just when you think its gone it comes back in shocking form
Harry Redknapp's FA Cup curse struck Manchester United again as Portsmouth won a dramatic quarter-final clash.
Sulley Muntari scored the winner from the spot with 12 minutes left after Milan Baros was upended by United's substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. Kuszczak, who replaced Edwin van der Sar at half-time, was sent off and Rio Ferdinand took over in goal.United went close to scoring, Sylvain Distin denying Michael Carrick on the line and Patrice Evra hitting a post.
The surprise win took Portsmouth back to Wembley for the first time since 1939 for the semi-finals and ended United's hopes of repeating their 1999 treble triumph. For Redknapp, who has previously knocked United out of the FA Cup with both Bournemouth and West Ham, it was another victory over Sir Alex Ferguson to savour. Paul Scholes, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves all returned to United's starting line-up after the Champions League victory over Lyon - and they met with stubborn and well-organised Portsmouth resistance. United were understandably furious after six minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly bundled over by Distin as he raced into the area, but referee Martin Atkinson ignored the appeals, to the clear disgust of Ferguson. Pompey rarely threatened, but United keeper Van der Sar was in some discomfort as he scrambled to save a long-range shot from Niko Kranjcar. United missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock after 18 minutes when Tevez and Wayne Rooney led a counter-attack, but the England striker was blocked by defender Sol Campbell. The rebound fell for Tevez, but Glen Johnson made a superb recovery to block his goal-bound effort on the line. James had been well-protected by his defence, but he needed to be sharp to drop to his right and save a low drive from Tevez. It had been a very satisfactory first half for Portsmouth, but United had a problem in the interval when Van der Sar withdrew through injury and was replaced by Kuszczak. Pompey almost came unstuck in a goalmouth scramble after 57 minutes, when Tevez was blocked by defenders on the line and Ronaldo's subsequent shot snaked just inches wide. United were taking control, and Evra should have done better than cross behind Tevez after being sent clear into the area by Rooney. Ferguson made a double change after 67 minutes, sending on Anderson and Carrick for Tevez and Hargreaves. And Carrick was the central figure in a remarkable escape for Portsmouth three minutes later. Ronaldo's brilliant back-heel played him into area and a goal looked certain as he rounded James, but Distin made a miraculous recovery to make the clearance. United were turning up the heat, with James stretching to make a superb save from Evra, turning his shot on to the post. After surviving a second-half siege, Portsmouth broke out to take the lead in remarkable circumstances. Kranjcar broke down the right and played in substitute Baros, who was felled by Kuszczak. The Pole was shown the red card by referee Atkinson despite the fact that Rooney and Anderson were patrolling the goal-line.Ferdinand went in goal as replacement, but he stood no chance as Muntari drilled home home the penalty with the minimum of fuss.
and an even bigger shocker
Kayode Odejayi's second-half header dumped holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup and gave Championship side Barnsley a shock place in the semi-finals.
The striker netted the winner from six yards out after connecting with Martin Devaney's superb right-wing cross. Odejayi also had a shot saved by Carlo Cudicini, while team-mate Istvan Ferenczi's half-volley hit a post.Chelsea's best chance fell to Joe Cole early in the second half. He struck his angled shot wide from close range.
The last time Barnsley reached the semi-finals was in 1912 - and they went on to win their one and only FA Cup that season.If they continue to show the sort of desire that has seen them overcome Premier League giants Liverpool and now Chelsea, then few would bet against them picking up their second title.
The home side's good play started at the back, with Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka often left redundant by Stephen Foster and Dennis Souza, who gradually became adept at forcing the lone marksman out wide. At the other end, Tykes frontman Odejayi was a huge nuisance to the visitors, using his bulk well while holding and releasing intellingently. The only concern for the home support was that he had not scored since September. But he came close to ending that barren run during a 60-second spell that saw Simon Davey's side squander two good opportunities. The first fell to forward Ferenczi, whose volley struck the foot of Cudicini's left-hand upright. Moments later, Odejayi forced his way into the area only to see his low angled shot pushed away by the Chelsea shot-stopper.Avram Grant's men were limited to half-chances, with Cole twice denied by the impressive Robert Kozluk, who got his body in the way on both occasions to prevent the England international from netting.
Straight after the break, Cole was presented with his best opportunity to hand the visitors the lead, but once again his nemesis Kozluk did enough to force the midfielder to screw his shot wide from eight yards. Chelsea cranked up the pressure in the second half, knowing that a replay would not benefit a team still fighting on two other fronts. But try as hard as they did, the team lacked ideas and failed to carve open a stubborn Barnsley defence, even with the introduction of attacking duo Salomon Kalou and Claudio Pizarro. And as Chelsea pressed forward, space was left at the back. That space was exploited on the right wing by Devaney, who delivered a stunning ball to the far post for Odejayi to nod past the hapless Cudicini.The Barnsley penalty area resembled the Alamo in the final 15 minutes, but somehow the home side held firm to book their passage into the last four.
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