The FA Cup first round action kicked off last night with an early upset as non-league Tamworth defeated League One Huddersfield Town 1-0. As the part-timers out-battled and out-thought their higher league opposition, we thought we would take a look at 5 of the greatest FA Cup upsets of all time.
1. Manchester City 0-1 Wigan Athletic
The 2013 FA Cup final was meant to be a comfortable afternoon’s work for Man City as they looked to add another trophy to their growing collection. However, despite battling to retain their Premier league status, Wigan shocked the world by defeating their star studded opponents with a late Ben Watson header.
The victory was even more emotional for Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg whilst playing for Blackburn in the 1960 FA Cup Final defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers and had to wait another 53 years to taste victory.
2. Burnley 0-1 Lincoln City
In one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, non-league Lincoln City had battled their way to the 5th Round of the 2017 FA Cup, however not many people gave them much hope in a game against Premier League Burnley at Turf Moor.
Inspired by the coaching of the Cowley brothers, the non-league side secured a 1-0 victory with a late Sean Raggett header to become the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the FA Cup quarter finals.
A testament to the magic o the FA Cup if ever one was needed.
3. Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Everton
Former Toffee Kevin Ratcliffe led Third Division (now League Two) Shrewsbury Town to a memorable 2-1 FA Cup third round victory against Premier League Everton at Gay Meadow.
Inspired by a Nigel Jemson double, the second scored two minutes from time, ensured it would be a memorable day in the history of the Shews.
4. Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho stated before this game that it “would be a disgrace” if his team lost this game, however after leading 2-0 after 38 minutes, the Blues fell apart as goals from Jon Stead, Filipe Morais, Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates secured a famous victory for the then league One club and sent the travelling Bantams fans into delirium.
5. Leicester City 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
In perhaps one of the most romantic FA Cup stories of all time, Second Division (now League One) Wycombe Wanderers defeated Premier League Leicester City through a late Roy Essandoh strike who himself only signed for the club a week before the game, answering an internet advertisement for a striker.
The Chairboys advanced to the semi-finals where they were massively unlucky not to reach to FA Cup Final as they were defeated 2-1 by eventual winners Liverpool at Villa Park.
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