Barnsley cling on to secure 1-0 FA Cup triumph
Saturday, 08 Mar 2008 20:10
Another FA Cup giant-killing for Barnsley
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Barnsley repeated their giant-killing heroics as they beat
Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
A second-half goal from Kayode Odejayi proved the difference between the two sides as Chelsea's prolonged attacks failed to bear any fruit.
The final 25 minutes took place almost entirely in Barnsley's half but Brian Howard's side blocked and cleared their way to another famous victory and their first FA Cup semi-final since 1912.
In the first half Barnsley showed a prodigious work-rate which pundits feared could not be repeated in the second.
They created the best chance in the 37th minute when Hungarian Istvan Ferenczi, swivelling deftly, hit the outside of the post.
Shots from Michael Essien and Joe Cole proved the best efforts of the half for the Premiership visitors but Barnsley keeper Luke Steele was not required to repeat his Anfield feats.
The second half appeared to prove a different proposition, with Chelsea clearly the dominant side in the opening stages.
But, inevitably against the run of play, Odejayi scored what proved to be the winner and only his second goal of the season.
A cross from Martin Devaney on the right wing found Odejayi rising in front of Carlo Cudicini, allowing him to nod the ball into the open goal.
The action refocused on the Barnsley box for the final 25 minutes of the match, with Grant bringing Claudio Pizarro on in Juliano Belletti's place.
Shaun Wright-Phillips had a clear chance in the 76th minute but missed the target, while a foul inches from the penalty area gave Michael Ballack an opportunity to equalise with eight full minutes of time remaining.
His shot hit the Barnsley wall and it was not until the 90th minute that Chelsea's next chance came. The Blues found themselves temporarily with numerical advantage inside the box and the ball came to John Terry, who sent his effort high into the stands.
The ball entered the Barnsley penalty area five times in the 92nd minute alone before home fans ran on to the pitch, thinking the end was all over.
The delay gave Terry a final chance to make amends but his last-gasp shot was cleared, allowing the celebrations to begin in earnest.