Barnsley 1-0 Chelsea

[Steve Gardner]

I know it's stating the painfully obvious but... WOW!

And to make matters even more interesting, they actually have half a chance of winning the competition.

Portsmouth have to be favourites now after they stunned Man Utd at Old Trafford. But with victories over both Liverpool and now Chelsea, Barnsley must feel they've got a real opportunity.

Four other clubs remain - they battle it out tomorrow to join Barnsley and Pompey in the semis. They fixtures are:

Bristol Rovers v West Brom
Middlesbrough v Cardiff

I hope Barnsley get drawn against the winner of Rovers v West Brom. That way, at least, we're guaranteed lower league representation in the final. Whatever happens, though, we're going to have a surprise addition to the winner's list this year.

Source: BBC

Kayode Odejayi's second-half header dumped holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup and gave Championship side Barnsley a shock place in the semi-finals.

The striker netted the winner from six yards out after connecting with Martin Devaney's superb right-wing cross.

Odejayi also had a shot saved by Carlo Cudicini, while team-mate Istvan Ferenczi's half-volley hit a post.

Chelsea's best chance fell to Joe Cole, who struck his angled shot wide from close range.

The last time Barnsley reached the semi-finals was in 1912 - and they went on to win their one and only FA Cup that season.

If they show the sort desire that has seen them overcome Premier League giants Liverpool and now Chelsea, then few would bet against them picking up their second title.

The home side's good play started at the back, with Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka often left redundant by Stephen Foster and Dennis Souza, who gradually became adept at forcing the lone marksman out wide.

At the other end, Tykes frontman Odejayi was a huge nuisance to the visitors, using his bulk well while holding and releasing intellingently.

The only concern for the home support was that he had not scored since September.

But he came close to ending that barren run during a 60-second spell that saw Simon Davey's side squander two good opportunities.

The first fell to forward Ferenczi, whose volley struck the foot of Cudicini's left-hand upright.

Moments later, Odejayi forced his way into the area only to see his low angled shot pushed away by the Chelsea shot-stopper.

Avram Grant's men were limited to half-chances, with Cole twice denied by the impressive Robert Kozluk, who got his body in the way on both occasions to prevent the England international from netting.

Straight after the break, Cole was presented with arguably his best opportunity to hand the visitors the lead but once again his nemesis Kozluk did enough to force the midfielder to screw his shot wide from eight yards.

Chelsea cranked up the pressure in the second half, knowing that a replay would not benefit a team still fighting on two other fronts.

But try as hard as they did, the team lacked ideas and failed to carve open a stubborn Barnsley defence, even with the introduction of attacking duo Salomon Kalou and Claudio Pizarro.

And as Chelsea pressed forward, space was left at the back.

That space was exploited on the right wing by Devaney, who delivered a stunning ball to the far post for Odejayi to nod past the hapless Cudicini.

The Barnsley penalty area resembled the Alamo in the final 15 minutes, but somehow the home side held firm to book their passage into the last four.

[Steve Gardner]

admin said:

I hope Barnsley get drawn against the winner of Rovers v West Brom. That way, at least, we're guaranteed lower league representation in the final. Whatever happens, though, we're going to have a surprise addition to the winner's list this year.

Well, it would seem I was being premature with these words. I fully expected Middlesbrough to beat Cardiff. I should have known better, given how this year's competition has panned out.

Now I rather hope Barnsley get drawn against Cardiff, since if they're drawn against West Brom, their keeper, who is on load from West Brom, will be ineligible to play..

[Steve Gardner]

So it's good news for on-loan Barnsley keeper, Luke Steele. His team have been drawn against Cardiff in the semis. Though if Barnsley get through and West Brom manage to beat Pompey, he would miss the final, which would be even more cruel.

Also, here's something I didn't reaslise:

As it stands, if Cardiff win the Cup they will not be allowed to enter the Uefa Cup, as Uefa regulations prevent the Welsh side from playing in European competition as England's representative. (source: BBC)

So, if Cardiff do win, then presumably the runners-up (Pompey or West Brom) would qualify.