Alex McCleish really annoys me. Van Persie definitely elbowed Cueller, but it was just one of those things that happens when two players jump for the same ball. He should try accepting his team of lumbering dinosaurs threw it away and take the wrath on the chin.
Chelsea can only draw 1-1 at home to Birmingham. They were very poor in the first half and Birmingham deservedly led, Mata missed a penalty for Chelsea. They improved slightly in the second half and got level through Sturridge. In the end a deserved replay for Birmingham, but more questions than answers for Villas Boas. But this really is the worst Chelsea side since 2003.
I think Birmingham could have a chance, after all they drew at Stamford Bridge today (which isn't actually the fortress it was) but you'd think Villas Boas would have learnt his lesson and not play Luiz and Torres. I think it's got to the point where they are costing Chelsea. Luiz is absolutely terrible. If he's any sense he plays Drogba and Sturridge up front from now on, fuck the 4-3-3, Chelsea aren't quick enough to play that anymore.
Speaking of own-goals...feel sorry for Bridcutt, scoring two own-goals and having a team-mate grab a third but the third was rather classy in what he was trying to do.
Liverpool looked good, lots of movement if not always the finishes. But Brighton showed huge naivety in the way they set up and carried out their game plan. Yes, you can play a passing game against premiership opposition, but you still have to sit deep, stay compact and harry the better team.