Lower division clubs stun a few Premier League teams
The Football Association Challenge cup (FA Cup) is coupled with sensational matches as last weekend’s set exemplified. The most entertaining games of the weekend involved 13 Premier League teams with six failing to qualify for the next round.
Queens Park Rangers might have had the greatest upset of the weekend and the Rangers realized this when they were 4-0 down at a point whilst playing at home against Milton Keynes Dons, a League One club. Armand Traore’s own goal came early as QPR awarded MK Dons the lead. Antony Kay then sent a 70-yard pass to Ryan Lowe before the latter slid the ball past Robert Green for an astounding goal in the 40th minute. Lowe became the architect of the third goal by setting up his namesake, Ryan Harley, to extend the already baffling lead. Harley followed suit as he went ahead to provide the assist for Darren Potter, who found the net for the MK Dons’ fourth.
Harry Redknapp couldn’t quite believe his eyes. Nonetheless, the home side was able to muster in two consolation goals in attempt to leave the competition with some dignity. Jay Bothroyd’s goal in the 83rd minute and Fabio Da Silva’s strike nine minutes later was not enough to buy the Rangers a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Redknapp’s former team, Tottenham Hotspur, had a similar experience to QPR’s utter disappointment when the Spurs visited Leeds United. It took 15 minutes for Leeds to put one past Brad Friedel as El Hadj Diouf flicked the ball to Luke Varney, who went all the way to put a finish a fantastic goal. Diouf was there again to assist Ross McCormack for the Peacocks’ second goal. Clint Dempsey pulled the trigger and hit his target in the 58th minute but his effort was deemed consolatory as Leeds advanced to the fifth round.
But the most entertaining game was the fixture between Oldham Athletic and Liverpool. Matt Smith triggered an episode of excitement amongst the home fans when he scored in the third minute. Luis Suarez granted his the equalizer 14 minutes later but Smith, again, finished off the half with another goal that shocked Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers and his side suffered yet another setback in the game when Reece Wabara doubled Oldham’s advantage with a fine header. Joe Allen netted is first Liverpool goal but it wasn’t enough to see his team to the next round. Oldham concluded a weekend that can best be described as brilliant with a well-deserved win over Liverpool.
Brentford, a League One club as well, was on the verge of eliminating defending champions Chelsea Sunday afternoon. Luckily for the Blues, Fernando Torres finally found the net to make the score 2-2 and save Chelsea from embarrassment.
The other FA Cup fixtures involving Premier League clubs did not feature much drama.
Stoke City hosted Manchester City and the Potters’ hearts were sunken when Pablo Zabaleta’s late strike gave City the lead and a ticket to the first round.
City’s neighbors, Manchester United, hosted Fulham at Old Trafford. The Red Devils demolished the Cottagers 4-1 with goals from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney as well as a brace from Javier Hernandez.
The fifth round matches will be played on Feb. 16. Keep in touch on BBC, Sky Sports and Fox Soccer for entertainment from the world’s best sports league.
