Monday 10 January 2011

FA Cup delivers its magic

It hasn't always been the case in recent years, but the FA Cup third round really delivered the Cup in its finest tradition over the weekend.

Fired by Leeds United's excellent draw at The Emirates (which was so nearly an away win for the Championship team), lower league teams exploded into action on Saturday afternoon.

League One Brighton beat Championship Portsmouth 3-1.
League One Sheffield Wednesday won 3-0 at League One Bristol City.
League Two Burton Albion beat Championship Middlesbrough 2-1.
Championship Doncaster Rovers drew 2-2 with Premier League Wolves.
League One Leyton Orient won 1-0 at League One Norwich City.
Championship Reading beat Premier League West Brom 1-0.
League One Southampton beat Premier League Blackpool 2-0.
Championship Cardiff City drew 1-1 at Premier League Stoke City.
League Two Torquay United beat League One Carlisle United 1-0.
League One Notts County won 2-1 at Premier League Sunderland.
Championship Leicester City held Premier League Manchester City.

And pride of place must go to League Two Stevenage who beat Premier League Newcastle United 3-1.

Add the interest of Kenny Dalglish returning to Liverpool and his first match being at Old Trafford in the Cup and it truly was a potent mix that didn't fail to deliver.

Let no excuses of bad refereeing decisions of weakened teams detract from this. It was a humdinger of a Cup weekend, and let's have plenty more.

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