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Five Things Learned From The FA Cup Quarter Finals

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A thrilling weekend of FA Cup quarter finals has concluded (well almost, as Manchester United and West Ham United battled to a 1-1 draw and will go to a replay), and Everton, Crystal Palace and Watford have advanced to the final four, both ties being held under the most famous arch in football, at Wembley Stadium.

Here are five things learned from the Quarter Finals:

  1. Arsenal and Chelsea exiting has thrown the competition wide open
The Gunners were stung by the Hornets of Watford, and Chelsea were haunted by their former striker Romelu Lukaku. You could make a case for any of the remaining five teams left in the competition to win the whole thing.
     2. Chelsea must regret letting Lukaku go
The hotshot Belgian was never really given a fair chance at Stamford Bridge after arriving in 2011. He spent his first season in the reserves, before continually being farmed out on loan and eventually joining the Toffees on a permanent deal. Chelsea came unstuck against their former striker.
     3. Why can’t Crystal Palace replicate their cup form in the league?
Palace have struggled in the Premier League this season, currently sitting in 15th position, eight points clear of the relegation zone. Yet they have progressed nicely to the semi-finals. They have the small matter of Premier League leaders Leicester City up next.
    4. Is the banner right – is it time for Arsene to say goodbye?
With Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool off the pace, and Tottenham and Manchester City also failing to rein in the leaders, this seemed the ideal situation for Arsenal to take either the league or cup, or even both. Now they have lost three home games in a row for the first time in fourteen years. They have the finances and the players to compete, but for some reason the pieces won’t all fit together.
    5. Anthony Martial has rediscovered his goal touch at the right time
With an injury list longer than most, and struggles to win over Red Devils fans, Louis van Gaal should be thankful that the young Frenchman was able to find the net for the first time in a month.
By Steve Osborne     @BlizzardSteve75

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