Supersub Romelu out to impress
MANCHESTER UNITED have been a revelation in their first four games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
They have won all of them and even managed a clean sheet in the 2–0 win at Newcastle.
Romelu Lukaku scored – his second goal from the bench under Ole who insisted the big Belgian could fit in alongside Marcus Rashford
But there is no question that Lukaku is behind the youngster in the Old Trafford pecking order and he may have to get used to the supersub role. Lukaku – and Alexis Sanchez – should get the chance to impress as United entertain Reading in today’s early kick-off in the FA Cup Third round.
The Reds are on their way to Dubai for “warm weather training” after the game and are 8-13 to be heading there after winning to nil. The Third round is the Cup’s glamour day when the smaller clubs get a crack at the biggest names. But what chance of an unfancied club going on to Wembley glory? The facts are against it – only three sides outside the ‘big six’ have lifted the FA Cup since 1995 – Everton (1995), Portsmouth
(2008) and Wigan (2013). BetVictor offer 2-7 that one of the six does it again in May with
5-2 any other side lifts the trophy. The draw has largely been kind to the top clubs although Liverpool face a tricky trip to Molineux on Monday. TO WIN THE FA CUP
Man City ............... 4-1 Liverpool ............... 6-1 Spurs ..................... 7-1 Chelsea ................ 7-1 Man United ............ 7-1 Arsenal ................. 8-1 Manchester United to beat Reading to nil ............. 8-13
Go to BetVictor.com Arsenal travel to Blackpool this evening and are unbeaten in their last nine games – and they knocked the Tangerines out of the League Cup at the Emirates.
Blackpool have lost three of their four league fixtures over the festive period and scored just once.
Arsenal have played well on the road – other than their Anfield nightmare – and I cannot see a shock.
One glimmer of hope is that the Gunners went out out of the competition – as holders – at this stage last year to Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal are 2-7 with BetVictor to win in 90 minutes with the draw 9-2 and a home win 9-1.
There will be no replays – extra-time and penalties only – from the fifth round onwards.
Manchester City showed they were not going to let go of their Premier League title without a fight by beating Liverpool 2-1 in a high-quality, high-intensity game at the Etihad on Thursday.
I thought it was significant that in City skipper Vincent Kompany’s postmatch interview he spoke of Liverpool being a “very physical and very aggressive side” and City certainly matched that aggression.
Many Reds fans may think Kompany was fortunate to avoid a red card for that tackle on Mo Salah.
Liverpool still have a four-point lead over City at the top of the table and remain 8-11 favourites to win the Premier League for the first time with City 5-4.
The Reds look to have only have one potentially difficult game in the second half of the season at Old Trafford and they were outstanding in defeat at the Etihad. That four-point cushion could be pivotal.