Barnsley 1-0 Chelsea
Not to be. For large periods of the game, the Reds not only came forward, but looked like scoring. Brian Howard was first to try and test Carlo Cudicini but his shot was deflected wide.
Kayode Odejayi had the game of his life. Bullying England skipper John Terry and knocking Ricardo Carvalho left right and centre. He won flick ons, and they went somewhere, and his ball control was excellent. I'm not sure what was put in his pre-match Lucozade, but it worked a treat!
Chelsea looked dangerous on occasions with Joe Cole pulling their strings. That gives me an excuse to talk about the Reds defence which was the best I have ever seen. Marciano van Homoet, Stephen Foster, Dennis Souza and Rob Kozluk, you four deserve a knighthood!
Heroic blocking from Kozluk denied Chelsea on a couple of occasions, Souza and Foster looked impregnable and Marciano van Homoet supported Devaney brilliantly.
The Reds came closest in the first half when a deep Hassell (who by the way, was amazing) free kick was nodded down by Foster and Ferenczi hooked the ball wide, clipping the outside of the post on it's way out.
Seconds later, Odejayi burst through on goal but his shot was saved by the legs of Cudicini.
Seconds later, Odejayi burst through on goal but his shot was saved by the legs of Cudicini.
Into the second half and it was kind of like the Alamo in phases of the second half. Chelsea started meaningful counter attacks and came close to scoring when Joe Cole hammered wide under pressure from Foster. Kozluk went harshly into the book for a late tackle on Belletti.
It was 66 minutes when the goal came, and what a good goal it was. Brian Howard won the ball from the disappointing Essien, and fed Ferenczi. The big Hungarian laid the ball out to Martin Devaney, in a very similar position to which he swung in a cross for Stephen Foster to equalise at Anfield.
A lot went through my mind at this point. Thoughts such as "Come on Disco, lets have what we had at Anfield". Marciano van Homoet made a brilliant overlapping run to pull Bridge wide giving Devaney a free cross. And what a cross it was. Whipping it in right footed towards the back post where Kayode Odejayi lurked.
On the form he was in, he was the best man for it to go to as he rose and planted his header past Carlo Cudicini cue true and utter ecstasy at Oakwell. Kayode scored his first goal since the 2-0 win over Scunthorpe on the 15th of September 2007, his first in 28 games, and his second of the season.
From here on in, the Reds were back in numbers. At one point all of the Reds players were back in their own 18 yard box helping out. An amazing defensive display from all involved.
In the 79th minute, Odejayi was withdrawn and Oakwell stood to congratulate the big Nigerian, who was had a lot of stick since Christmas and has finally gone some way to redeeming himself. More than redeemed himself really. HE is a hero in Barnsley at the moment.
Chelsea piled forward in numbers with Pizarro and Kalou on, going 4 up top. The Reds defended like warriors and when the final whistle sounded, scenes of sheer joy and delirium began at Oakwell and carried on long into the night.
A staggering cup run which could well have ended in the 3rd round at the hands of Blackpool but two late goals saw that the Reds progressed. They now go into the semi-finals for the first time in 96 years, the year 1912, in which the Cup was lifted by Arthur Fairclough's men.
And of course, the Semis are being played at Wembley this year. A magnificent venue that the Reds will be gracing for the first time since it's re-development. I for one cannot wait.
UP THE REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Player Ratings
Luke Steele: A spectator! Had barely anything to do due to the heroics of the four boys in front of him. 7
Marciano van Homoet: A very good performance indeed. Got forward and supporter Devaney and made the decoy run to allow Devaney to cross for Odejayi's goal. 8
Stephen Foster: Immense. Enough said. 9
Dennis Souza: Also immense. Enough said! 9
Rob Kozluk: Even more immense than the central pair! A fantastic block from Joe Cole and a savig header off the line with Anelka lurking. A fine performance. 9
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: He was everywhere! He was playing as a fifth defender towards the end. Really mucked in for the cause. 8
Brian Howard: Seemed a bit subdued to me. He did work very hard though and did have a chance to put us 1-0 up early on. 8
Bobby Hassell: Who needs Anderson!?!?! Bobby was superb in the holding role, really put himself about and performed impeccably. 9
Martin Devaney: Another dream cross for the goal. Just for that cross it's a 9
Kayode Odejayi: Who is this impostor?!?! Kayode played like a man possessed. Won everything in the air, was excellent on the ground and got his goal that everyone wanted to see him get. Brilliant Kay, now carry that on!!! 10
Istvan Ferenczi: Had a good chance to put the Reds in front in the first half and worked his socks off as per usual. Didn't look as dangerous as Odejayi however. 7
Subs
Sam Togwell (for Devaney) Worked as a defender and did very well. Backed up Hassell and kept Chelsea at bay. 7
Sam Togwell (for Devaney) Worked as a defender and did very well. Backed up Hassell and kept Chelsea at bay. 7
Michael Coulson (for Odejayi): Replaced the hero of the hour Kayode and did a lot of donkey work. I sometimes see Coulson walking round Scarborough, what a transformation in fortunes for him in this last few months. 7
Scarborough Tyke's MOTM: Every one of these boys deserves all the awards in the world for that team performance. From back to front the Reds were incredible. To single a man out I have to say the matchwinner, Kayode Odejayi.