Now, all the action in centerfield is producing a side effect: The middle of the pitch has become congested, leaving spaces out wide for wingers to exploit.

WSJ: Champions League Final: A Dream Match, This Is Not

With the additional space created by the two red cards and the Griffin injury, both sides looked to exploit the width of the pitch in extra time and first Odubade and then Edwards came close with rasping shots that flashed just wide.

BBC: Barrow 2-1 Stevenage (aet)

The performance was perfectly precised by a glorious Liverpool move five minutes before the break that saw them sweep across the pitch and set up Torres for a shot that smacked against a post, the Spaniard scuffing the rebound wide.

BBC: Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland

With the last kick of the game, Kolarov was just wide with another dangerous free-kick but it was Birmingham who hung on, leaving Mancini to trudge off the pitch knowing his players had missed a huge opportunity to boost their title aspirations.

BBC: Birmingham 2-2 Manchester City