Recaps

Recaps: Ipswich Shocks Arsenal, Liverpool Nightmare Continues

Carling Cup Semifinal First Leg: Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal

Ipswich Town pulled off one of the shocks of the season, as the club in crisis defeated the EPL big boys just days after receiving a 7-0 drubbing from Chelsea and firing their manager.

A well-taken goal on the break from Tamas Priskin won it for the hosts in the 78th minute, sending a capacity crowd at Portman Road into delirium. The result was well deserved for the underdogs, who outplayed a close to full strength Arsenal Squad and looked the more likely of the two sides to score throughout much of the match.

The Carling Cup was once a competition where Arsene Wenger has chosen to feature his young players. That has not been the case this year, as he and AFC are hungrier than ever to win their first trophy since '05. That showed with the starting lineup, which featured the top center back pairing of Djourou and Koscielny, Fabregas and Wilshere in the midfield, while Arshavin and Walcott got the starts on the wings and Bendtner remained in the lineup up front after starting on the weekend. Denilson slid into defensive midfield to replace Alex Song, while Kieran Gibbs subbed in for Gael Clichy at left back and Eboue started on the right to replace the suspended Bacary Sagna.

With a fine lineup at his disposal, the Gunners got off to a flying start before faltering progressively over the first 45 minutes. Some fine passing allowed them to penetrate the Ipswich box several times over the first few minutes, but they were unable to get on the end of anything.

Then the Blues fought back, keeping the visitors out of their final third and looking more and more dangerous on the attack. But they struggled to find the quality to create a real chance, and were forced to hold their collective breaths when Theo Walcott had two opportunities in the 33rd and 34th minutes. He opted to pass across the box to Fabgreas on the first chance, but the pass was just in front of the captain. Then he took one nicely out of the air before his left footed shot was easily stopped by Fulop.

Ipswich looked the more likely to score in the final ten minutes of the half, and the Gunners looked rattled. Connor Wickham's cross sailed just over the head of David Norris late on in the first half, and any contact from the skipper probably would have done the job.

Arsenal tried to restore their grip on the game to begin the second half. Fabregas opened up the second 45 minutes strongly after a dreadful first half. His ball over the top found Arshavin behind the defense. However, the Russian's shot from a few steps inside the box was at a tough angle, and his left-footed strike sailed well over.

But the night was to belong to Ipswich. And they quickly reasserted themselves. The Blues had two crosses cleared away in the 52nd minute, and Djourou managed to block a shot from Connor Wickham soon after.

Wickham nearly scored a surprising opener for the hosts, creating space for hhimself from 25 yards before curling his shot just wide of the far post.

Fabregas' nightmare evening continued, as an awful giveaway gave Mark Kennedy the ball at midfield, and his subsequent chip would have beaten Szczesny but it lacked enough power, as the 20-year old was able to backtrack and make a comfortable save.

The Spaniard was at fault once again in the 59th when a lovely chip from Bendtner found him alone inside the box, but he tried to volley the ball across the goal with defenders bearing down on him when he perhaps could have settled and shot.

Priskin had a golden opportunity in the 62nd. Jaime Peters' long ball out of the back split the Arsenal center backs. But Priskin failed to control the bouncing ball, and Djourou was able to recover and clear for a corner from just outside the 6-yard box.

A poor clearance left Wickham open from distance moments later, but he scuffed his shot wide.

Fulop would make two crucial saves on Walcott over the final 20 minutes. First a nice one-two between the winger and Fabregas put him in behind the defense on the right, but Fulop quickly cut off the angle and then saved after Walcott attempted to chip him.

Fabregas missed the Gunners' biggest chance of the match in the 77th. Substitute Alex Song played Gibbs down the left side, and the youngster's cross just missed the head of an onrushing Chamakh before falling right to Fabregas inside the 6-yard box with the goal at his mercy. But he reacted slowly, and the ball bounced off his knee and over the goal.

Ipswich would make Walcott and Fabregas pay for their miscues soon after, taking a shock 1-0 lead in the 78th.

An awkward turnover from Denilson fell to Colin Healy, who quickly found Priskin behind the defense. This time the Hungarian took his chance brilliantly, taking several touches and holding off Djourou before sliding the ball low past Szczesny and into the far corner.

Arsenal looked dangerous in the final ten minutes. However, they failed to break through against a heroic Ipswich Defense.

But there were chances.

First a fine touch inside the 18 from Chamakh set up a shot on his left foot and Fulop spilled the strike momentarily before pouncing just in time.

Walcott was played through and had a similar one-on-one to his earlier attempt from the right side of the box, but Fulop once again saved his try to chip.

Ipswich had the final chance of the match when a fantastic punt from Fulop landed on the feet of Carlos Edwards down the right wing. He advanced into the box but saw his shot saved from an acute angle.

EPL: Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool

Conditions continued to worsen for Liverpool, as they suffered their tenth loss of the season, and fourth time in five games.

It all started so promisingly in Kenny Dalglish's first Premiership match in charge. Fernando Torres opened up the scoring in just the third minute, blasting a shot top shelf at a difficult angle from the right side of the box.

But the home side equalized nine minutes later when Gary Taylor-Fletcher got behind the Liverpool defense down the middle, and slotted past Pepe Reina.

Blackpool won it in the 69th. After Liverpool cleared their lines from a corner, a long ball into the box found the ball of Ian Evatt, who headed across goal to a wide open D.J. Campbell, who finished well from close-range.

The win saw the Tangerines surpass Liverpool in the table, upping their point total to 28, which is good for ninth place. Meanwhile, the Reds' nightmare season continues, they now sit in 13th place, just four points above the relegation zone.