Yesterday I wrote an article about the FA Cup fourth round and I forgot to mention one key point: that of cupsets and there have been a few. So let us take a look where such slip ups have occurred.
Liverpool vs Wolves
Where else to start than at Anfield. I genuinely believed that, despite two previous defeats at home in the past week, that Liverpool would step up to the plate. They did not. Jurgen Klopp, for a reason I just do not understand, played a team that was not his strongest. I understand that Chelsea are lurking, but the FA Cup would have represented Liverpool with their only realistic chance of silverware.
However, that did not seen to register with Klopp as Liverpool lost 2-1 to a spirited and hardworking Wolves as reported on the Fotmob website.
Lincoln vs Brighton
Another cupset occurred between Lincoln City and Brighton. In my previous article I went for a Brighton win. I just thought they would have too much quality for the non-league side. How wrong I was. Goals from Alan Power (a penalty), Fikayo Tomori and Theo Robinson secured victory for The Imps.
Oxford vs Newcastle
Another shock result happened between Oxford United and Newcastle. Despite Oxford being 14th in League One and Newcastle second in the Championship, the former ran out comfortable winners. And let us be clear, this was not a close affair; it was emphatic.
A 3-0 victory with goals coming from Kane Hemmings, Curtis Nelson and Antonio Martinez.
The beauty of the FA Cup
With this in mind, I am treading carefully before predicting the games from this afternoon (Sunday). I wrote previously that Leeds would emerge victorious but who knows? And will it be a comfortable afternoon for Manchester United, who play the 2013 winners, Wigan Athletic, as reported on BBC?
One cannot tell and that is the beauty of the FA Cup. You just do not know. A team could be struggling in the non-league National League and still defeat a Football League team. A prime example is that of part-timers Salford City who in November 2015 beat League Two side Notts Country 2-0. And there are many other examples too. Although some of the big sides may prioritise the league games, the FA Cup will always be box office for the great surprises that its springs on us.