Leeds United on Sunday suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit against Crawley Town 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 Hotspur.
After the spiking COVID-19 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 feisty underdogs.
While Marine’s romantic adventure was cut short by a Carlos Vinicius 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 soccer is badly in need of some positive news.
Photo: Reuters
Numerous clubs have been hit by COVID-19 problems as the new variant sweeps across the UK, forcing Aston Villa and Derby County to field teams of youth players for third-round defeats against Liverpool and non-league Chorley respectively.
Despite calls for the season to be halted, the FA Cup continued and Crawley relished their chance to steal the spotlight.
Leeds are 12th in the English Premier League after a fine first season back in the top flight, but coach Marcelo Bielsa paid the price for making seven changes at The People’s Pension Stadium.
On a fairy-tale 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 coach John Yems said.
Rubbing salt into Leeds’ wounds, Crawley handed a debut to former reality TV star Mark Wright as a late substitute.
How much Bielsa knew about Wright is in doubt, but he said that he was not 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.
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, health workers, refuse collectors and factory workers, with their tiny stadium in 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, pandemic restrictions meant that Spurs 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 long-range drive cannoned off the bar.
Tottenham, without Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, took control thanks to two close-range finishes by Vinicius within six minutes.
Lucas Moura struck with a fine free-kick in the 32nd minute and Vinicius completed his hat-trick 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.
“The boys were professionals and didn’t stop until the game was over. The attitude means a lot for me, and also for the competition and to Marine’s guys, because they felt we played seriously,” Mourinho said.
Chelsea, FA Cup runners-up last season, thrashed League Two Morecambe 4-0.
Mason Mount marked his 22nd birthday with a long-range goal and, after 12 blank games, Timo Werner finally got on the score sheet in the 44th minute.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz netted in the second half.
Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 win against second-tier Birmingham City at the Etihad Stadium, with two goals from Bernardo Silva and one from Phil Foden.
Barnsley defeated Tranmere Rovers 2-0, Bristol City edged Portsmouth 2-1 and Cheltenham Town saw off Mansfield Town by the same score.
Brighton & Hove Albion needed penalties to see off League Two Newport County after both sides scored in stoppage-time in a 1-1 draw.
Solly March’s opener for the Premier League side was canceled out by Adam Webster’s own-goal, but after no further goals in extra-time, Webster made amends with the winning spot-kick.
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