Premier League title challengers Chelsea and Manchester City both crashed out of the FA Cup after being sensationally beaten by lower-league opponents in the fourth round on Saturday.
A weakened Chelsea team threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at home to third-tier Bradford City in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s recent history, while City lost 2-0 to Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough at the Etihad Stadium.
 |
| UNBELIEVABLE: Mark Yeates celebrates scoring Bradford's fourth goal against Chelsea |
With Southampton beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace, it means that none of the Premier League’s top three teams will feature in Monday’s fifth-round draw, blowing the competition wide open.
Manchester United, who are fourth in the Premier League, face a replay against fourth-division Cambridge United after a 0-0 away draw against the League Two club on Friday.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had warned prior to kick-off at Stamford Bridge that it would be a “disgrace” if his side were beaten by Bradford.
But his words came back to haunt him as the League One team pulled off an upset that brought to mind their stunning run to the League Cup final in 2013.
Chelsea made nine changes to the team that had drawn 1-1 with Liverpool in Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg and took a 21st-minute lead when Gary Cahill flicked in Oscar’s corner.
Ramires made it 2-0 in the 38th minute after a one-two with Mohamed Salah, but Jon Stead replied for Bradford three minutes later and former Chelsea youth player Filipe Morais equalised 15 minutes from time.
A money-spinning replay beckoned for the team who are currently seventh in the third tier, 51 places below Chelsea, but they went ahead in the 82nd minute when Andy Halliday found the top corner from 18 yards.
Mourinho introduced Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard from the bench, but it was Bradford who had the final say as substitute Mark Yeates calmly slotted home to claim his own piece of FA Cup folklore.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini was left to face questions about his side’s midweek trip to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp after they were eliminated by Middlesbrough.
Currently second in the Championship, Middlesbrough weathered heavy pressure in the first half before capitalising on some farcical defending to take a 53rd-minute lead through on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.
Fernando’s back-pass sold Willy Caballero short and after the City goalkeeper collided with Albert Adomah, Fernando slid in to clear, only to play the ball against Bamford, whose touch took the ball in.
After Lee Tomlin had hit the post for Middlesbrough, with Frank Lampard replying in kind, substitute Kike secured victory for the visitors in stoppage time by finishing off a counter-attack led by Bamford.
City, who visit Chelsea in the league next weekend, have now lost successive home games for the first time in three years, having lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal last weekend.
Sixth-placed Tottenham were another team to suffer at home as the Premier League's basement side Leicester City came from behind to win 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
Spurs went ahead from the penalty spot after 19 minutes through Andros Townsend, but the Foxes' industry was rewarded with seven minutes left when Leonardo Ulloa swept the ball home.
There was then drama in stoppage time when Michel Vorm allowed a scuffed shot from Jeff Schlupp to squirm over the line.
Swansea, ninth in the top-flight, had earlier lost 3-1 to Championship side Blackburn at Ewood Park in the lunchtime kick-off.
The Swans had Kyle Bartley sent off early on, but Gylfi Sigurdsson, who also saw red in the closing stages, put them ahead in the 21st minute only for Chris Taylor to equalise two minutes later, and late goals from Rudy Gestede and Craig Conway sent Rovers through.
Sunderland were held to a goalless draw at home by Championship side Fulham after playing the final 24 minutes with only 10 men following Jack Rodwell's dismissal for two bookable offences. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com