Posted by Adam Johnson

Premier League and FA Cup Recap (April 16-17)

Birmingham 2-0 Sunderland

Sunderland’s terrible run of games continues as Birmingham passes them up in the league with this win. The away side at least made some good chances but it was goals from Sebastien Larsson and Craig Gardner that won it for Birmingham. The first one, a keeper and defender mix up; will really have Steve Bruce upset.

West Brom 1-3 Chelsea

Chelsea needs three points every time they go out for the rest of the season and against Hodgson’s West Brom it would not be easy. The home side even took the lead through a Peter Odemwingie chip but Chelsea would respond quickly. Didier Drogba leveled it then Salomon Kalou gave Chelsea the lead on a rebound from a Drogba shot. Both teams had opportunities but Chelsea would finish it off when Frank Lampard scored to make it 3-1. Oh, and Fernando Torres put a ball in the back of the net, but he was offside.

Blackpool 1-3 Wigan

Blackpool’s dream season is looking more and more like it will end in relegation after another loss. Hugo Rodallega gave Wigan the lead and Charles N’Zogbia doubled that lead at halftime. Wigan would even get a third on a wicked deflection that would go down as an own goal. DJ Campbell would get one back but it was mere consolation. Blackpool drops into the drop zone.

Everton 2-0 Blackburn

Everton just keeps on winning. David Moyes has them flying right now and in the driver’s seat for a top seven finish. Leon Osman scored a rocket and Leighton Baines a penalty to get the three points for Everton.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

The Hammers stay close to the relegation zone with this loss. They did take the lead through Robbie Keane but Villa came back. Darren Bent scored from a Luke Young cross to tie it before halftime. The all-England attack of Bent, Stuart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor is looking impressive and it was Agbonlahor who would eventually grad the winner for Aston Villa.

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (FA Cup Semi)

It was two Manchester clubs at Wembley on Saturday, meeting up to see who would play in the final next month. A treble was on the line for United while City just wants a trophy. Both teams carved out chance in the first half but it was two misses from Berbatov that United would rue. It was 0-0 at the break and after a little scramble from United’s defense it was Yaya Toure who came away with the ball and then went around Vidic before finishing under Van der Saar’s legs. It would prove to be the games only goal and City finished the game off easily after Paul Scholes was sent off for the Red Devils. It will be Manchester City in a final at Wembley.

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Well, I must admit I have never really seen anything like this game. Not much happened through 96 minutes, aside from a few bookings, and then things got interesting. Arsenal was awarded a penalty when Cesc Fabregas was brought down in the box, Robin van Persie converted and the Gunners celebrated wildly. Liverpool was not done, however. A scramble around the 18 yard box led to a free kick right on the edge which Luis Suarez blasted into the wall. As the ball was deflected in the air it fell to Lucas who had his back to goal and was stupidly brought down by Eboue of Arsenal. Penalty to Liverpool! With over 100 minutes gone Dirk Kuyt blasted home the penalty to earn a point and probably ruin the remaining hopes of Arsenal’s title challenge.

Stoke City 5-0 Bolton (FA Cup semi)

Sunday afternoon was dreamland for Stoke fans and a nightmare for Bolton supporters. Everything that could have gone right did so for Stoke. Matthew Etherington got the scoring going with a beautiful strike, then it was Robert Huth scoring before Kenwyne Jones made it 3-0 at the break. You would think Bolton would be the ones to come out strong but instead it was Stoke who added to the lead with two class goals from John Walters. 5-0 is how it finished and Tony Pulis’ men deserved every one of them. This win sets up a meeting with Man City next month for the FA Cup.

It was a small weekend in the Prem. due to the FA Cup semis but don’t forget about Newcastle v. Man Utd on Tuesday and Chelsea v. Birmingham and Tottenham (with newly crowned PFA player of the year Gareth Bale) v. Arsenal on Wednesday. Those should be good.