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On Tuesday, two replay matches of the Football Association Cup (FA Cup) sixteenth final took place in England. Both matches were very intense, and it took extra time and even penalty shootout to determine the winners.
"Middlesbrough" 2 - 2 "Bristol City" (Penalty shootout – 5-4) 23‘ [0 – 1] David Noble 69‘ [1 – 1] Mark Viduka 102‘ [2 – 1] Yakubu Ayegbeni 117‘ [2 – 2] Jamie McCombe
In the 96th minute, Yakubu Ayegbeni ("Middlesbrough") missed a penalty kick.
The hosts of the Riverside started the match very weakly. The third tier team "Bristol City" controlled the field and quickly scored a goal. In the 22nd minute, after a pass from Alex Russell from 12 yards, David Noble scored accurately. "Middlesbrough" only managed to hit the goal area once in the first half.
After the break, the hosts' game noticeably improved with the appearance of striker Mark Viduka on the field. He equalized with a precise header after a cross from Stewart Downing.
"Middlesbrough" continued to attack and could have secured victory during regular time, but in the 81st minute, S. Downing hit the post.
At the beginning of extra time, the hosts' forward Yakubu Ayegbeni was fouled by opponent Jamie McCombe in the penalty area. The injured player took the penalty kick, but it was saved by "Bristol City" goalkeeper Chris Weale.
Y. Ayegbeni redeemed himself six minutes later by repeating Adam Johnson's shot that Weale had saved – making it 2-1.
"Bristol City" did not give up and continued to try to save the match. However, their long-range shots were inaccurate, and high crosses into the penalty area were neutralized by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer or defenders. Meanwhile, Y. Ayegbeni responded with several dangerous shots.
Nevertheless, the visitors' persistence paid off. In the 117th minute, after a cross from Scott Murray, defender Jamie McCombe scored an equalizing goal from 12 yards, having previously conceded a successful penalty kick in his own team's goal.
The evening ended with a penalty shootout. And here, there was no shortage of drama.
"Boro" goalkeeper M. Schwarzer saved the first attempt from Phil Jevans. The next eight shots from both teams' footballers were accurate. The result was 4-4. The hosts could have secured victory, but once again the crucial penalty could not be scored... Y. Ayegbeni hit the post. The chance fell to "Bristol City". However, M. Schwarzer played excellently again, saving Craig Woodman's attempt, and soon after, Adam Johnson calmly hit the bottom right corner of the goal and snatched a dramatic victory for the hosts – 5-4.
In the next round of the cup tournament, "Middlesbrough" will face the leaders of the Championship, West Bromwich Albion, over the weekend.
"Norwich" 3 – 2 "Blackpool" 37‘ [0 – 1] Michael Jackson 78‘ [1 – 1] Darren Huckerby 95‘ [2 – 1] Darren Huckerby 108‘ [2 – 2] Shaun Barker 112‘ [3 – 2] Chris Martin
In another match, Championship team "Norwich" faced League One representatives "Blackpool".
The guests scored the first goal just before the end of the first half when Michael Jackson scored with a header after a corner kick.
In the second half, both teams exchanged dangerous attacks. However, it was "Norwich" who managed to score – Darren Huckerby sent the ball into the net from a long-range shot.
This player scored a goal in the fifth minute of extra time, once again hitting the target accurately from outside the penalty area.
In the 108th minute, Shaun Barker equalized from close range, but a few minutes later, the hosts regained the lead through Chris Martin.
The score remained 3-2 until the end of extra time, and "Norwich" advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals, where they will face the challenging opponent Chelsea from London.
On Wednesday, there will be another replay match of the sixteenth final between "Bolton" and "Arsenal" (the first match ended 1-1).
