It is well known that the FA Cup is a competition famous for upsets, shocks and giant-killings with historic results including Wrexham beating Arsenal, Leeds shocking Manchester United and of course the Crazy Gang defying the Culture Club. So when the 4th Round swung in to action this weekend, Bradford City, Middlesbrough, Brighton and Cambridge were looking to add themselves to the famous list with big name killers. As well as this, the Capital One Cup final line-up was to be decided with the second-legs at Stamford Bridge and Bramall Lane host to two very close, exciting and enthralling semi-final deciders.
FA Cup
Let’s start on Friday night and the Abbey Stadium. Cambridge United are in the middle of their first season back in the football league, but that was put on hold as the record FA Cup winners and English League title winners Manchester United were in town. 76 places separated the sides, the biggest gulf of a 4th Round tie this year and with United running out their big guns, it looked very bleak for Cambridge. Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind were just a few star names turning out at the Abbey Stadium, with most not likely to have experienced anything quite as hostile, bobbly or enclosed in their professional careers so far. You knew Cambridge couldn’t go pound for pound with Louis Van Gaal’s Reds in terms of attacking quality, but they could definitely soak up the pressure, throw their bodies in the way and defend like lions to earn that money spinning replay the fans and players desire just as much as the possibility of winning. They were indeed lions on the pitch and despite Manchester United having 75% possession and 16 shots to 6 of Cambridge, they couldn’t breach the barrier that was Chris Dunn in goal. United came closest in the final minutes as Adnan Januzaj weaved into the box superbly only to see his shot cannon away off Dunn. Another shot came in, blocked by the excellent Josh Coulson. Then the ball dropped to Di Maria and the end looked nigh for Cambridge, until the sprawling Dunn saved again. Robin Van Persie spurned a sitter in the second half as did Falcao, but Cambridge back to front were sensational. The work ethic, energy, determination and commitment to the cause was unquestionable and they deserved their dream replay at Old Trafford. United were far from impressive and looked a side devoid of cutting edge and lacked quality to break down a side newly promoted to League 2, but the focus should be on just how well Cambridge played. The fact that the Cambridge players couldn’t swap shirts as there were no replacements so they would’ve had to pay £40 to replace it, sums up the gulf between the two and how great this result was to Richard Money’s men.
 |
| Credit: thesportspace.org |
Cambridge set the tone for the weekend, Bradford and Middlesbrough went in to their games with some confidence and hoped that they could go one step further. Chelsea and Manchester City, the Premier League’s top two were overwhelming favourites, but Bradford have history of being a cup giant-killer and Boro were flying high in the Championship. At the Etihad, City were leaving nothing to chance and started the regulars such as David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho. City seemed shaken from their loss to Arsenal the week before but chose to fly off to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp, even if they arrived just 20 hours before the match. This may have seemed arrogant and obnoxious from City’s point of view but it’s part of their commercial deal. Boro were not turning up to be whipping boys and in Lee Tomlin had a man constantly toying and troubling City’s defences. Tomas Meijas was a former player under Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid and came back to bite as he produced great saves in the first half to keep Boro in the tie, most notably from David Silva. In the second half, Boro came to the party and Tomlin ran the game. After countless City chances in the first, Boro quickly made those misses count. Fernando gave it to Albert Adomah who managed to clip the ball over Willy Caballero. As Fernando chased to clear the ball away, in came Paddy Bamford to block the ball in, the away fans went nuts behind the goal and the upset was on. Frank Lampard came on and nearly wrote his name into another City match but his effort deflected onto the post. Tomlin had similar luck, his majestic roll of the ball past the helpless Eliquem Managala couldn’t be finished as he bended the ball onto the inside of the post. Yet, Boro were to seal the deal, a slick break cut open the Premier League champions. Bamford rolled in Kike who finished with aplomb to complete the cup shock, City out to a Championship side for the second year running.
 |
| Credit: telegraph.co.uk |
Then, Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho said on Friday, “For me, it would be a disgrace it you lose to a lower league team.” Enter Bradford. Chelsea rested the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Diego Costa but still had a very strong side. Bradford have proven they are up to the big occasion, knocking Arsenal and Aston Villa over two legs out of the Capital One Cup two years ago. So, when Chelsea strolled into a 2-0 first half lead, everyone thought it was over. If Bradford were to add Chelsea to their scalps, it would be the biggest shock in FA Cup history. Just before half-time John Stead incredibly fired a goal back after Chelsea cleared a corner. Bradford sensed a chance and came out ready to take Chelsea on in the second half. Into the last 15 minutes, still 2-1. Bradford were becoming more dangerous and won a throw-in by the corner flag. James Hanson flicked on the throw, but Petr Cech denied Billy Knott. As the ball came out, the ex-Chelsea youth Filipe Morais smashed the ball into the gaping net, from 2-0 down, Bradford had levelled. You’d of thought that was that, the lower league side would hold for a replay, oh no! City came again, great work down the right put fans on the edge of their seat, TVs were back on and Bradford fans up in belief. John Stead once again involved as he laid off for Andy Halliday who beautifully curled the ball into the far corner, it was too good to be true. Chelsea 2-3 Bradford City. The Bradford fans couldn’t contain themselves, Captain Andrew Davies had jumped onto his team-mates on the bench, but the game was not finished. As Soccer Saturday announced a sixth goal, surely it had to be a Chelsea equaliser with the big guns on, far from correct. Bradford picked Chelsea apart as Stead again played a part, Mark Yeates the recipient of a brilliant spin and pass, Mourinho had conceded four for the first time in his career. The greatest FA Cup upset ever was complete, Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City.
 |
| Credit: thesportspace.org |
Elsewhere, the holders Arsenal edged a thrilling tie as they beat Brighton 3-2, showing they seem the team to beat this year. Liverpool and Sunderland were made to go to replays by Bolton and Fulham. Leicester dumped Spurs out as Crystal Palace stunned Southampton. West Ham and Aston Villa avoided replays and Reading made it past fellow Championship side Cardiff.
Capital One Cup
It was breath-taking, exciting, dramatic and edgy but finally, it was Chelsea and Spurs who reached the first cup final of the season. Chelsea needed extra-time to see off a dogged Liverpool who arguably deserved the win over two legs. Spurs held off a second-leg comeback from Sheffield United to send themselves to an all-London final on March 1st.
Sam Tonks
No comments:
Post a Comment