FA CUP: Aston Villa Eliminates Leicester City To Reach FA Cup Quarter-finals

Chances were few and far between in the first half, but the clearest openings fell Leicester's way and twice they were inches from breaking the deadlock.

First, in the 11th minute, Marcin Wasilewski flicked a header from Matty James's corner against the post before James himself was denied by Shay Given's fingertip save shortly after the half-hour mark.

At the other end, Christian Benteke smashed home just before half time, but Villa failed to break their 11-game streak without a first-half goal as he was flagged offside.

There was more intensity about Villa in the second half and they should have gone in front two minutes after the restart when Fabian Delph mistimed a free header and directed it over the bar.

The opening goal arrived midway through the second half when Leandro Bacuna, who was about to be substituted, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled into the far corner past Mark Schwarzer.

Villa had chances to put the game to bed on the counter-attack, but they were almost pegged back when Riyad Mahrez forced a double-save from Given.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 89th minute through Scott Sinclair, who replaced Bacuna and netted his first goal for Villa with a low shot that Schwarzer helped into the goal.

Leicester made it a nervy finish for Villa when Andrej Kramaric scored his second goal in as many games with a well-directed header from Jeffrey Schlupp's cross.

The Foxes lumped the ball forward hoping for one last chance, but they were unable to force a replay as seven-time winners Villa advance to the last eight.

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FA CUP: Bradford City Thrash Sunderland To keep Dream Alive

Bradford City have added another Premier League scalp to their impressive collection by beating Sunderland 2-0 to advance into the last eight of the FA Cup.

The League One outfit produced one of the all-time great cup upsets by overcoming Chelsea in the last round, and they were at it again this afternoon courtesy of a goal in either half at Valley Parade.

Billy Clarke's early strike deflected awkwardly off John O'Shea to give the home side lead against their more esteemed opponents inside the opening few minutes.

Jon Stead's glancing header nearly extended Bradford's lead, before Ben Williams was called into action at the other end to keep out Adam Johnson's powerful drive.

Steven Fletcher then took a tumble in the box, but saw his appeal for a penalty waved away by referee Kevin Friend as the Premier League side continued to grow into the contest.

Sebastian Larsson was the next visiting player to try his luck on the end of a Danny Graham knockdown, firing away a shot which was deflected narrowly over the crossbar.

It was not all one-way traffic, however, as Clarke came close once more when he drove into the opposition box and forced a decent save out of Vito Mannone.

The pattern of the half had firmly been set at this stage, both teams looking to create goalscoring chances, but it was Sunderland who had the better of the final few minutes when Graham and Patrick van Aanholt both tested Williams, who managed to remain strong to preserve the Bantams' slender lead.

Sunderland were unable to add any sustained pressure following the restart, however, and shortly after the hour Stead kept up his impressive record of scoring in every round to put his former club to the sword.

The goal came about following a poor piece of play from Johnson, with the midfielder failing to clear the ball properly when put under pressure, and the mistake proved costly as Stead found the back of the net via the width of the post.

Connor Wickham, on at the break for the ineffectual Graham, perhaps should have pulled one back for his side when he headed towards goal from 10 yards out, only to see his attempt planted straight into the welcoming hands of Williams.

That proved to spell the end of Sunderland's cup campaign, although the dream continues for another round at least for City who are now into the quarter-finals and one game from a Wembley return.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Costa Rica 0 - 0 England

England have bowed out of the World Cup with a goalless draw against Costa Rica, who have finished at the top of Group D.

Costa Rica almost made the breakthrough with just two minutes played, but Joel Campbell's clipped effort from the edge of the box floated narrowly wide of the post.

England were attacking the opposition goal soon after as Daniel Sturridge shot just wide before the striker fired off target again with a long-range drive.

Both teams battled persistently during a hard-fought opening half, and Costa Rica were inches away from taking the lead midway through when Celso Borges's free kick was tipped over by Ben Foster.

England were appealing for a penalty with around 30 minutes on the clock as Sturridge was dragged down in the box, but the referee waved away their vociferous appeals.

Roy Hodgson's side posed even more of an attacking threat as the half wore on, with Sturridge heading over from a corner and Ross Barkley slicing wide, though they failed to make the breakthrough.

England started the second half in much the same way as they finished the first, with Sturridge and Barkley causing the Costa Ricans numerous problems.

Sturridge had an effort snuffed out by the goalkeeper on 50 minutes before a Frank Lampard free kick from a dangerous position hit the wall.

Sturridge had a glorious chance to put England ahead just after the hour when he curled narrowly wide following some good link-up play with the bustling Jack Wilshere.

Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney came off the bench as the match entered the final 25 minutes, and Rooney nearly caught out the goalkeeper when his cheeky chip had to be pushed over.

Despite England's persistence up front, they were unable to bow out of the tournament with a win as the Costa Ricans held out for a point to make them the winners of the group.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Costa Rica Vs England

England may have played a more expansive game in Brazil, but it hasn't produced results. Defeats to Italy and Uruguay mean that no matter what result Roy Hodgson's men achieve against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on Monday, they cannot qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

With little riding on the contest, Hodgson may give some of those that haven't featured in the first two matches a start.

Consequently, the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley could all feature, while it may be Steven Gerrard's last outing for England, with reports having suggested that the captain will retire from international football.

As for the Costa Ricans, they have been one of the tournament's surprise packages. With maximum points from their first two encounters, the Central Americans have already guaranteed their place in the last 16.

To avoid injuries or suspensions, head coach Jorge Luis Pinto is expected to make numerous alterations to his starting lineup, with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell among those to be omitted.

Belo Horizonte was the venue where England, who have never previously met Costa Rica, were famously defeated by the USA at the 1950 World Cup.

Recent form

Costa Rica: LWLDWW

England: WWDDLL

Possible starting lineups

Costa Rica: Pemberton; Acosta, Miller, Diaz, Francis; Barrantes, Calvo, Granados, Tejeda; Urena, Brenes

England: Hart; Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw; Gerrard, Wilshere; Lallana, Barkley, Rooney; Sturridge

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England Not Good Enough - Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes has claimed that England's defence was not good enough in their World Cup defeat against Uruguay.

The Three Lions were beaten 2-1 in their Group C match and could be knocked out of the tournament depending on the result of Italy's meeting with Costa Rica.

Scholes has admitted that he had concerns before the World Cup started over England's defensive capabilities and has said that Roy Hodgson must make changes going forward.

"Going into the tournament we all feared the back four were never not going to concede goals – and now it has been proven," he told Paddy Power.

"England just weren't good enough. I thought they were poor in the first half and gave the ball away too much.

"Roy's close to finding something – but he needs two young centre-halves that have the balls to play, the balls to step into midfield now and again and full-backs who can defend."

Scholes scored 14 times in his 66 appearances for the England national side.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Uruguay 2 - 1 England

Two goals from Luis Suarez has condemned England to a 2-1 defeat to leave their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

Wayne Rooney levelled the contest for Roy Hodgson's side 15 minutes from time, but Suarez added to his first-half opener with five minutes remaining to secure the points in Sao Paulo.

The lively striker came close to opening the scoring early on when he whipped a corner goalwards which almost caught out Joe Hart, only for the England keeper to push the ball away at his front post.

Shortly after, Rooney produced a fine curling effort which looked destined for the top corner, but the ball ended up narrowly wide of the target to the relief of Fernando Muslera.

The first big chance of the contest fell to Cristian Rodriguez when he was picked out in acres of space, but he failed to test Hart with his powerful drive which missed the target.

England created openings of their own, however, and Rooney came within inches of breaking the deadlock when his headed effort from Steven Gerrard's cross came back off the post.

As the game looked to be edging towards a goalless first half, Suarez arrived at the back post to head home Edison Cavani's inch-perfect cross to fire Uruguay ahead, leaving Hart with little chance.

A slow start to the second half for Hodgson's side allowed Uruguay to come close to extending their lead on a couple of occasions. First, Suarez once more almost got the better of Hart from a corner which beat Danny Welbeck at the front post, while Cavani failed to convert when played through one-on-one with the England stopper.

Rooney could have made Cavani pay for his missed opportunity when picked out by Leighton Baines in the box, though Muslera was equal to the striker's drilled shot.

England did find a breakthrough goal on the 75-minute mark, however, and it was Rooney who found the net with his first World Cup goal - converting Glenn Johnson's low ball inside the box to make it 1-1.

Following the goal England pushed on and came close to taking the lead through Daniel Sturridge who turned two defenders in the box before getting a shot away which was kept out by Muslera once more.

Though with five minutes remaining Suarez added his second of the game to fire the South Americans back ahead, latching onto Gerrard's flicked header towards his own goal, before taking a touch and placing the ball beyond Hart.

England now find themselves bottom of Group D and needing results to go their way in the final round of fixtures next week.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Uruguay Vs England

Thursday will see England face a crucial encounter in their bid to reach the second round of the World Cup when they take on Uruguay in Group D.

The Three Lions head to Sao Paulo having lost their opening game of the tournament 2-1 against Italy, and their upcoming meeting with the South Americans is seen as a must-win game for Roy Hodgson's side.

However, Uruguay are also in need of a victory following their surprise opening defeat to Costa Rica.

Plenty of debate has circled around whether Wayne Rooney will be dropped for the game, but the forward is likely to keep his place in the starting XI this time around.

However, Hodgson could still make a few changes to his lineup, with a place in the team for Jack Wilshere being widely mooted.

Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge are both suffering with minor knocks following the loss to Italy, but the Liverpool duo are expected to be available.

Luis Suarez had been a doubt for Uruguay after undergoing knee surgery before the start of the tournament, but the striker recently confirmed that he was "100% fit" for the clash.

Recent form
Uruguay: WDDWWL

England: LWWDDL

Possible starting lineups
Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Lugano, Godin, Pereira; Gargano, Arevalo; Rodriguez, Forlan, Suarez; Cavani

England: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Wilshere; Welbeck, Rooney, Sterling; Sturridge

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: England 1 - 2 Italy

Mario Balotelli scored the winner as England slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Italy in their World Cup Group D opener in Manaus this morning.

The AC Milan striker proved the difference by nodding home on 50 minutes to narrowly beat a spirited England side.

Already billed as a pivotal clash in the pool, the contest grew in significance prior to kickoff following the news that perceived Group D outsiders Costa Rica had registered a shock 3-1 win over Uruguay.

It was the Three Lions who looked most intent to capitalise on the Uruguayan's slip-up as Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck both fired narrowly wide for Roy Hodgson's men early on.

Daniel Sturridge came agonisingly close to opening the scoring but the Liverpool man failed to get on the end of Welbeck's excellent low cross.

With Hodgson's side failing to yield tangible reward for their goalmouth dominance, Italy hit them with a sucker-punch on 35 minutes as Claudio Marchisio fired beyond Joe Hart from the edge of the box following Andrea Pirlo's clever dummy.

England provided an immediate riposte through Sturridge, however, as the striker tapped home a Wayne Rooney cross minutes later to level matters in swift fashion.

In a cruel twist of irony, physio Gary Lewin had to be stretchered away from the dugout after sustaining a dislocated ankle in celebrating the equaliser.

Cesare Prandelli's side threatened to take a half-time lead, as Balotelli saw his clever lob headed off the line by Phil Jagielka, while Marchisio saw his bid rebuffed by the post.

Italy retained that momentum after the interval and took the lead five minutes after the restart, as Balotelli headed home an Antonio Candreva cross.

England went in search of another equaliser but failed to produce the type of chances that they were forging earlier in the contest, with Glen Johnson coming closest to a leveler with a fiercely-struck shot.

Pirlo flashed a free kick against the crossbar in the closing stages, but it would not prove to be a decisive moment as Prandelli's side held on to kick off their campaign with a win.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: England Vs Italy

England take on Italy in Group D on Saturday night.

Both sides get their World Cup campaigns underway in the energy-sapping heat of Manaus, with England looking to avenge the defeat they suffered to the same team in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Roy Hodgson's side have a very different look about them now, and there have been calls for a different approach for months as England enter a major tournament with hope rather than expectancy.

In a group which also includes Uruguay and Costa Rica, an early victory is crucial for Hodgson, who is only waiting for Danny Welbeck to be given the green light as he looks to select from a fully fit squad.

Selection issues continue to be high on the agenda for Hodgson as speculation persists over which players will be chosen to support Daniel Sturridge, with Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Welbeck all pushing for a place in the side.

Italy are in a similar position to England heading into the tournament, with very few tipping Cesare Prandelli's side to be among the challengers in the latter stages of the competition, but a squad mixed with experience and youth are confident ahead of their opening match.

Andrea Pirlo has dominated the build-up to the match, while the form of AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has repeatedly been questioned by some members of the Italian media.

Italy's current form is certainly a worry for Prandelli, who has not seen his side record a victory in their previous seven matches prior to arriving in Brazil.

Recent form

England: LLWWDD

Italy: DDDLDD

Possible starting lineups

England: Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge

Italy: Buffon, Abate, De Sciglio, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Rossi, Pirlo, Verratti, Candreva, Marchisio, Balotelli

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Rooney Happy With Youthful England World Cup Squad

Wayne Rooney has claimed that England's World Cup squad has the potential to provide excitement at this summer's tournament in Brazil.

Roy Hodgson included a number of young players in the squad on Monday, and Rooney believes that the England manager had no choice but to recognise the achievements of the some of the more inexperienced members of the setup.

"The players we have in the squad really excite me and I'm sure they will excite the fans. Obviously the manager picks the squad but you can see that he has seen the potential of the young players, too," the Manchester United forward told the Daily Mail.

"Look at Raheem Sterling, for example. He has been incredible. You could see straight away the talent he had and he has kicked on again now. For Liverpool he has been outstanding.

"And then we have the likes of Ross Barkley. He has had a great season with Everton. Then [Daniel] Sturridge is more experienced, [Adam] Lallana is a bit older, too. So there is a great mix and I think we can surprise people. It's exciting."

England begin their World Cup campaign against Italy on June 14.

Source: Sportsmole

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