Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is hoping a refreshed Benni McCarthy can fire Rovers all the way to the first FA Cup final at the rebuilt Wembley stadium after the South African striker dumped Arsenal out of the competition.
Cape Town-born McCarthy came off the bench to score a stunning solo goal to earn Rovers a last-ditch 1-0 win over the Gunners in their FA Cup 5th round replay on Wednesday, setting up a quarter-final clash at home to Manchester City. McCarthy collected the ball wide on the left, cut inside Philippe Senderos and curled a stunning right foot shot beyond Manuel Almunia with three minutes left, lifting his goalscoring tally to 16 since he joined Blackburn from FC Porto last year.
Hughes said McCarthy's display had vindicated his decision to rest the South African forward in recent matches.
PHOTO: EPA
"It was a fantastic goal by Benni and I can't wait to see it again. It was a goal of class and quality and that is what he has shown all season," Hughes said.
"It was nice to be able to bring him on as an impact player and a good decision by the manager even if I say so myself. It was certainly a goal that deserved to win any game. He is as good as anyone I have seen in the way he is able to manipulate the ball onto his foot and work a strike at goal," he said.
"Of late his performances haven't had that spark and that's understandable because he has played a hell of a lot of games for me. He has been magnificent since he came here, not only on the field but off it as well. He always has a smile on his face and I just thought he needed a break," Hughes said.
"He's responded in the right way and got on with his work and he has affected this game as an impact player from the bench and he has fulfilled his role tonight," he added.
With struggling Manchester City to come to Ewood Park, Hughes acknowledged his side were favorites to reach the semi-finals, before adding a warning about the perils of over-confidence.
"People will look at our record against City this season and think maybe we are favorites," he said. "But it's a one-off cup tie and the main thing is we are at home and we are very excited at the prospect."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger appeared more preoccupied with the Football Association (FA) charges against his own and Chelsea's players following last weekend's League Cup final.
Emmanuel Eboue has been charged with violent conduct, as has Arsenal favorite Cesc Fabregas.
Wenger called on Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard to clear the air.
"I just want him to say if Adebayor punched him or hit him. I just want him to say the truth," he said.
Wenger's claim that a match official has lied is certain to bring an angry response from the FA and the manager is likely to be called to provide an explanation.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two