Five Things Learnt from FA Cup Round Three
Liverpool’s youth aren’t that great and Manchester United are still boring
The FA Cup Third Round. There is nothing else like it in world football.
Yes the big boys entered the FA Cup this weekend and with a brief break from league football, it gave others a chance to shine and it also took people’s minds off their current league form.
But what were the main talking points from Third Round weekend.
Well here are SillySeason‘s Five Things Learnt from the FA Cup action.
5) The Magic Lives On
Oxford United stole the headlines over the weekend as the League Two side beat Premier League outfit Swansea City on Sunday.
Despite being third in League Two and on a good-run of form, Oxford of course went into the game as underdogs, but because of the magic of the FA Cup, they booked their place in the hat for Round Four and they did so in style.
3-2 they ended up winning and it was a brilliant spectacle with both teams playing some nice, attractive football throughout.
A big away trip to a Premier League giant will surely be on Oxford’s radar for the next round.
4) Several Came Close to Cupsets
Oxford United stole the headlines for their cupset, but so many others came so very close to doing the same.
Wycombe Wanderers pushed Aston Villa all the way and managed to book themselves a replay at Villa Park thanks to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
Eastleigh nearly stunned Bolton Wanderers but once again came away with a 1-1 draw, booking their replay at the Championship ground.
Bristol City of the Championship were moments away from beating West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, but a late goal ended the game all level at 2-2.
League Two Portsmouth also drew 2-2 with Championship side Ipswich Town, and of course Exeter City got a credible 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
3) Manchester United Are Still Boring
At home against a League One opposition, you’d think it’s time to turn on the style and net yourselves some goals. Oh no.
Manchester United were the same old boring self and had to rely on a stoppage time penalty to beat Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
There have been videos since showing a fan even falling asleep whilst watching the game, and that perfectly sums up United these days.
Paul Scholes went in deep on Louis van Gaal’s men after the game, claiming everyone associated with the club are bored.
Concerning times at United that’s for sure.
2) Liverpool’s Youth Not Good Enough
It would have been interesting to see what team Jurgen Klopp would have fielded if he didn’t have 11 injuries to contend with.
However, he was forced into playing some young faces and quite frankly, they didn’t make the cut on Friday night.
They struggled to overcome a League Two side and eventually came away with a 2-2 draw.
These youngsters at Anfield aren’t even that young in terms of footballing age anymore, and if they can’t see off a League Two side, then simply they aren’t good enough for Liverpool.
Not sure any of them that featured on Friday night will make it in Merseyside.
1) Who Doesn’t Love the FA Cup
You’ve just got to love it.
There is nothing quite like it in world football and it’s just a joy to watch.
Some of the games over the weekend contained the highest quality of entertainment. Oxford United beating Swansea City, Exeter City holding Liverpool and Spurs/Leicester putting on a clinic at White Hart Lane.
Can’t begin to understand why people say the FA Cup has lost it’s magic.
It never has and it never will.
So there are our Five Things Learnt from Round Three of the FA Cup.
What about you?
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt