MAGIC MOMENTS
FA Cup delivers shocks once more
“The best clubs. The best players. Every week.” That was the motto of the European Super League when it was launched in April before being quickly shelved amid widespread protests. The Super League’s argument was to have the very best 20 teams from the continent every week, the counter to that argument was in full evidence last weekend when the teams of the English Premier League entered the FA Cup in the third round proper.
The “Magic of the Cup” was in full effect, much to the disappointment of some of the bigger names who fell to teams lower in the pyramid.
There was a point on January 9 afternoon where Liverpool were losing at home to Shrewsbury Town and Tottenham Hotspur were losing to Morecambe Town, with both teams in the lower reaches of League One. The English Premier League sides eventually came good but not all of their peers could say the same.
Arguably the biggest of the giantkillings was at St James Park where Cambridge United traveled to Newcastle United with the League One side some 41 places below the hosts in the league table. It ended 1-0 to the visitors with Cambridge No.9 Joe Ironside scuffing home a winner on the ground where he watched his hero Alan Shearer score so many winning goals for the Magpies. At the other end of the pitch the star performer was Ironside’s teammate – and housemate – Dimitar Mitov as the Bulgarian keeper pulled off a string of saves to deny the hosts.
“What an occasion,” Cambridge boss Mark Bonner said. “There’s always a fairy tale and an upset in the FA Cup and we hoped it would be us this year but then we saw how strong Newcastle’s teamsheet was.
“This day will be remembered for decades. These are the moments you never forget and you never know how long it will be before you experience anything like it again.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had handed a debut to Keiran Trippier, the club’s first signing since the Saudi takeover, in front of watching chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. The new manager was phlegmatic in defeat: “We just have to take it on the chin and bounce back.”
Arsenal followed Newcastle in exiting at the earliest opportunity, losing 1-0 to Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who won the FA Cup as Gunners manager two seasons back, was devastated.
“It’s really hurting,” the Spaniard said. “It’s a competition that is very related to our history and to get out of it today is a big bump.”
Huddersfield Town, who are sixth in the Championship, also knocked out
English Premier League opposition by beating a Burnley side that has not won since October. That will not take anything from the Terriers, who also beat the Clarets on the way to winning their sole FA Cup – back in 1922.
Elswhere, League Two Hartlepool beat Championship side Blackpool, with the winner coming from teenage substitute Joe Grey with his first touch of the game.
There were more shocks in the third round with some non-league sides paying no respect to their positions in the pyramid and forcing their way into the fourth round draw.
National League North promotion chasers Kidderminster Harriers beat Championship side Reading 2-1 with a goal from Amari Morgan-Smith. Home fans invaded the Aggborough pitch on the final whistle amid complaints from the visitors.
Elswhere, Boreham Wood beat AFC Wimbledon 2-0, with the National League side managed by former Wimbledon player Luke Garrard.
“I’m on top of the world,” said an emotional Garrard. “This is my biggest achievement as the manager here for six years. It’s full credit to the players, I can’t describe it. They threw everything at us but we are good defensively and well drilled.
“I feel for them, it was a proper FA Cup tie with the wind and rain.”
They surely did before clearing their heads for the draw on Sunday, the same for all the giant killers who dreamed of drawing one of the bigger teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City or Manchester United.
“We want to be a [Football] League club and that’s our overall objective,” said Kidderminster boss Russell Penna ahead of the Fourth Round draw. “But these are the days that will never leave the memories of these players.”
They have a chance to make more memories as they host West Ham United in the next round while European champions Chelsea welcome Plymouth Argyle and Forest have been drawn with FA Cup holders Leicester City. Elsewhere, Boreham Wood travel to Championship side Bournemouth and Hartlepool’s reward is on a trip to Premier League Crystal Palace.
There are other chances for an upset in the mix too with Championship sides visiting English Premier League opposition. English champions Manchester City will host Fulham, Liverpool welcome Cardiff City and Manchester United/Aston Villa have been drawn with Middlesbrough.
Never mind the Super League, there’s magic in the old cup yet.
Editor’s Note:
The Beijing Winter Olympics are set to kick off on February 4. Global Times has picked some of the biggest names to keep an eye on.