went so close to claiming in 2001 but for Northwich Victoria, their first-round opponents today, being drawn against them is almost the stuff of dreams.</p> FA & League Cups Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/martin-silences-paultons-village-people-1816930.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/martin-silences-paultons-village-people-1816930.html ]]> <p>They dared to dream but in the end had to concede that the FA Cup does not always yield fairytales. Paulton Rovers, the village team from Somerset, had the honour of playing in the first round for the first time and the excitement of a moment in the national spotlight, but found their opponents to be as ruthlessly professional as they had been generous hosts.</p> FA & League Cups Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/joness-strike-shatters-hopes-of-glassboys-1816931.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/joness-strike-shatters-hopes-of-glassboys-1816931.html <p>It had been billed as a derby on the edge of the Black Country, but the overwhelming colour as night began to fall over this pretty ground fringed by poplars, a cricket pavilion and a church were shades of grey. </p> FA & League Cups Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/village-florist-aims-to-make-norwich-wilt-1816616.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/village-florist-aims-to-make-norwich-wilt-1816616.html <p>The FA Cup might spell romance for some but for others it is a test of character and for the players of Norwich City there will be several jaw-dropping moments as their team coach swings past the village war memorial and edges along narrow High Street into Winterfield Road in search of Paulton Rovers FC.</p> FA & League Cups Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/van-persie-eager-to-face-adebayor-in-carling-cup-tie-1813216.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/van-persie-eager-to-face-adebayor-in-carling-cup-tie-1813216.html ]]> <p>Robin van Persie has risked reigniting his feud with former Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor after it was announced that the two will face each other in the Carling Cup quarter-finals early next month.</p> Premier League Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/referee-had-double-vision-over-da-silva-claim-united-1811542.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/referee-had-double-vision-over-da-silva-claim-united-1811542.html ]]> <p>It's an easy mistake to make but nonetheless Manchester United have submitted a claim of mistaken identity to the Football Association after Fabio da Silva was booked by referee Chris Foy against Barnsley in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.</p> FA & League Cups Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/manchester-united-appeal-after-wrong-da-silva-twin-was-booked-1811411.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/manchester-united-appeal-after-wrong-da-silva-twin-was-booked-1811411.html ]]> <p> Manchester United have submitted a claim of mistaken identity to the Football Association after Fabio da Silva was booked by referee Chris Foy against Barnsley in the Carling Cup. </p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:34:49 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/benitez-cheered-by-aquilani-debut-1811295.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/benitez-cheered-by-aquilani-debut-1811295.html ]]> <p> Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez feels Alberto Aquilani has already shown just what an asset he will prove to be after finally making his long-awaited debut. </p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:35:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/wenger-keeping-faith-in-youngsters-1811293.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/wenger-keeping-faith-in-youngsters-1811293.html ]]> <p> Arsene Wenger feels his youngsters once again showed just why Arsenal are not desperate for new signings with a mature display in beating Liverpool to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup. </p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:33:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/teenagers-behind-united-trouble-1810960.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/teenagers-behind-united-trouble-1810960.html ]]> <p>Manchester United fans are blaming a dangerous new "firm" of supporters associated with the club for the looting of a food kiosk during the Carling Cup fourth round game against Barnsley at Oakwell that will result in a Football Association investigation.</p> News & Comment Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/bruce-delighted-by-henderson-despite-shootout-heartbreak-1810961.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/bruce-delighted-by-henderson-despite-shootout-heartbreak-1810961.html <p>Steve Bruce was happy to focus on the positives despite Sunderland's penalty shoot-out defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday night – with the performance of young midfielder Jordan Henderson giving him the greatest satisfaction.</p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/aquilanis-flying-start-fails-to-halt-merida-and-his-young-guns-1811218.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/aquilanis-flying-start-fails-to-halt-merida-and-his-young-guns-1811218.html ]]> <p>As the epic-style banner in The Kop says of Liverpool's new Italian, "A hero will rise" – but they forgot to mention that first Alberto Aquilani had to play in the Carling Cup fourth round. The £20m man made his Liverpool debut last night and he could not stop Rafael Benitez's team being dumped out the competition.</p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/santa-cruz-sets-city-on-their-way-1811211.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/santa-cruz-sets-city-on-their-way-1811211.html ]]> <p>Aside from a momentary scare when Scunthorpe, who fancy themselves as a footballing side, had the front to equalise midway through the first half, this was a cruise for City, who may be regarded now as a force in the game but whose appearance in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup will be only their fourth in the competition in 20 years.</p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/kalou-strike-kickstarts-blues-cruise-1811219.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/kalou-strike-kickstarts-blues-cruise-1811219.html ]]> <p>The first of Jose Mourinho's five trophies at Stamford Bridge was the Carling Cup, and Carlo Ancelotti has spoken of the potential benefits to confidence of similarly getting a first trophy in the cabinet at Wembley in February. Chelsea remain well on course for that after another emphatic home performance. There was something almost contemptuous about the way they dismissed Bolton last night, stretching their run without conceding at home to 13 hours, and taking their tally of goals in the past week to 13 in three games.</p> FA & League Cups Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/owen-frustrated-by-expectations-1810754.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/owen-frustrated-by-expectations-1810754.html ]]> <p> Manchester United striker Michael Owen scored his third goal of the season in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley but remains bewildered by what some people expect of him. </p> Premier League Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:54:54 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/welbeck-to-undergo-knee-scan-1810742.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/welbeck-to-undergo-knee-scan-1810742.html <p> Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck is scheduled to have a scan on his knee today. </p> Premier League Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:41:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fa-to-investigate-barnsley-crowd-trouble-1810739.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fa-to-investigate-barnsley-crowd-trouble-1810739.html ]]> <p> The Football Association have confirmed they are investigating reports of crowd disturbances at the Carling Cup tie between Barnsley and Manchester United at Oakwell last night. </p> News & Comment Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:38:16 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/hopes-high-as-aquilani-makes-bow-1810391.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/hopes-high-as-aquilani-makes-bow-1810391.html ]]> <p>He may have dodged the No 7 shirt but as he prepares for his long-awaited Liverpool debut this evening, Alberto Aquilani will be in little doubt about what is expected from him.</p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/hightech-ancelotti-helps-england-1810392.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/hightech-ancelotti-helps-england-1810392.html ]]> <p>Carlo Ancelotti yesterday promised to put the high-tech sports science of the famous Milan Lab behind England's challenge for next summer's World Cup to ensure the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry are fit and fresh in South Africa.</p> International Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/hughes-keeps-faith-in-lescott-to-add-steel-to-citys-defence-1810393.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/hughes-keeps-faith-in-lescott-to-add-steel-to-citys-defence-1810393.html <p>Mark Hughes yesterday rejected criticism of his Manchester City team's recent defending as he set his sights on ending the club's 34-year wait for silverware.</p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/guzan-heroics-see-villa-through-1810604.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/guzan-heroics-see-villa-through-1810604.html <p>Superstitious Steve Bruce can't bring himself to watch penalties, and after watching the ineptitude with which his side performed from 12 yards, it's hardly surprising.</p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/bentley-too-powerful-for-everton-1810609.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/bentley-too-powerful-for-everton-1810609.html ]]> <p>Tottenham may have loftier ambitions this season but they still have a taste for the Carling Cup. Winners and beaten finalists in the last two seasons, Harry Redknapp's side shrugged off the disappointment of their weekend defeat against Stoke and made light work of an Everton side playing their third game in six days.</p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/nevilles-red-card-and-crowd-trouble-mar-united-victory-1810608.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/nevilles-red-card-and-crowd-trouble-mar-united-victory-1810608.html ]]> <p>Mark Robins may once have saved Alex Ferguson's bacon, but he was unable to give his old boss the Barnsley chop on a night of trouble on and off the pitch at Oakwell. </p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/carling-cup-roundup-rovers-shrug-off-swine-flu-woe-to-punish-peterborough-1810607.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/carling-cup-roundup-rovers-shrug-off-swine-flu-woe-to-punish-peterborough-1810607.html <p>A below-strength Blackburn Rovers shook off the illness besetting their squad to ease into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with a 5-2 home win over Peterborough United.</p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/moyes-warns-cahill-of-burnout-danger-1810398.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/moyes-warns-cahill-of-burnout-danger-1810398.html ]]> <p>Everton manager David Moyes has warned his Australian midfielder Tim Cahill he faces burn-out as he battles to lift the Toffees out of a sticky patch.</p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/tormentor-owen-fires-a-message-to-capello-1810610.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/tormentor-owen-fires-a-message-to-capello-1810610.html ]]> <p>Just a day after Fabio Capello described him as his "tormentor", Michael Owen kept up the pressure on England's manager to pick him with a superb goal in Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carling Cup last night. Not everything went to plan for United, though, as Gary Neville was sent off for serious foul play after he was deemed to have made a high tackle on Adam Hammill. </p> FA & League Cups Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/barnsley-can-shock-manchester-united-insists-moore-1810272.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/barnsley-can-shock-manchester-united-insists-moore-1810272.html <p> Darren Moore is looking forward to tonight's Carling cup match against Manchester United with almost messianic zeal. To rally the team for the big game against the champions the 35 year old Barnsley defender, who signed for the club last year, has been coaching the younger lads on what to expect. </p> FA & League Cups Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:03:58 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/aquilani-in-line-for-liverpool-debut-1810262.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/aquilani-in-line-for-liverpool-debut-1810262.html ]]> <p> Alberto Aquilani could make his Liverpool first-team debut in the Carling Cup tie at Arsenal tomorrow. </p> FA & League Cups Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:42:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/redknapp-wants-pavlyuchenko-to-prove-worth-1810142.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/redknapp-wants-pavlyuchenko-to-prove-worth-1810142.html ]]> <p> Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has told Roman Pavlyuchenko to prove he is worth a regular starting place when he features in tonight's Carling Cup clash against Everton. </p> FA & League Cups Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:28:38 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/glenn-moore-league-cup-in-vintage-form-as-it-turns-50-1809975.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/glenn-moore-league-cup-in-vintage-form-as-it-turns-50-1809975.html <p>For a competition that was written off at the very start, and looked doomed anew a decade ago, the Football League Cup is in rude health as it marks its 50th running by racking up sell-out crowds from London to Yorkshire this week.</p> FA & League Cups Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/mark-robins-has-sir-alex-thanked-me-for-saving--his-skin-no-1809976.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/mark-robins-has-sir-alex-thanked-me-for-saving--his-skin-no-1809976.html ]]> <p>There are sportsmen who, however unfairly, become known for one momentary incident in their lives. Eric Hollies spent a quarter of a century bowling leg spin for Warwickshire but only one of his 2,323 wickets is ever remembered: the last ball that Don Bradman ever faced in Test cricket, which dismissed him for a duck. Hollies even called his autobiography, The Hand that Bowled Bradman.</p> FA & League Cups Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/blackburn-hit-with-third-swine-flu-case-1809652.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/blackburn-hit-with-third-swine-flu-case-1809652.html ]]> <p> Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that a third member of his squad has come down with swine flu ahead of tomorrow's fourth round Carling Cup tie against Peterborough. </p> FA & League Cups Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:57 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/robins-i-saved-fergies-job-but-there-will-be-no-favours-1809100.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/robins-i-saved-fergies-job-but-there-will-be-no-favours-1809100.html ]]> <p>Picture the scene on Tuesday night at Oakwell, after a much-changed Manchester United side beat Barnsley 2-1 in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson, mellowed by the result and perhaps a glass or two of good red wine, leans across the table in Mark Robins' office.</p> FA & League Cups Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100