The beauty of the FA cup was there for all to see on Saturday. Lower league teams braced the cold weather and showed they would not be pushed over. They proved they weren’t just there for a payday but there to compete and compete well.
It started with minnows Cambridge United on Friday night, when they took the challenge to a star studded Manchester United. Earning themselves a scoreless draw and a replay at Old Trafford. With their style of play they were definitely trying to win rather than park the bus and hope.
The magic of the cup continued as Middlesbrough put the sword to the expensive Manchester City squad at the Etihad. Pushing and pressing the Premier League champions until a defensive lapse lead to Middlesbrough’s first goal. As City tried for an equaliser, ‘Boro countered and sealed the deal. They deserved their 2-0 victory and were well worth the price of entry.
Bradford had their own drama, coming back from 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge against a stout Chelsea, to win 4-2 and record a famous victory.
Liverpool themselves played out a 0-0 draw against Championship side Bolton. But will these results effect the League Cup tie between the Reds and Chelsea?
On Tuesday of this week Liverpool will travel to the Bridge in search of a place in the final of the trophy that they last won in 2012. With Chelsea being soundly beaten and embarrassed by lower league opposition they may be out to prove something in the second leg. Trophyless last season, Chelsea look determined to lift something in either March or May.
During an interview before the season started Eden Hazard sat down with football magazine Four Four Two. After completing a successful season as an individual, PFA young player of the year and Chelsea player of the year to name a few, Hazard had this to say “On a personal level last season was good for me, but I want more. In the end, the most important thing is to win trophies“. He added “I want to win everything – the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. All three trophies are good. “
Needing no more motivation after being humbled by Bradford, Hazard, scorer of a penalty in the first leg, and Chelsea will be raring to go when Gerrard’s men march out of the tunnel. Chelsea will be looking to impress and may take their FA Cup faux pas out on Liverpool.
But Liverpool have their own ambitions of glory. With captain Steven Gerrard leaving for the MLS in the summer, Liverpool have stepped on the gas and are trying to cash in on their recent good form with some much needed silverware.
Manger Brendan Rodgers made his plans clear in a recent press conference that this year they must lift something. With the possibility of repeating a historic treble won by Gérard Houllier back in 2001 when his team collected both the League Cup and FA Cup while also picking up the then UEFA Cup, Brendan Rodgers again this season has a chance to go down in Anfield history.
