Liverpool, Tottenham latest to be humbled in FA Cup upsets
LONDON • Liverpool and Tottenham were humbled by lower-league opposition in the FA Cup on Sunday, joining a lengthy list of Premier League teams to exit at the fourthround stage of the world’s oldest knockout competition.
Third-tier struggler Oldham stunned Liverpool with a 3-2 win while Spurs lost 2-1 at Leeds, which is mid-table in the second-tier League Championship. Chelsea was spared a similar fate by Spain striker Fernando Torres, who earned the holders a replay with a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw at third-tier Brentford.
The FA Cup has been made famous over the years for so-called “giant killing acts” and this season has proved no different, with nonleague team Luton beating Norwich away 1-0 on Saturday and both Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers also falling to lowly sides.
Fourth-tier Bradford set the tone this season by reaching the League Cup final after knocking out both Arsenal and Aston Villa, giving its peers hope of beating the country’s big names.
“You have to take it on the chin, but there has been plenty of warnings throughout the weekend,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. “If your application is not right, you can get found out.”
Both Liverpool and Tottenham fielded weakened lineups but they still contained a raft of internationals and millionaire players, who didn’t appear to be up for the fight until it was too late.
“I am left speechless by the result,” said Oldham striker Matt Smith, who scored twice for a team that is 55 places lower than Liverpool in English football’s rankings.