Football Sport

FA Cup fourth round: Premier League clubs’ nightmare cup run

Written by Leanne Lu

The prevailing wisdom was that the fourth round of the FA Cup would be dominated by Premier League clubs, as most of the top teams were drawn against minnows from the Football League. However, the results showed the real magic of Cup, with some underdogs creating classic wins that humiliated their big club rivals.

Non-league Luton Town knocked out Norwich to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup

Non-league Luton Town knocked out Norwich to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup

Premier League clubs that encourage players to be patient and retain ball possession sometimes had trouble in adapting to the physical side of the game. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said the young players “disappointed” him after his team was beaten by a physical Oldham, a team currently struggling in League One. But it was non-league club Luton Town that created the most surprising result last weekend. They beat Norwich City, a well-run, mid-table Premier League club to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Hostile away atmospheres should take some credit for creating the big clubs’ nightmares. Millwall, a team from a working class area of south-east London, knocked out Aston Villa. Leeds United took their place in the final 16 after eliminating Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road Stadium. Chelsea almost became another surprise victim at the hands of League One club Brentford, saved only by Fernando Torres who scored to a draw for the Blues, earning a replay chance at Stamford Bridge.

Not many Premier League clubs have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup. Once again, Manchester United showed their consistency by beating Fulham 4-1, and they will face Reading next round. Arsenal fought hard to knock out Championship club Brighton, thanks to Theo Walcott‘s late winning goal. Everton will visit Boundary Park as the second club from the city of Liverpool to challenge Oldham in this season’s FA Cup.

Rodgers under pressure: knocked out from the FA Cup, the Reds now face a crucial league game against Arsenal

Rodgers under pressure: knocked out from the FA Cup, the Reds now face a crucial league game against Arsenal

The Premier League will see an important mid-week game between Arsenal and Liverpool. The game at Emirates Stadium involves two teams whose statures as top clubs have been jeopardized recently. With only three points between them, the game will be crucial for both clubs, especially in terms of confidence and momentum.