TV BOSSES STILL UNITED FANS

FOR anyone who revels in the spirit and traditions of english football, the most exciting 15 minutes of the season took place between 4.40pm and 4.55pm on saturday. In that brief period, chelsea, Manchester city and Tottenham hotspur all exited the FA cup at home to lower-ranked opposition. The results at stamford Bridge and the etihad stadium, in particular, were little short of astonishing. Over on sky, the great Jeff stelling (right) at the helm, the studio was in uproar. however... as of 4.55pm on saturday, the teams confirmed in the FA cup fifth round draw were Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Reading, Bradford city, Derby county, crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and leicester city, and that loud bang was the sound of television executives blowing their brains out. The winners of the drawn matches between Fulham and sunderland and Preston North end and sheffield United were not expected to greatly change the mood, either. The men in front of camera might glory in the romance and magic of the FA cup, but the ones signing the cheques know the truth. As much as we all love giant-killings, on the day and in the moment, if Palace versus Reading ends up as one of the glamour ties in the next round it will play about as well in the front rooms of the nation as a leadership debate between six empty chairs and Plaid cymru. The TV boys will be on their knees praying Manchester United do the job in their replay against cambridge United, and that liverpool win at Bolton Wanderers. We are often reminded this country loves an underdog, and that may be true — but the viewing figures suggest that, deep down, we like Manchester United to play liverpool even more.