FA Cup: Everton-Aston Villa

Goodison Park was witness to an explosive opening, the Toffees moved ahead in the fourth minute when a Cahill header from a corner was saved on the line by Stiliyan Petrov (handball) only for young Jack Rodwell to rifle the ball home. But Villa immediately went up the other end, Hibbert fouled Agbonlahor in the box and James Milner squeezed home the penalty under Howard.

An excited match swung in Everton’s favour once more after 24 minutes, Sidwell took out Anichebe in the box and Mikel Arteta was never going to miss from the spot. Everto killed the game midway through the second half, an Anichebe cross was missed by Curtis Davies and the lively Tim Cahill was on hand to slot in the killer third.

Juventus 1 - Sampdoria 1 (Serie A, February 15, 2009) Juve fell behind at home to Sampdoria after 10 minutes, Giampaolo Pazzini collected Cassano’s perfect pass to stroke the ball past Buffon. On the hour mark Ranieri’s men equalised thanks to a brave diving header from Amauri. Will this be the result that ended the Old Lady’s title dreams?

Genoa 3 - Fiorentina 3 (Serie A, February 15, 2009) Genoa broke the deadlock with Fiorentina with a superb team goal created by a series of one-touches passes that Thiago Motta eventually turned home. Two quick yellow cards for Biava saw the hosts reduced to 10 men, but they still managed to extend their lead after Raffaele Palladino benefitted from great work down the right from Mesto.

Diego Milito added a third from the spot after the break while Adrian Mutu replied with a penalty for the Viola. Mutu set up a nervous ending when he scored an 80th minute free-kick. And in the 93rd minute Mutu completed his hat-trick and a remarkable comeback with a lovely curler into the far corner.

Atalanta 3 - Roma 0 (Serie A, February 15, 2009) After a goalless first half, Atalanta blitzed Roma at the start of the second half. Daniele Capelli fired the hosts into a 52nd minute lead, which Cristiano Doni doubled four minutes later. Cristiano Doni completed a devastating seven minute spell with a solo third.

Chievo 0 - Catania 1 (Serie A, February 15, 2009) The Flying Donkeys suffered an early setback conceding an 11th minute penalty scored by Ledesma.

Ajax 2 - Feyenoord 0 (Eredivisie, February 15, 2009) In the battle of the former heavyweights in Holland, Ajax broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when poor Feyenoord defending allowed a free-kick to be converted by Thomas Vermaelen. In the final stage the visitors had Dwight Tiendalli sent off, and Urby Emanuelson rounded off a good day for the Amsterdammers with a second in injury time.

NEC 1 - Heerenveen 1 (Eredivisie, February 15, 2009) Heerenveen’s new Swedish import Viktor Elm continued to settle in fast at his new club heading in the opener at NEC after just three minutes. NEC levelled with a Youssef El Akchaoui penalty after keeper Vandenbussche flattened Janssen in the box.

PSG 2 - St. Etienne 1 (Ligue 1, February 14, 2009) Paul Le Guen’s PSG went ahead after 26 minutes when defender Mamadou Sakho headed home in a packed goalmouth but St Etienne hit back just seven minutes when Machado’s drive smashed against the bar and Dimitri Payet followed up to poke the ball into the empty net. Les Verts barely had time to celebrate before PSG’s Jeremy Clement headed home Ludovic Giuly’s cross.

Maritimo 1 - Amadora 0 (Superliga, February 14, 2009) Jose Ytalo well-struck shot just before the break was the difference between the sides.

OFI Crete 1 - Asteras Tripolis 1 (Greek Super League, February 15, 2009) Zdravko Popovic’s free-kick missed everyone to nestle in the net for Crete’s opener. But Marcelao brought the visitors level with an equalising penalty at the start of the second half.

Stelios Giannakopoulos’ return to Greek football with Larissa continues to prove profitable as the midfielder bagged his third goal for Larissa against Panthrakikos with a back post volley.