The beauty of FA Cup

I've always heard that FA Cup has a special place in the heart of the football fans, especially in England. And I got a taste of the brilliant football it can produce and it's ability to inspire teams to perform out of their skins, while watching yesterday's 5th round tie between Liverpool and Championship side Barnsley. It's great to watch lower rung teams challenge big opponents and put their lives on the line to secure something out of FA Cup matches.
Liverpool have been under so much pressure - poor performance in Champions league, they have spurned the wonderful start they had to their League season and their Manager Rafael Benitez has been under fire for some time now. Yet you would expect Liverpool playing at Anfield to have little trouble in getting past their unfancied opponents. As usual Liverpool were on their money looking like scoring many goals. But they could only afford a solitary goal in the first half and Barnsley were defending for their lives - that's what I meant when I said these teams put their lives on the line playing in such big encounters. And that attitude helped them get an equalizer in at the fag end of the first half.

Second half was predictable - Liverpool going for goals like they wanted 10 of them! And they did look like getting as many except for the desperate defending from Barnsley - specially their goalkeeper who kept like a man possessed. It was just amazing watching them stop everything and anything. And just when they seemed to be happy to hold on to a draw for a replay at home, Brian Howard scored off a beautiful effort in the injury time! His shot had no answer from the part time liverpool keeper and they were into the quarters. A team struggling in the Championship at No. 14 overhauled Champions League contender! On of those fairy tales the FA cup is known to dish out often - the very reason why one can consider watching matches which expected to be one-sided and yet get thoroughly entertained while watching. Just incredible!


At Old-Trafford, United were up against their title-rivals Arsenal. United had been under pressure since losing meekly to City last week. And if you are a United supporter, you would know what to expect - a strong come back. And that's what they came up with - a sterling performance to beat Arsenal 4-0. United looked on top all the time and in all departments of the game - something they were found wanting against City on. The victory was more special because it came without some big names - Ronaldo and Tevez their top two scorers so far. But it was great to see Rooney back and lift the team with his energy as he usually does. And so was it good to see Patrice Evra back at the left back position.
This victory could well spur United on ahead of the Champions League and also give mental edge over Arsenal race for the Premier League.