Leeds suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit against Crawley as the League Two side swept to a stunning 3-0 win, while eighth tier Marine’s hopes of causing the competition’s greatest shock were crushed in a 5-0 defeat against Tottenham.
After the spiking coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc with matches across the third round on Friday and Saturday, the FA Cup was back on more familiar ground on Sunday as Leeds became the competition’s latest big name to be knocked out by a feisty underdog.
While Marine’s romantic adventure was cut short by Carlos Vinicius’s hat-trick and Chelsea and Manchester City progressed to the fourth round with ease, Crawley’s unexpected success encapsulated the FA Cup’s unique charm at a time when football is badly in need of some positive news.
Numerous clubs have been hit by Covid-19 problems as the new variant sweeps across Britain, forcing Aston Villa and Derby to field teams of youth players for third round defeats against Liverpool and non-league Chorley respectively.
Despite calls for the English season to be halted, the FA Cup goes on for now and Crawley relished their chance to steal the spotlight.
Leeds sit 12th in the Premier League after a fine first season back in the top-flight, but boss Marcelo Bielsa paid the price for making seven changes at The People’s Pension Stadium in leafy Sussex.
On a fairytale day for Crawley, it was fitting that Nick Tsaroulla should open the scoring with his first career goal in the 51st minute.
Ashley Nadesan’s low shot crept under Kiko Casilla to double Crawley’s lead two minutes later and Jordan Tunnicliffe wrapped up the victory after 70 minutes.
“These players have got a lot to prove to the clubs who have released them and we’ve showed what we can do against a really good side,” Crawley boss John Yems said.
Rubbing salt into Leeds’ wounds, Crawley handed a debut to former reality television star Mark Wright as a late substitute.
How much Bielsa knew about Wright is in doubt, but he insisted he wasn’t surprised by Crawley’s display.
“It’s not a question of surprise. We knew the characteristics of their players. We had the ball for a long period of time but we couldn’t do much with it,” Bielsa said.
Vibrant Vinicius
Marine, of the Northern Premier League Division One North West, were trying to bridge the biggest gap – 161 places – between opponents in FA Cup history.
Marine’s squad is comprised of teachers, NHS staff, bin men and factory workers, with their tiny stadium in the Merseyside town of Crosby providing a surreal setting for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s stars.
Appropriately for a match against a team named after a local pub, virus restrictions meant Tottenham had to change in a stadium function room with a bar.
Marine’s ground is lined on one side by houses, so a few lucky locals were able to watch for free as Neil Kengni almost gave Marine the lead when his 30-yard drive cannoned off the bar.
Mourinho had made nine changes, with Harry Kane absent and Son Heung-min on the bench. But Tottenham took control in the 24th minute when Vinicius finished off Dele Alli’s pass.
Vinicius, on loan from Benfica, was on target again after 30 minutes.
Lucas Moura struck with a fine free-kick in the 32nd minute and Vinicius completed his treble five minutes later.
Alfie Devine enjoyed a debut to remember when the substitute fired home in the 60th minute, making him Tottenham’s youngest ever scorer at 16 years and 163 days.
Chelsea, FA Cup runners-up last season, thrashed League Two team Morecambe 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount marked his 22nd birthday with an eye-catching 25-yard strike.
After 12 games without a goal, Timo Werner finally got on the scoresheet in the 44th minute before Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz netted in the second half.
Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 win against second tier Birmingham at the Etihad Stadium.
Bernardo Silva struck with a superb half-volley after eight minutes and scored his second seven minutes later, with Phil Foden grabbing the third in the 33rd minute.
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