The draw for the semi-finals of the FA Cup set up a potential reunion between Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, and Portsmouth, the cash-strapped club whom he guided to glory in the competition in 2008. Should Tottenham win their quarter-final replay at home to Fulham, Redknapp's side will meet a club who have gone downhill since he left in October 2008. Portsmouth are bottom of the Premier League, in administration and facing a nine-point deduction and liquidation.
Chelsea, the holders, beat Stoke City comfortably, 2-0 at home, to book their semi-final match-up with Aston Villa, who were made to work a little harder to earn their Wembley day out. Two goals down at half-time away at Reading, "serious words" from their manager Martin O'Neill at the interval produce a stirring comeback with John Carew netting a hat-trick in a 4-2 win. O'Neill said: "The players knew how second best we were in the first half. They didn't need much reminding of that."
twoods@thenational.ae
