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There were not many surprises in the FA cup third round, but the shock results in the minority were certainly spectacular ones.

Manchester united remain 9/2 second favourites despite whimpering to a goalless draw against non league Burton Albion. This was the second time in as many seasons the Reds have been held by conference opposition, although it will mean a lucrative payday for Nigel Cloughs side when the two sides replay at old Trafford.

Middlesbrough were also held to a draw by conference north side Nuneaton Borough. former Leicester City apprentice Gez Murphy scored a 90 minute penalty to level matters after Gaizka Mendieta gave Boro the lead after 15 minutes.

Fulham became the first Premiership side to be dumped out of the cup, going down 2-1 at home to league Two side Leyton Orient on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday proved to be a bad day for Premiership sides with Tottenham Hotspur the next victims. The perennial FA cup underachievers surrendered a two goal lead at Leicesters Walkers stadium with the Foxes winning an entertaining match 3-2. Despite the stunning victory, championship outfit Leicester remain 200/1 underdogs to win the cup.

Elsewhere it was business as usual for the Premiership sides. chelsea, favourites at 11/4 needed an 81 minute winner to see off plucky Huddersfield while 11/2 third favourites arsenal had a late scare against battling Cardiff but clung on for a 2-1 victory.

Liverpool (13/2) were involved in a remarkable match with Luton Town, in which they found themselves 3-1 down after the break, although three goals in 12 minutes restored the Reds lead to 4-3, with Xabi Alonso scoring from inside his own half at the death for Liverpools fifth, a goal which earned one lucky punter over 25,000 after placing a bet on him achieving such a feat.

Blackburn despatched QPR by a convincing 3-0 as did Bolton away at Watford, while struggling Sunderland managed the same against non league Northwich Victoria.

A host of ties could only muster a single goal in the Premiership sides favour, with 25/1 newcastle edging past Mansfield, Gareth Barrys goal being enough for Aston Villa (33/1) to see off Hull and 100/1 outsiders Portsmouth to win at Ipswich.

The third round isnt over for Everton who drew 1-1 at Millwall, a scoreline repeated by West Brom against Reading and Wigan Athletic against Leeds. Birmingham City could only muster a goalless draw at league Two side Torquay united.

Soccer player's tips for a better performace. Tips and techniques to consider for the game of soccer.

Here are some ideas to consider when you are playing the game of soccer.

1. Keep the ball moving with one or two touches.This is also known as interpassing within a team setting.

2. play the ball with pace; make a crisp solid pass, whether it is a 3-meter or 20 meter pass.

Yes and to your team mate.

3. Play the ball and move.

Playing and moving covers the basic idea behind making runs, but the important thing to remember is to make these runs dangerous and make runs that lead to goal scoring opportunities or open up space for a team-mate.

Get the ball and lay it off and then make that run behind the defender again, so your team mate can chip the ball to you over the opposing players.

4. Give it and get it back.

Give and go or wall pass.

The basics for all of soccer is the ability to pass accurately to force opportunities. The key is setting up your defender.

You almost need to draw in the defender towards you, as though he or she is going to be able to intercept the ball, then give it and go - accelerating into the open space to receive the return pass.

5. When dribbling change your pace after making a move to beat an opponent player .

attack quickly when there's an advantage or an opportunity.

Try to keep the ball moving as quickly as possible. If there's a chance to break, then counter-attack with a few precise passes.

6. Keep the ball close to your feet when controlling the ball. Keep your head up and watch the field as everybody is moving.

7. When dribbling, try and touch the ball with every step you take. To ensure close control of the ball and then enhance your ability to cut the ball away from defenders.

8. Get the cross in. Try and aim for the area between the 6 and 18 yard boxes. This will make the goalkeeper come out and try and collect the ball.

This makes the goal open and vunerable. A cross directly infront of the goalkeeper is easy for the keeper to handle.

9. Take shots on goal and test the goalkeeper as often as possible in the first part of the game.

10. Always want the ball, and ask for it.

If you know that you are making great runs into space let your team know this.

This type of communication is vital for the development of great plays.

11. Always watch the ball, don't get caught because you were watching your opponents feet.

12. Always watch the movement of ALL players on the field.

13. Stick to your teams strategy and tactics for the day.

14. show respect for yourself by respecting the officials, the coaches, the opposing team and your own team.

During the many years spent wasting my time on the golf course, It has been my observation that some golfers can play with about any kind of swing...and some golfers can play with most any kind of clubs.

I think I fall into the first group. The few times I have built up the courage to go to a Pro for lessons, has been a frustrating experience for the Pro. The Pro usually walks away in disgust after a few attempts at analyzing the subtle mechanics of my swing. one pro even refunded my money and begged me not to tell anyone he had given me lessons.

Yet, somehow I managed to hit the ball and play with about a 12 handicap. How is this possible with a hack swing that is way to flat and way to short with the weight shift of a run away hippo. It's hard to say...but I think it is due to my excellent choice of clubs.

If you look in my bag, which always has a few too many clubs in it, you will find a hodgepodge mixture of this and that. Its something that just happened over a period of time. I really don't know how a person can play with a matched set of clubs.

IN MY bag

A Titliest D75D driver that I always carry. This titleist driver is the only driver I could ever hit with any slight consistency. I can hook the ball, slice it or hit it straight with this club...I just never really know when it's going to happen. Usually, there's another newer driver that I am trying out, you never know when you might find the Holy Grail.

A Hogan H40 3 wood. I used this club as my driver for years and I still fall back on it when the real drivers become uncontrollable...which is often. In fact, I can hit this club very consistently...I don't know why I even carry a driver. I guess it's a macho/ego thing.

A Cobra low profile utility wood. This is a good club out of the rough...depending on how the ball is sitting up. If the ball is sitting up too high, I sometimes pop it up...most embarrassing. Come to think of it, I probably should retire this club and just hit my three wood, but I can consistently hook this club and a hook out of the rough is a good shot the have in your bag. If I need to slice it, I grab my two iron.

Six through PW Cleveland SP2 irons. These clubs were made famous by Corey Pavin when he had his hot streak in the 80's. These are my money clubs and I love these irons. Unfortunately, they are very ugly with that tremendous offset shank. I had to endure a lot of ribbing when I first began carrying theses irons. My golfing buddies still call them garden tools.

Two through five Wilson blades. These are the surving members of my first set of irons I purchased in the sixties...that four iron is really sweet.

A Titliest one iron just for looks. I feel closer to God when I have it in my hand. I also use it a lot on the practice tee...I figure if I can learn to hit it, the other clubs will be a piece of cake.

A pair of 588 RTG Cleveland wedges. I really like that soft patina the clubs acquire after a little age. The only problem is my shiny spot is on the toe.

I also carry an old Golfsmith high lofted sand wedge, about a 62-degree I think...I occasionally like to try that famous over the head, Phil Nickleson shot. I never have been able to hit it...but I still keep practicing. I think it's a real handy shot to have in your bag.

An early Ping putter, never could putt very well with it, but I really like the sound when you strike the ball. I think it annoys my opponents.

That rounds out my set of golf clubs...with the exception of a few other clubs that I carry just because. Good golf is just a matter of matching the club to your swing and since I may have several different, swings on any given day the clubs I carry are entirely necessary. The only thing holding me back from breaking into the seventies is the load restrictions on my cart.

For more information on golf equipment go to Crazy Eddie's Golf Equipment You'll find Thousands of golf items so cheap you can use them once and throw away or break over your knee if you like.

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