This Week In Football History: Rooney loves an FA Cup wonder goal

Wayne Rooney - A consistent scorer of sublime goals

Wayne Rooney has scored some incredible goals for Manchester United. And today Adrian North takes us back to 2005 and 2007 and two of Rooney's most outrageous goals, both in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

January 29, 2005 - Man Utd 3-0 Middlesbrough, Old Trafford: Rooney does love an FA Cup wonder goal.

Here's something I had forgotten until I began researching for this week's stories - Wayne Rooney has never won the FA Cup. Five Premier League titles, two League Cups, and a Champions League medal, but never the FA Cup. His two runners-up medals from 04/05 and 06/07 have probably long since been chucked away or pawned off.

It may be some consolation to Rooney however, that despite losing to Arsenal on penalties in 2005 and to a Didier Drogba inspired Chelsea in 2007, he scored some of those seasons' greatest goals, all in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

Rooney, who has scored a few half decent goals throughout his career, seems to have a particular love for the FA Cup. And it's not the 17 goals in 30 Cup appearances that are necessarily that impressive, as opposed to the quality of the goals he has scored in the competition. I seem to remember a brilliant curling effort against Villa from 2008 (that I can't find online), and in 2007 he scored this screamer against Watford in the semi-finals.

But on January 29, 2005 Rooney scored a couple goals that would see him not only his get his first taste of an FA Cup wonder goal but also of a Goal of the Month and Goal of the Season award. After a famous replay with non-league Exeter City in the Third Round United would make steady progress in the 2005 FA Cup handing out thrashings to Boro, Everton, Southampton and Newcastle before battering Arsenal for a goalless 120 minutes and losing to Patrick Vieira's last kick as a Gunner.

The game against Boro was perhaps United's most complete performance of that cup run and after John O'Shea scored an early goal Old Trafford bared witness to two moments of brilliance from the still 19-year-old baby faced scouser. Midway through the second half Rooney delightfully chipped the wandering Mark Schwarzer.

And 10 minutes from time he would smash in 04/05's Goal of the Season with this volley. (There is something about goals that travel from the goalkeeper to the opposition's net without touching the ground that is unexplainably awesome)

Rooney, just halfway through his first season as a United player had begun to cement his legacy, and I hate to use this clich, but I'll make an exception for Rooney, as not just a great goal scorer, but as a scorer of great goals. He is a player who long after he retires will never be analysed statistically, but rather in the context of his bicycle kick against City, this volley against Boro, his curler against Arsenal, the lob against West Ham, and then there is this chip, from January 27, 2007, again in the FA Cup Fourth Round, this time against Porstmouth.

Rooney, who had started on the bench for the tie, came on with half an hour to go and tapped United ahead after 75 minutes. It is his second goal however that encapsulates everything that's brilliant about the man. He's not just a scorer of insane 500mph volleys or lobs from the halfway line, but also a player of finesse and guile. And to me there's something just a bit more beautiful about a delicate chip than a rocket of a volley.

Transfer Talk: Jose moves for Real talisman

Will Sergio Ramos be swapping Real Madrid for Chelsea?

Could Sergio Ramos be on his way to Stamford Bridge? This is the big story coming out of today's transfer talk.

Manchester United have been knocked back in their attempts to sign Gareth Bale with the Welshman saying he is happy at Real Madrid.

The Red Devils were believed to be pushing for a summer move for the former Tottenham star, who has been linked with a return to the Premier League on more than one occasion since his move to Spain.

Bale managed to help Los Blancos secure the Champions League crown last season and the capital outfit currently sit at the top of the La Liga table.

The Wales international has now been keen to clarify his position at Real and says he has no interest at present to join United and just wants to keep improving at the Bernabeu.

Bale told radio station Cadena Ser: "I can't imagine myself at Manchester United. In a recent interview they asked me if I was unhappy at Real and I told them I'm really happy here.

"I've got several years left on my contract, I'm enjoying myself, we're winning trophies and I want to keep doing that here at Real."

Staying with news concerning Real, the Daily Express is suggesting Chelsea could make a move for Los Blancos defender Sergio Ramos.

The Spain centre-back could be tempted to work under former Real boss Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge but the European Champions are believed to be keen to extend Ramos' stay in Madrid and will work hard to keep hold of their talisman.

Moving on to news from the north east and Newcastle United playmaker Moussa Sissoko says he is happy at St James' Park, amid speculation Paris Saint-Germain are interested in his services.

The Parisian outfit are believed to have made Sissoko one of their prime January targets, with manager Laurent Blanc a keen admirer of the 25-year-old.

However Sissoko says he has no intentions to call time on his spell in the Premier League and is looking to develop as a player with the Magpies.

He was quoted by Sky Sports, saying: "My goal was to come to England because it was the championship that best matched my game and I do not think I am wrong.

"So I want to stay here and grow at one of the biggest clubs in England. I have a preference for the Premier League and I see myself staying here."

Premier League Stats Review: Chelsea can take giant stride towards title with home victory over City

Chelsea have a 100% record in home league games against the other big-six teams in Jose Mourinho's second spell

Andrew Atherley says forget Bradford and remember that Jose Mourinho's long-term home record gives Chelsea an excellent chance in Saturday's crunch clash...

Bradford proved in the most astonishing fashion that Chelsea are not unbeatable at home but the Blues still rate excellent value in Saturday's title showdown with Manchester City.

The FA Cup upset was one of those exceptions that prove the rule: in this case, the rule being that Jose Mourinho, and by extension Chelsea, is brilliant at getting home wins.

And because that brilliance does not wane even when the quality of opposition rises, Mourinho's teams almost always offer good value in the big matches. That is the case again on Saturday when Chelsea are available at 2.0621/20 to win the game.

In Mourinho's two spells with Chelsea, the overall home win rate in the Premier League is 80%. In the first spell, Chelsea were part of a big four and now they are part of a big six - taking results against those elite teams as a whole, the win rate is 81%.

That makes it clear Chelsea's performance levels do not dip against the best teams - while, of course, the odds available on a home win rise significantly.

It is also worth noting that Mourinho has a strong record against teams managed by Manuel Pellegrini, having won eight out of 12 (with two defeats) in their Real Madrid-Malaga and Chelsea-City head-to-heads. Mourinho has four wins and a draw with home advantage.

City, of course, are the toughest domestic opponent Chelsea will face at Stamford Bridge and clearly capable of winning on the right day. However, in his title-winning journey through Europe's major leagues - from Chelsea to Inter and Real Madrid, and back again - Mourinho has encountered consistent difficulty in the big matches only against peak-form Barcelona.

Even with City's undoubted quality, Chelsea are a good bet at the odds.

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The gap between West Brom and Tottenham is bigger than the odds indicate for Saturday's match at the Hawthorns, where the visitors are a solid wager on the Draw No Bet at around 1.910/11.

West Brom may well turn out to be one of the big improvers in the second half of the season under Tony Pulis but Tottenham have the potential to make further progress for Mauricio Pochettino.

The signs are there already, as Tottenham managed only 14 points from their first 11 league games under Pochettino - who at that time was under severe pressure - but took 23 from their second set of 11 matches.

Pochettino's team have lost only two of those last 11 league games (one of those defeats was away to Chelsea - the other was at Crystal Palace in Alan Pardew's first league game with the Eagles).

Saturday's match can be viewed as similar to the Palace encounter, with West Brom buoyed by Pulis's arrival (three wins and a draw from four matches), but Tottenham are well set up for this type of match-up.

This season Tottenham's away record against teams below them in the table is W5 D1 L1, which puts them exactly halfway to matching last season's record in that category (W10 D2 L2).

Even allowing for improvement from West Brom, it is unlikely they will show the form of a top-six side - and it is only in that category where Tottenham's loss rate rises significantly on the road.

With such a solid record in away games against the bulk of the Premier League, Tottenham are the form choice on the draw no bet.

Recommended Bets
Back Chelsea to beat Manchester City @ 2.0621/20 (1pt)
Back Tottenham on Draw No Bet v West Brom @ 1.910/11 (1pt)

2014/15 P/L

Staked: 56 pts
Returned: 59.17 pts
P/L: +3.17 pts

Australian Open Women's Betting: Keys to spoil Williams reunion party

Can Madison Keys put and to Venus' resurgence?

The semi-finals are taking shape in Melbourne and Abelson Info believe that only one of the Williams sisters will make the last four...

It has been 'Vintage Venus' this past week in Australia as the former world number one has turned back the clock to produce some impressive performances.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion is back in her first Grand Slam quarter-final since 2010 and she is excited at the prospect of taking on her sister in the next round.

However, standing in her way is an emerging threat from the USA and Madison Keys is thoroughly enjoying her break-out tournament as she eyes her place in the final four.

The 19-year-old has already beaten the likes of Barthel, Kvitova and surprise star Brengle, and while this will likely be her toughest match of the tournament so far, she has the tools to prevail.

Venus is certainly playing some great tennis this week, but Keys appears to have added consistency to her game to go with her frightening power as she ripped off 38 winners last time out.

The teenager has stepped up her game and is playing some of her best tennis, and although Williams has experience on her side, there is a danger that she won't be able to cope with Keys' power shots given that her movement is not what it was once was.

Williams has also looked vulnerable at times despite the success she has enjoyed in this tournament, and we expect Keys to jump on the first chance she gets to dominate rallies and take the match to her opponent.

The pair have met once before and although Williams won in straight sets on that occasion, little can be taken from it given that it was almost two years ago and played on clay.

Back Keys to upset the odds and defeat Williams as she has shown she can deal with the nerves and continue to be the break-out star of the tournament.

With Ekaterina Makarova and Maria Sharapova contesting the first semi-final later this week, it remains to be seen if world number one Serena Williams will still be around to stay on a collision course with her Russian rival.

Williams has been troubled in the last two rounds with both Svitolina and Muguruza taking sets off her, but as all champions do, she showed a will to win to overcome those difficulties.

However, she will have her hands full again on Wednesday as Dominika Cibulkova continues her march towards an immediate return to the final of the Australian Open.

The Slovakian star finally ended Azarenka's tournament last time out, and she's had a really tricky route to the quarters after beating the likes of Hantuchova and Cornet too.

History does not favour her though with Williams winning all four of their previous meetings, and it does look as though it will take something special to deny the American.

Don't write Cibulkova off completely, but it is difficult to back her with any real enthusiasm given that it is Serena on the other side of the net.

Recommended Bets
Back Keys to beat V Williams @ 2.285/4
Back Cibulkova +5.5 Games vs S Williams @ 1.9720/21

***

Remember, you can watch the Australian Open for free on Betfair Live Video, as long as you have funds in your Betfair account...

Australian Wallet

Remember, to bet on any Aussie Open market you'll first need to transfer funds to your Australian Wallet. Find out more in this video.

Australian Open Women's Betting: A trio of outsiders to watch in week 2

Serena Williams is set for a tough fourth round match

As we move into the second week the race for the trophy is really hotting up, and James Boswell provides us with an update on who to follow against the book...

The problem with picking outsiders before the draw, as I'm sure anyone who followed my initial Australian Open tips will have noticed, is that they have a habit of being drawn against each other.

Such was the case for my two hottest tips, Garbine Muguruza and Timea Bacsinszky, both of who were playing some great stuff prior to their third round clash.

The shorter odds triumphed through Muguruza, although Bacsinszky didn't go down lightly, fighting hard in the second set to force a decider, only to be blown away by the younger girl's insatiable energy.

Here's hoping that Muguruza kept some of that energy in reserve though, as she now faces number one seed and number one in the world, the behemoth that is Serena Williams, in the fourth round early Monday morning. The tournament favourite had looked to be cruising prior to her third round encounter with another of my picks, Elina Svitolina.

The young Ukranian had the champ on the ropes at one stage, playing the set of her life to take the opener 6-4, but Williams slowly clicked into gear, and Svitolina couldn't hang with the sheer brutality by the end. It was a test for the tournament market leader earlier than she would've liked, and Muguruza won't be a walk in the park either.

The pair have met twice, once here at Melbourne Park two years ago and then famously at last year's Roland Garros. A young Muguruza was soundly beaten in their first meeting, but learnt her lesson and brilliantly took her revenge on the clay. With the upper hand in recent form and a youthful temerity that knows no fear, Muguruza has every chance and is clearly the value bet of the two still.

Away from my original picks, the bottom half of the draw has been remarkably docile in the way of shocks, with all four quarter finalists coming from the top 10 seeds. Only Ekaterina Makarova offers any value in that field, and I would expect the winner of her versus Simona Halep to be the finalist from the section, but there aren't any value bets to be had there.

For value, we look to the top half of the draw. The biggest outsider left is world number 64 Madison Brengle, who has strolled defiantly through the draw since knocking out 13th seed Andrea Petkovic in the first round. Beaten finalist in the Hobart warm up, Brengle brought good form to the tournament and has continued in that vein.

A big test comes now in the battle of the Madisons, facing her compatriot Madison Keys. Keys knocked out Petra Kvitova in the third round, in probably the biggest shock of the tournament so far, and it's surprising how often a big victory is followed by an ignominious loss against a lower seed; Brengle is the value.

Last but not least comes Dominka Cibulkova. Despite being 11th seed and last year's beaten finalist, the Slovak is consistently underrated and undervalued in the book.

She has been going well this year, and now meets Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round. The Belarussian is looking dangerous also, and holds a great head-to-head advantage, but her injuries in the last few years have prevented her from being her dominant best, and Cibulkova actually leads the head-to-head since 2012. It will be a scrap, but again Cibulkova represents the value.

Recommended Bets
Back Garbine Muguruza @ 36.035/1
Back Madison Brengle @ 310.0309/1
Back Dominika Cibulkova @ 55.054/1

Australian Wallet

Remember, to bet on any Aussie Open market you'll first need to transfer funds to your Australian Wallet. Find out more in this video.

This Week in Football History: John O'Shea's cheeky chip and the greatest goals scored by a defender.

John O'Shea celebrates scoring for Manchester United. He didn't score many but always seemed delightfully shocked when he did.

John O'Shea is a cult hero at Old Trafford and back in Ireland. Today Adrian North looks back on the unexpected nature of his best goal for United - scored 10 years ago this week - and ranks the top 10 goals by defenders...

February 1, 2005 - Arsenal 2-4 Man Utd, Highbury: Even O'Shea seemed to surprise himself here.

When David Luiz charged forward at the onrushing sight of Kroos, Kheidera, and Muller at 4-0 down this summer he must have known just how deep a grave he had dug for himself. And while Luiz gets a lot of flack for his often foolhardy marauding into the opposition's half, I am in the minority who sympathises with the goofy-haired Brazilian here.

The thing is, David Luiz thinks he is the next Fernando Hierro, when in reality he needs to realise he's just a poor man's John O'Shea. And until Luiz nutmegs a player of Figo's quality or plays in goal for 10 minutes, he will never reach the level of the mighty Irishman.

The sight of an old fashioned big bastard of a defender going for a once-in-a-career stroll into the oppositions box will always be one of football's funniest. Here is Tony Adams thinking he's Ronald Koeman and here is Carragher heartbreakingly falling short of one the great farewell stories in his final game at Anfield.

But one of my favourite moments of a defender ending up where he has no right to be occurred on February 1, 2005, in a cracker of a game between Arsenal and United at Highbury.

At the height of the Wenger-Fergie rivalry this was a game that included a whole host of vicious tackles, goals from Vieira, Bergkamp, Giggs, and Ronaldo, Roy Keane's infamous pre-game outburst, and a final goal from O'Shea that is everyone's favourite of the lot.

It's O'Shea bewildered look that sums the whole situation up. United, away to arch-rivals Arsenal, leading 3-2 with five minutes to go, and out of nowhere their substitute defensive midfielder decided to wander 70-yards out of position to casually chip Manuel Almunia. Fergie even looks to be holding back the laughter on the touchline.

It was football at its unpredictable and hilarious best, and in honour of O'Shea's moment of genius, here are my top 10 goals that were incredible for a defender:

(Players like Koeman and Roberto Carlos who made a habit of scoring screamers are obviously excluded)

10: Danny Rose v Arsenal, White Hart Lane, 2010.

Centre forwards rarely dream of scoring goals this good. Let alone left-backs making their debut at White Hart Lane in the north London derby.

9: Djimi Traore v Tigres, Century Link Field, 2013.

At first glance one could think this goal should be higher up in the list. But those of us you watched Djimi play know that this was rather a bit of a hit and hope, but to borrow that old FIFA clich, "If you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the raffle" - Well Djimi bought a ticket, and with it he scored only his second career goal.

8: John O'Shea v Arsenal, Highbury, 2005.

See above.

7: Graeme Le Saux v Brazil, Wembley, 1995.

Graeme Le Saux, while contributing many an assist from the left flank of Chelsea and England's attack never scored too many. But for he England he did score once, and only once. But what a goal this was.

6: Anton Ferdinand v Fulham, Upton Park, 2006

Ian Darke is perhaps unparalleled in the commentary booth when describing the unexpected. He's not bad in the John O'Shea clip but it's his rising vocals on the words "by Anton Ferdinand!" in this clip that capture not just how good Darke is at his job, but also the unexpected brilliance of this goal.

5: Tony Adams v Everton, Highbury, 1998.

Where O'Shea once found himself foraying into no man's land he was really just copying the master of charging centre-backs - Tony Adams.

"It's Tony Adams put through by Steve Bould. Can you believe it!!" yelled Martin Tyler as Adams smashed in the goal that saw Arsenal clinch their first Premier League title.

4: Edmilson v Costa Rica, Suwon World Cup Stadium, 2002

This game finished 5-2 to Brazil. I remember getting up a 7am to watch it which is one of the best decisions I've ever made. Nobody bothered to defend and one of Brazil's players, Barcelona's Edmilson, who never scored for his country before or since decided to roam up the pitch and smash this bicycle kick into the far corner.

3: Josimar v Northern Ireland and Josimar v Poland. Estadio Jalisco, Mexico, 1986

Remember Josimar? - The gangly right-back who was called up late to Brazil's 1986 squad after an injury to Edson. A man who looked so utterly out of place standing next to Zico, Socrates, and Careca. A man who one assumed would simply play a bit part to the talents of the geniuses surrounding him.

40 minutes into his debut he did this:

And in the next round against Poland he scored an equally impressive goal:

2: Philippe Mexes v Anderlecht, Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, 2012

Philippe Mexes, a man with a short fuse who is never too far away from a naughty headline, did this just a couple years ago, and only one week after Zlatan's more famous bicycle kick vs England too.

1: Lilian Thuram v Croatia, Stade de France, 1998

While these two goals scored by Lilian Thuram in the semi-finals of France 98 may not be as technically impressive as some on this list, they are by far the most important. Thuram, France's most capped player with an incredible 142 appearances over 14 years, is one of the best defenders to grace the modern game.

But in 141 out of the 142 games he played for Les Blues, he never came to close to scoring. The solitary time he did however was in a World Cup semi-final, in his home country, against underdogs Croatia after his own mistake had seen France fall 1-0 behind. Thuram went from national villain to hero in the space of 25 minutes by scoring twice, booking France a place in that infamous final against Brazil.

Premier League: Sunderland boss must turn radio down

Gus Poyet is making his job more difficult by riling Sunderland fans

Michael Lintorn is worried that Gus Poyet is in danger of talking his way out of the Sunderland job...

Gus Poyet was known as "The Radio" during his playing days due to his fondness for flapping his gums, and he has become even more outspoken since moving into management (well, head coach-ery to be more precise).

Fans might forgive that propensity for brashness when results are positive, but with Sunderland on a run of one Premier League win in 12 - and four losses in five - right as Poyet made comments that will be perceived as scapegoating the supporters, it isn't a healthy.

A month ago, the Uruguayan angrily proclaimed that "I am not going to be a head coach when it suits and a manager when it doesn't" in an attempt to pin the side's proximity to the relegation zone on the men doing the buying and selling.

The arrival of Jermain Defoe earlier in January prompted a change of mindset, with Poyet saying that: "I am telling you there are no excuses now. I am responsible, so whatever happens from this point onwards is down to me."

However, in the aftermath of a dreadfully-received 0-0 home FA Cup fourth-round draw with Fulham, the former Brighton boss presented what could quite easily be interpreted as an excuse: "There are players who need the famous 'confidence' word for them to be better and when the stadium is not happy, the players don't express themselves."

Couple that with a dig at Sunderland's last beloved squad - "Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips was kick and rush" - and some bold assumptions about the crowd - "I think the fans want Quinn and Phillips back" and "the fans are still living in the past" - and it no surprise that he has antagonised many.

It is important to clarify that he isn't faced with universal disapproval. Many believe that his feats last season, keeping the Black Cats up from bottom at Christmas and reaching the Capital One Cup final, should buy him time, and will realise that hastily dismissing Martin O'Neill and Paolo Di Canio didn't get them too far.

Additionally, while Poyet was clearly too critical of the Stadium of Light regulars, he did at least offer some concession by admitting that the negative response was his problem to fix. "It is up to me to find a solution to connect with the fans through better play... It is not nice to watch, I can understand that. All I can say is I promise you I will try to find a way to bring more excitement to the stadium."

Still, even if the 47-year-old still has his backers, the detractors are always more audible regardless of whether they are a minority, and he is working for a club who made mid-season managerial changes in each of the past three campaigns.

For that reason, 12.011/1 seems a massive price on Poyet being the next Premier League tactician to leave his position, with four other coaches available at shorter prices to be the next one jilted.

Sunderland host Burnley, who have lost just once in four league games, in their next match and the reaction will be ugly as an eyesore is another defeat is forthcoming. Poyet might have the answers, but every needless jab at the fans makes it less likely that he will be given the time to provide them.