By Toyin Akiode
In England, the best opportunity to win a trophy for most clubs is the FA Cup. There are no two ways about it –
The FA Cup provides an even platform for all cadres of football clubs to have a go and dream of holding the revered silverware. While it is true that only the best club ever wins the trophy; it is also a fact that there had been some exciting surprises in the competition that the English Media usually tag ‘fairytale run’.
Some great examples of the above was the performance of Exeter City at Old Trafford in 2005. Despite the star power of Manchester United and pedigree; the non-league side held them to a 0-0 score line to force a replay!
More profoundly, Arsenal (then League One champion) was knocked out of the completion by third division club Wrexham in 1992. In recent times; Barnsley through a superb header from Kayode Odejayi put paid to Chelsea’s hope of defending their trophy by denying them appearance in the semifinals.
There was also the ‘crazy gang’ of Wimbledon – A team that upturned all punditry to slay all in their way through tactic of bullying aggression and sheer determination. Led by the trio of John Fashanu, Dennis and Vinnie Jones; they need only a 37th minute goal to see off a star studded Liverpool to rewrite history as arguably the most ‘unqualified’ team to win the FA Cup!
So as the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round kicks off later today; be prepared to see some exciting games and of course; some surprises. For the records; there are 13 EPL sides and 19 other leagues sides. Another reason for the excitement eeh?
FOURTH ROUND FIXTURES:
28.01.
13:30 Liverpool vs Wolves
28.01.
16:00 Blackburn vs Blackpool
28.01.
16:00 Burnley vs Bristol City
28.01.
16:00Chelsea vs Brentford
28.01.
16:00 Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
28.01.
16:00 Lincoln City vs Brighton
28.01.
16:00 Middlesbrough vs Accrington
28.01.
16:00 Oxford Utd vs Newcastle Utd
28.01.
16:00 Rochdale vs Huddersfield
28.01.
16:00 Tottenham vs Wycombe
28.01.
18:30Southampton vs Arsenal
29.01.
13:00 Millwall vs Watford
29.01.
13:30 Fulham vs Hull City
29.01.
15:00 Sutton vs Leeds
29.01.
17:00 Manchester United vs Wigan
31.01.
20:45 Leicester vs Derby
Note:
The matches between Leicester/Derby County and Sutton/Leeds were played yesterday
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