Spurs Bolton match abandoned as Fabrice Muamba collapses; Football in shock as FA Cup quarter-final grinds to a halt

The football world was in shock on Saturday evening as Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch at White Hart Lane during their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Tottenham.

The match was forced to be abandoned on 41 minutes as medical staff urgently rushed to the field to try and resuscitate the stricken Muamba.

He was eventually taken to hospital where it was later revealed he had been placed in intensive care. However the London Chest Hospital, where he will spend Saturday night, have stated that the midfielder is still ‘critically ill’.

The world of football can only pray that the former England Under-21 international can pull through.

Team-mates, opposing players and supporters alike were visibly distressed at White Hart Lane as Muamba collapsed to the ground close to the halfway line. Some were in tears and fans of both clubs simultaneously broke out into song, unanimous in support of the troubled star. Referee Howard Webb had no option but to order the players from the field and abandon the match immediately.

The FA Cup quarter final weekend had begun with such hope and promise as Everton and Sunderland conjured up a game of pride and passion in the day’s early kick-off.

Sunderland took an early lead, but their hopes of an FA cup semi-final appearance were halted as Everton drew level and forced a replay. A soaring free kick from Phil Bardsley in the 12^th minute saw Sunderland take the lead, but this did little to dent the confidence of the home team, and they piled on the pressure, forcing and capitalising on every mistake that the Black Cats made.

Everton’s dominance of the game was clear, and unsurprisingly they drew level in the 23rd minute as Cahill connected perfectly with the ball and sent a fantastic header flying solidly into the back of the net. Everton’s thirst for more goals seemed to grow stronger and they bore down on the Sunderland goal, forging several chances, but Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet was determined to do a good job, and on more than one occasion he saved his side from what could have gone on to be an embarrassing defeat.

The second game saw a Tottenham side looking to turn around a string of bad results against Bolton. As clear underdogs, Bolton needed to take every chance they had and took no time in pushing forward; they were rewarded as Gareth Bale nudged in the ball into his own net giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Instead of letting his head drop, Bale delivered a cross that Kyle Walker converted to bring the North Londoners level. With things back in their favour, Tottenham crafted more chances, and were clearly frustrated at their lack of execution. Bolton managed to hold their own, and tried to create chances, before referee Howard Webb was forced to call the game to an abrupt end.

Everyone at the Upcoming is praying for Fabrice Muamba and wishes him a speedy recovery.

Jamie Jubon & Sam McKavanagh