No week 33

Because of the International break, there will be no N&R FL scores from week 33

Man United - the most hated company in the UK

Ahead of bankers, estate agents, lawyers and insurance underwriters: Read here.

Week 32 review

Wolves won at Villa, which pushes the Villians into deep trouble. Blackpool threw away a two-goal lead at local rivals Blackburn. Berbatov got a late winner at home to Bolton and the inconsistent Everton beat Fulahm 2-1.

Stoke thrashed Newcastle, who look to have enough points to stay up. West Ham got a great draw at Tottenham and Wigan beat Birmingham and the Baggies put a dent in Arsenal's title hopes drawing 2-2, despite being ahead 2-0.

On Sunday in the big game Chelsea beat Citeh 2-0, and Liverpool won at Sunderland.

Photograph of the week

As a Charlton fan it has taken me a long time to forgive Scott Parker. He left us when tapped up by Chelsea as we lay 3rd in the Premiership at Christmas and Chelsea and their billions were in 7th. We ended up 7th, Chelsea 3rd and yes, it does seem like a million years ago. However, he never got a look in at Chelsea as managers were chopped and changed. He went to Newcastle suffered a serious injury but came back to be club captain but they also swapped managers like Panini cards and the Geordies were on a downward spiral. He then headed back south to Upton Park, had an early injury lay off but has in recent seasons as captain often led the Hammers as a one man team. He finally got his England chance (although he was capped whilst at Charlton) on Saturday against Wales and took it well and played despite losing his dad the same week. At last he looks to be given the recognition he deserves despite some poor career choices.

Mascot memories

Recently for my son's 11th birthday I treated him to the mascot package at Charlton. Sadly I have long brainwashed him so he loved every minute even though we are rubbish and of course lost to Exeter City. There were 25,000 people in The Valley that day, so that was quite a thrill running out to a packed stadium.

This is what I wrote on my blog afterwards:

Saturday's mascot experience was fantastic, and a real credit to the club. We've glossed over the middle 90 minutes in our family but to be fair kids don't dwell on results, and my son is still buzzing from the day. Hopefully most of those that came on Saturday for the first time or the first time in a while will remember the atmosphere and the experience as a whole and not the result. I know that I pick my games and therefore have to take the rough with the smooth.

Anyway our day started at 12 noon when we met the mascot co-ordinator Sue and we were given our excellent goodie bag. We waited for the other match mascots in a little waiting room by the players entrance and greeted each player as they showed up for 'work.' First we were taken to the Director's Lounge, which had just been overhauled and redecorated by the new owners, with the whole intention to move on from our past achievements and allow the club to embark on a new era, a theme that we heard a lot as we toured the west stand.

Overlooking the car park the Director's Lounge was unfussy and simple, a bit like like the trophy cabinet, although I will never tire of staring at the sparkly Play-Off and Championship trophies. Next we were up in the Director's Box complete with panoramic views of an empty Valley before the gates opened. Then down onto pitchside for some irresistible photo opportunities. The dugouts sadly showed signs of how tight the purse strings were previously. Half the seats were a faded and torn red leather, the other half replaced by the plastic seats one finds in the stands. A chirpy and huge Bob Bolder greeted us, Colin Walsh shook my hand and I'm in two minds whether to wash it this week and then there was Colin Powell patrolling the right wing, like he used to, who at any minute I expected to scream "keep off my grass."

Later just before kick I had a chance to catch up with Big Dave Lockwood and then I saw Colin Powell again and told him that 30 years previous he was my brother's favourite player when he was the mascot. Powell's face broke into a huge grin and he asked me to thank him. No, thank you Colin.

Sue took us around the inside corridors of the main stand stopping to explain photos, art work and honour boards. Then my son and the other mascots were taken off to finish their tour as my brother and I went for a pint in the Crossbars Lounge behind the goal.

We bought my son a red football from the club shop and he was armed with a marker pen as he went off with the other four mascots to tour the player parts of the stand, such as the Physio's Room and the Dressing Rooms. There he met all the players and his ball is covered in autographs.

Scott Wagstaff, each one of Saturday's five mascot's favourite player, was armed with jelly babies for the kids. Trouble is each one of the kids had to pick a second choice as Waggy was on the bench. My son already had a back-up plan and was paired up with Robbie Elliot. In a nice personal moment my son showed Chris Powell a photograph from the holiday we met him and his family on in 2002, and he wrote a treasured little message on the back of it. Later he greeted me with a big hug on the touchline just before kick-off.

At 2.15 the mascots joined the players out on The Valley turf for the pre-match warm up and a session with a coach, before going back in the tunnel to reappear with the teams and the officials to almost 25,000 fans and The Red, Red Robin at ten to three.

He loved every minute of it, so did my brother and I and a couple of mates that we had with us as well. According to my son, the players were great with Semedo, Waggy and Elliot coming in for extra praise.

It was a terrific day and an experience we will all remember forever. In the photo my son is the 2nd mascot from the right. Christian Dailly is Charlton's captain.

Elizabeth Taylor RIP

The film star Elizabeth Taylor, who has died of heart failure aged 79, was in the public eye from the age of 11 and remained there even decades after her last hit movie. She managed to keep people fascinated, by her incandescent beauty, her courage, her open-natured character, her self-deprecating humour, her eight marriages (two of them to the actor Richard Burton), her many brushes with death, her seesawing weight, her diamonds and her humanitarian causes, all of which often obscured the reason why she was famous in the first place.

Full obituary here.

Team Challenge Latest - Force of Gravity

It's been a while but after 31 weeks Gravity still lead the N&R Team Challenge but they are just 7.5 average points ahead of QBE. All four of the manangers involved at Gravity and QBE are having cracking campaigns.

In 3rd are Bluefin with Neil leading the scoring. 4th place are RSA's motley crew with HDI Gerling in 5th.

The Chartis army is 6th with old timers JRP in 7th. There isn't much to separate Aon Benfield and Tokio and then Aon International bring up the rear.

The latest table was sent out with the week 31 table.

week 31 review

Not many games at all in week 31.

The sole Premiership games was a 1-1 draw between Birmingham and Everton at Goodison.

The Blues also played in the FA Cup losing at home to Bolton 2-3. Elmander, Davies and Lee scoring for Wanderers as they make the semis.

Man Utd beat Arsenal of course, Stoke beat West Ham 2-1 and Man City beat Reading 1-0.

N&R Cup Quarter Final Draw

The balls have been plucked from my magic Jiffy bag and the draw for the Quarter Final of the N&R Cup is as follows:

Ricky Wood v Neil Wallis

Aaron Barden v Neville White

Steve Merchant v Rob Munden

Ken Cobbett v Ian Kennett

Some good ties there, particularly the Steve Merchant v Rob Munden game. Neil Wallis v Woody is a bit tasty too.

Ties will be played over week 34.

Not hitting the Mark

Week 31 - Manager of the Week
Not enough games in week 31 to have a MoW. There were just 9 Premiership teams in action, and Birmingham were two of them!

So, apologies to Mark Simmons who ended week 30 with the most points but there was no prize this week. Ironically Keith and I follow the rules that Mark set for his own fantasy league, so no one to blame but himself!

Anyway week 30 was a good week for making ground for Michael Stout (35), Mark Gregory (31), Mad Rick (26), Rob and Chris Waterman (24) and Godders (23) plus one or two others.

Barry Plummer scored an incredibly toilet -2, but likewise it counts for nowt.

Little change

N&R FL Division 1 - Week 31
A low scoring week and not much change at the peak of Div 1.

Gooner win league did draw level with Hannoi Utd in 7th though and AON United moved up 3 places to 11th.

Less change

N&R FL Division 2 - Week 31
Even less change in Div 2 after a pretty much non-existent Premier League week due to the Cup.

Old football kits

Southend United 1992-4
Made by Beaver, yes Beaver.
Worn by Brett Angell, Steve Tilson and Stan Collymore.
Worn when the side topped Division One at Christmas '92 but poor form in the second half of the season cost them a place in the Premiership and a unique third sucessive promotion. They have only looked downwards since.

N&R Cup 3rd Round Results

Week 30 coincided with the N&R Cup latest round. I unfortunately came up against Ricky bloody Wood.

N&R Cup 3rd Round Results:
Neil Reynolds 35-40 Ian Kennett
Simon Newport 47-79 Ricky Wood
Steve Merchant 39-33 Davor Duvancic
Ken Cobbett 48-29 Hilary Flynn
Mark Simmons 30-65 Neil Wallis
Neville White 31-30 Barry Plummer
Aaron Barden 37-26 Chris Wright
Rob Munden 43-23 Mark Gregory

Well apart from Nobby's defeat at the hands of Ricky, Ian moved onto the last 8 with a close win over previous winner Neil Reynolds. Steve beat Davor in a tight game and likewise Neville who defeated ex-colleague Barry Plummer by a solitary point.

Neil Wallis thrashed Mark, Barden beat Chris Wright and the last two places were taken by Rob Munden, who toppled Mark and title challenger Ken, who won the local Chartis derby over Hilary.

Wood a little Tiger

Week 30 - Manager of the Week

Ricky Wood hit a season best score, climbed into the promotion places and won a fiver in week 30. Not a bad week indeed. Oakers was a close second and he kept up his Div 1 challenge and Stocky once again proved how inconsistent he is.

Emma was up eating at the top table again in week 30, if only she could find some consistency too, and my old friend Sarah pulled out the stops too with a gracious 69 and a season-best.

Tony Murray, the Englishman in New York walloped a cracking 68 and easily his best of a terrible season. Tony lies 135 points adrift in Div 2 but no longer has the worst overall score. That prize belongs to Razor Nathan.

Steve Black was knocking on the door again, Neil Wallis had a another good week, Ready moved in with a 64 and Richard Richards, so good they named him twice, scored 63 as did my little petal Kirsty.

It was a good scoring week, was week 30 and 49 managers scored 30 or higher. Soozie didn't though. Mrs Sav is losing her touch rapidly and netted a poor 20, the same as Scott.

Big Woody

N&R FL Division 2 - Week 30

KC's Clowns stay top and has the best N&R score at present. FFC 4Ever and Bingo swap places and Steve looks a threat once again. Good on Paper are still in the mix, but slip a little and Bobby Z improved their position in week 30.

FC Woody hit their highest ever N&R place and it is a welcome return to the promotion places for Blunty.

Meanwhile when the tough gets going Davor's Calculated Risk (nice GF mate), Still not a chance (was nice while it lasted) and Sons of pitches (out of the the top 10 for first time since November) all come a cropper.

In the Black

N&R FL Division 1 - Week 30

The top 3 are unchanged, but Boys on tour moves back up the table to 4th. Brox drop to 5th. Outisde title contender Guiness & eggs are up to 6th after a tremendous turn of fortunes. Steve was facing relegation just 3 weeks ago in 21st and had in fact been in the bottom 10 since November. Now 6th just 100 points behind the leader. Steve is known for late runs in the N&R and those fellow Play-Off contenders should keep a close eye on the Barnsley fan from Atlanta.

Gooner win league fall back and Keep the faith needs a bit of Poyet magic as Francey's title hopes fade. Nobby's Lost in the Triangle had a better week, but more luck than judgement I would say. But like others around me such as Nortius Maximus, AON United and Racing Hiccups top 7 is still not beyond me.

Out of the relegation pack is Tanus Terriers, in is Soozie's Sizzlers and it was a far better week for SYRFLTLPK.

First fiver for Neil

Week 29 - Manager of the Week

A first time MoW win for Neil Bixby. 56 points did it in week 29, 5 more than the revitalised Steve Black and always knackered Mark Simmons.

48 for Michael Stout's forgotten No-Hopers, Lee Horne had a good week, so did Danny Rose, Barry Paull, Mark Gregory and Mad Rick, who hit his best score for over 2 months - just 38!

Godders picked up the booby prize in week 29 with a score of 6.

Frank & Beans still in with a shout?

N&R FL Division 2 - Week 29
Good on Paper and FFC 4Ever swap places in the rush for the Play-Offs. Chart This Int'l and Bobby Z did likewise.

Neville will be chuffed to see his Still not a chance in the top 10 for the first time this season and by my reckoning promotion candidates go down as far as Frank & Beans in 15th. Come on lads - for the windy city!

18 teams in relegation battle

N&R FL Division 1 - Week 29
A move into 3rd by Paris Eagles was the big news in Div 1 in week 29. Boys on tour dropped to 5th and Gooner win league are up to 6th.

Lower down Keep the faith, Hannoi Utd, Nortius Maximus and Jimmy 5 Bellies all lose ground while Guinness & eggs plus AON United move upwards.

Interestingly, at least for me, anyone from 13th down is still in the relegation fight. Tanus Terriers and Lazarus United both in week 29 showed a bit of fight and had good weeks.

Road to Wembley - United march on

Our Road to Wembley side Man U crushed Arsenal, who were knocked out of three competitons in a wek.

Sir Alex starting line-up carried an unfamiliar look but his side performed in highly effective fashion, despite Arsenal enjoying a large share of possession in the first 45 minutes.

Brazilian brothers Rafael and Fabio were relieved of their familiar defensive duties and utilised wide on the flanks, a ploy that should have brought United an early lead. Fabio's cross from the left was an open invitation for Rafael to score but he headed wastefully over the top from close range.

Fabio did not make the same mistake when presented with the chance to give United a crucial advantage after 27 minutes. Rooney's delicate cross was met by Hernandez and when his header was pushed out by Manuel Almunia the youngster slid in to prod the rebound into the roof of the net.

Van Persie led the Arsenal response with a low angled effort that was turned around the post by Van der Sar, then heading just wide from the resulting corner.

There was a welcome sight for United and their supporters at the start of the second half as Antonio Valencia returned as a substitute for the first time since breaking his leg in the Champions League tie against Glasgow Rangers at Old Trafford in September.

United keeper Van der Sar kept them on terms with an instinctive double save right after the break, twice denying Koscielny after he linked with Van Persie inside the area. The value of Van der Sar's saves was quickly illustrated as Rooney doubled United's lead shortly after.

Rafael was instrumental with a surge into the area and when another Hernandez effort was blocked Rooney pounced to head home.

Arsenal once again resumed territorial advantage but simply could not find a way past Van der Sar, who distinguished himself with further fine saves from substitute Chamakh's header and Rosicky's swerving 20-yard shot.

As Arsenal pushed forward in desperation, they inevitably left spaces at the back and United almost cashed in as Almunia clawed out a shot from Hernandez.

Defender Djourou was injured in the scramble and was stretchered off after lengthy treatment - during which he was given oxygen - that left eight minutes of stoppage time.

Manchester United substitute Paul Scholes enlivened proceedings with a needlessly hot-headed cameo that brought a yellow card and a separate rebuke from referee Chris Foy.

But nothing could take the gloss off United's win as they sealed their place in the last four of the FA Cup. They will play Manchester rivals City at Wembley, which will satisfy Man U's large Hertfordshire fan base on April 16th.

Photograph of the week

Everyone's favourite rogue and best mate's wife shagger John Terry will captain England tomorrow night after Fabio Capello decided to give him back the armband from Rio Ferdinand.

Week 30 review

FA Cup
Due to the weather the games are getting very spread out. In a replay Everton came unstuck at home to Reading after beating Chelsea in the round before.

Man C beat a weakened and uninterested Villa 3-0 and Arsenal finally overcame Leyton Orient in the replay 5-0.

Premier League
Chelsea beat Man U in an entralling game 2-1, with fat Frankie getting the winner from the spot. The Hammers went on the rampage and beat the Potters 3-0, Everton won 2-1 at Newcastle. Silva got the solitary goal for City at home to Wigan, Fulham beat Blackburn 3-2 and Bolton beat fading Villa by the same score.

The Baggies won 3-1 at The Blues, Arsenal and Sunderland shared the spoils at the Emirates.

Wolves and Spurs drew 3-3 in a cracker and in another excellent game Kuyt scored a hat trick as Liverpool beat the auld enemy Man U 3-1. On the Monday Lampard and Terry scored as Chelsea won 3-1 at Blackpool.

Photograph of the week

Robin van Persie is sent off for kicking the ball away in a rash decision by the referee. Arsenal, who had only one shot on goal the whole game and that wasn't even by them, went on to lose to Barcelona 3-1 and were knocked out of the Champions League.

Player tackles a fan in a mankini!

If you haven't seen this, then click on the link now:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12682897

Ready's Benfleet Bet 4th Rd Results

Here is the latest FA Cup predictions table after the 4th Round matches.

These are the running totals with the 4th round score in brackets:

1= Neil Bixby 52 (25)

1= Ian France 52 (29)

3. Nobby 51 (21)

4. Neil Addington 48 (19)

5= Barry Plummer 47 (13)

5= Ken Cobbett 47 (17)

7. Peter Doyle 46 (16)

8= Alastair Bigg 45 (12)

8= Ben Guarino 45 (14)

8= Jason Syrett 45 (17)

11. Ready 44 (20)

12. Barry Paull 42 (10)

13. Ryan Saveall 41 (15)

14. Tim Harris 40 (7)

15. Alan Oakley 39 (12)

16= Neil Reynolds 38 (15)

16= Brian Rutter 38 (6)

16= Alex Boswell 38 (8)

19= John McGowan 37 (15)

19= Mark Gregory 37 (12)

19= Neville White 37 (5)

19= Aaron Barden 37 (20)

23. Steve Black 36 (0 no scores entered)

23= Mrs Saveall 36 (17)

25. Peter Goddfrey 35 (11)

26. Steve Merchant 34 (9)

27. Rickeeeee Wood 34 (12)

28= Paul Long 33 (8)

28= Kirstie Baillie (still got my trophies from last year!) 33 (11)

30. Mark Dewberry 32 (10)

31= Munden 31 (0 no scores entered)

31= Richard Richards 31 (12)

33= Ian Kennett 30 (15)

33= Danny Rose 30 (10)

35. Greg Foulger 28 (8)

36. Henry Williams 23 (0 no scores entered)

Once again, you guys are getting good. No rule breaches as everyone has finally wised up to it. There were some craracking scores of 29 from Francey and 25 from Bixby leaving them joint top closely followed by our very own Nobby with 51. Woeful scores of 5 from Neville White and 6 from Rutter who were both near the top after the 3rd round scores.

5th Round to follow shortly.

Please get me your 6th Round scores (if you haven't done so already) by the end of this week.

Week 29 review

Midweek in a bit of a turn around against form Blackpool beat Spurs 3-1, Squillaci scored the winner in a tough win over Stoke.


Wolves had a huge win against Blackpool 4-0, likewise at Wigan as Man U destroyed the Latics by the same score. Spurs and Bolton drew 1-1, Sturridge with another for the Trotters.


Jermaine Beckford is improving and scored both of Everton's goals over Sunderland. Villa thrashed sorry Blackburn 4-1. Ashley Young got two.


On the Sunday West Ham pulled a result out of the bag at home to Liverpool which has the Hammers' fans believing. Man C drew at home with Fulham and ex-boss Mark 'Sparkie' Hughes.


On Monday Vela got another for Woy Hodgson at WBA got a late point at The Brittania.

N&R Cup 3rd Draw

Was made this morning by my 16-month daughter pulling pieces of paper out of a tea cup. Here you go:

N&R Cup 3rd Round
Neil Reynolds v Ian Kennett
Simon Newport v Ricky Wood
Steve Merchant v Davor Duvancic
Ken Cobbett v Hilary Flynn
Mark Simmons v Neil Wallis
Neville White v Barry Plummer
Aaron Barden v Chris Wright
Rob Munden v Mark Gregory

That completes the draw. Munden v Gregory has the signs of a cracker judging by their league form. Simmons and Wallis should be entertaining, Merchant and Davor is a top of the table clash and Ken and Hilary is a Chartis derby.

All ties to be decided over week 30.

Ready pops

Week 28 - Manager of the Week
Three times winner Ready has had a disappointing season by his standards but after 28 weeks Keith finally picked up his first cash award after a 53 point MoW performance.

It was another good week for Emma, who hit the 2nd best score of 47. Emma has been climbing the Div 2 table in recent weeks. Likewise Steve Black, who scored 46.

I haven't mentioned Sarah Sheron much recently but she had a good week 28 scoring 44, one more than her old mucker Kirsty. Godders pocketed 42, Stocky netted 41, Brett belted 38 and Oakers a 37.

Other scores of note were Richard x2 (35), Lee Horne (26), Rutts (19), Neil Addington (16), Alex Byatt (15) and Hilary (11).

The week's lowest score was Razor Nathan with a big fat round 0.

Worst weekly score

Richard Nathan's zero score was his 2nd of the season but Lee still 'leads' the worst weekly score table with -2 in week 13. A prize to the winner.

1. Lee Baughan, week 13, -2 pts
2. Michael Stout, week 13, -1 pt
3= Mark Simmons, week 17 0 pts
3= Richard Nathan, week 20, 0 pts
3= Richard Nathan, week 28, 0 pts
3= Brian Rutter, week 13, 0 pts
7. Henry Williams, week 13, 1 pt
8 Danny Rose, week 13, 2 pts
9. Barry Plummer, week 28, 3 pts
10. Ben Guarino, week 28, 4 pts

Up to Week 28.

Four tops

N&R FL Division 2 - Week 28
Tight as a gnats chuff in Div 2. Just 23 points separate KC's Clowns, Bingo, FFC 4Ever and Good on paper at the tip of the table. All four of these managers have more points than the Div 1's leader.

The Capello Index has had a great first season and stays 5th, likewise Bobby Z and Chart This Int'l. Calculated Risk moves up to 9th and Sons of pitches is 10th.

Knocking on the door is Still not a chance, Blunty, FC Wood and Brighton Blues.

At the bottom Tony Murray has failed to find similar inspiration to that of Avram Grant. Hammer Nation are 145 points behind 2nd from bottom Mad Rick, who in turn are 66 behind 3rd bottom Muddy's Mavericks.

Ready, Sooz and Steve looking up

N&R FL Division 1 - Week 28
12 weeks To Elland Back have sat proudly on top of N&R Div 1. Rob is 26 points ahead of perennial title chaser Loads of Roubles. Boys on tour sit 3rd and up to 4th is Paris Eagles.

Brox, Hiccups, Keep the faith, Gooner, 5 Bellies and Hannoi Utd, who were in relegation trouble up until 3 weeks ago are all closing in.

Soozie's Sizzlers are another team now looking up and not down, Guinness & eggs are another who belatedly will be looking to get their season kick started.

Torres Rosso are in the relegation pack for the first time since early December. For Red Roy, Morgan's Machines and Rhubard & Custard it looks too late.

Week 28 review

Premier League
On the Tuesday Lovenkrands & Best got goals for Newcastle as they beat Birmingham. Then the following Saturday in the west midlands derby Wolves got a late draw at home to Wolves. On loan Vela the scorer.

FA Cup
Early in the week Klasnic scored the winner for Bolton in a replay at Wigan.

In the weekend Cup games Birmingham overcame Sheff Wed 3-0, Chelsea and Everton drew but the Toffees won on pens, and no penalty scorers don't count. Man U stuttered to a 1-0 win over our Road to Wembley side Crawley 1-0, Stoke got all of their 3 goals in the first half at home to League One leaders Brighton.

Arsenal were held 1-1 at Brisbane Road by Leyton Orient, Man C had no problems, but the 5-0 score flattered them in the win over Notts County. And that man Klasnic did it again for Bolton at the Cottage.

On Monday West Ham thrashed Eddie Howe's Burnley 5-1.

Double R

Week 27 - Manager of the Week

Joint winners in week 27. Gooners Rose and Reynolds will share the fiver after both scoring 48 points.

The improving ex-champion Brett Davey was next with 43, the same as Davor. Emma picked up a healthy 42, and our little Scottish haggis Kirsty scored 38. Neville has had a good season (well, it's all relative) notched 37, Stocky 36, and Ready and Chris Wright scored 35.

The week's lowest score was 12, and rather surprisingly it was owned by title challenger Wardy.

In the media

Is it possible that there is a bigger prick than Ashley Cole in football?

"A day after misfiring from the spot against Everton, Cole is reported to have arrived at Cobham equipped with a .22 rifle, fitted with muzzle and nightscope, something the News of the World says was witnessed by a dozen members of staff. It is said that Cole was unaware the rifle was loaded when he took aim at Tom Cowan, a 21-year-old who was on a year's internship at Chelsea."

More in The Guardian's Fiver here.

Status Quo

N&R FL Division 1 - Week 27
Loads of Roubles continue to chase To Elland Back with Boys on tour 3rd. Brox moves into 4th ahead of Paris Eagles and Racing Hiccups. Gooner win league hit the top 7th as Keep the faith fall to 8th.

Harry Houdini makes a little move up the table as Lost in the Triangle slips.

At the bottom, there were no real changes except for an improvement in Brett's Fabio's Flops position, but he is still 55 points from safety.

Clowning around

N&R FL Division 2 - Week 27
KC's Clowns hit top spot for the first ever time in week 26. Ken leads Bingo by 3 points and FFC 4Ever by 6 pts. Good on paper drop to 4th but are very much still in it.

The Capello Index are 5th and Chart This Int'l 6th. Bobby Z fell a place and Sons of pitches, Baron Greenback Rangers and Calculated Risk all stay put.

In the middle pack no one looks like making a break although Brighton Blues, Still not a chance and Blunty are closest. Sweaty's young boys made the most ground in week 26.

Hammer Nation remain stuck to the bottom, 548 points behind the league leader.

Road to Wembley - Lucky Devils escape past Brave Devils

What a superb performance by Crawley Town at Old Trafford in front of 74,778 fans, which with the TV revenue and merchandising is said to earnt the West Sussex club £1,000,000.

Man U scored a first half goal from a corner when Wes Brown headed in, but after that it despite United dominating possession as would be expected, Crawley did their 9,000 fans proud and almost snatched a dramatic equaliser in injury time when substitute Brodie's header bounced agonisingly back off the bar.

After match quotes:

"The best manager had to think in the second half" - Steve Evans

"It looked like a big chance (the late header). Some of the boys said they thought it was in and I think a few of the United players felt the same way." - Steve Evans

"He gave me a proper Glasgow welcome (a few bottles of red no doubt). They way he and his club have treated us makes me proud to be from the same city. It was an education how to treat people. It is why they are the best club in the world." - Steve Evans

"Maybe didn't understand what FA Cup football is like. There is no doubt a few players did not do themselves justice." - Sir Alex

"I had no complaints in the first half, I thought we did okay - but we weren't at the races in the second. We were second to every ball." - Sir Alex

So, N&R's Road to Wembley switches to Man United, who play Arsenal at home in the last 8. I don't think we have ever picked up one of the big 4 this early, let alone two of them.

Photograph of the week

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester City defender Kolo Toure's failed drugs test is a result of the player taking a "slimming product belonging to his wife." You can never trust your wife Wenger said as Toure looks forward to a lengthy ban.

Week 27 review

Van Persie kept up his incredible goalscoring record with two more against Wolves. Zigic, height 8ft 4', scored the winner for Brum in the win over Stoke.

In a drew-fest Blackpool and Villa drew 1-1, Blackburn and Newcastle 0-0, Liverpool and Wigan 1-1, and the Hammers came from 0-3 to draw with WBA as they finally look like having the fight to stave of relegation.

Kranjcar scored again as Spurs beat Sunderland at the SOL. And in the Manchester derby Rooney shinned a fortunate winner as U beat C.

On the Sunday Bolton beat Everton 2-0 and on Monday Chelsea drew at Fulham.

RIP Dean Richards

"Deano was a giant. He played with elegance and composure and was a joy to watch. He was a star player with a Rolls-Royce engine. In the football community we're all stunned. You can't get your head round it. He was someone who brought joy to everyone and, if you knew him, played with him or worked with him, you knew what a character he was." - Chris Kamara

36-year old Dean Richards died after a long illness. Remembered for his trademark skilful breaks out of defence as well as his ability in the air, Richards will always be fondly remembered by Wolves fans who continued to follow his career closely when he moved on to Southampton and then a big money move in 2001 to Tottenham.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said "I can't tell you how sad I feel for him and his family - 36 years of age. It is just devastating for them.

Ian Holloway added: "Dean lived a couple of doors down for me when I lived in St Albans. He was a wonderful fella, my love goes out to his family."