FA Cup fifth round thrills, spills and upsets

Think English football, the first thing you think of is the FA Cup. First played during the 1871-72 First Division season, the FA Cup is one of the most talked-about and excitable competitions in the world and is England’s most prestigious trophy.

There have been some fantastic FA Cup fifth round games from over the years, and, even at this early stage, Manchester City are once more favourites to retain the trophy with odds of 15/8 whilst lagging behind are likely Premier League champions Liverpool at 5/1. Tottenham are 7/1 and Leicester City are placed fourth at 10/1.

The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all further behind and you can check out the rest of the odds across sites at Casinoza online casino as England’s finest come up against hardy challengers in the fifth round.

But, just which other fifth round games have stood out over the years?

Barnsley 3-2 Manchester United – 1998

Barnsley’s only foray in the top flight in their history came in the 1997-98 season; they were considered to be everyone’s favourites to go straight back down and indeed they did. But, a memorable FA Cup run – where they reached the quarter-finals – did a lot to offset that disappointment.

The Tykes had already beaten Bolton and Tottenham, but faced Manchester United at Old Trafford. With United the reigning Premier League champions, no one gave the South Yorkshire side a chance. Barnsley somehow managed to force a replay at Oakwell and, the rest, as they say, is history.

Goals from John Hendrie and a double from Scott Jones were just enough to wave goodbye to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, despite the efforts of Teddy Sheringham and Andy Cole.

Tranmere Rovers 4-3 Southampton – 2001

Prenton Park was the venue for this fifth round replay. Southampton had already dragged their feet in the first game at The Dell, but looked seemingly in control of proceedings against struggling Division One side Tranmere Rovers. The Saints went into the break, 3-0 up.

Yet, Rovers came out like a demon possessed in the second-half, with Paul Rideout’s hat-trick in a devastating 22-minute spell and Stuart Barlow’s late goal completing one of the most astounding and unbelievable comebacks in the history of the competition. The magic of the FA Cup, eh?

Liverpool 1-2 Barnsley – 2008

Barnsley’s love affair with fifth round shocks didn’t stop with Manchester United as Liverpool faced the same fate a decade on. Like in 1998, the South Yorkshire side were given no chance by fans, pundits or bookies alike as Liverpool had lost just three Premier League games before the Tykes’ trip to Anfield.

And, when the Reds’ Dutch dynamo Dirk Kuyt netted just after the half-hour, it appeared as though Barnsley would be sent home with their tail between their legs. But, Stephen Foster’s equaliser set up a grandstand finale. And, with Barnsley’s ‘keeper Luke Steele in the form of his life, the Tykes ran upfield with Brian Howard netting a last-minute winner to send them into the quarter-finals.

Burnley City 0-1 Lincoln City – 2017

It was the year of the Imp in the 2016-17 competition as Lincoln City made it all the way to the quarter-finals – the first non-league side to do so in 103 years – with a 1-0 victory over Burnley in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February 2017.

Dubbed a “football miracle”, Lincoln made it to the last eight for the first time in their 133-year history with their attempts to frustrate Burnley paying off as Sean Raggett headed into the Clarets’ net in the 89th minute. That sparked scenes of jubilation by the Lincoln players and fans as the Imps defied the odds to etch themselves firmly into football folklore.

Of course, they lost 5-0 to Arsenal in the quarter-finals, but, who really cares?

It is the only English tournament where giant killings are possible as lower and non-league sides take on the cream of the English crop. If you fancy a punt you can bet on the F.A Cup fifth round on platforms like fr.goldenrivieracasino.com where you can find bonuses of sorts as well.

FA Cup fifth round thrills, spills and upsets

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