by THRILLS, spills and cupsets
It was a weekend where we saw the best and worst of FA Cup culture, from the plucky non-league elite of Maidstone United slaying Ipswich Town in a classic clash, to the oh-so-unfriendly crowd on the Hawthorns which is not even surreal, There was a really funny scene of a grown man dressed as a boiler making placatory gestures in an attempt to lower the temperature, that they are “scenes we want to see”.
There were other games too. Billed as the tie of the round, Manchester City’s visit to Tottenham on Friday was anything but. A dreary encounter in which the visitors ran around their hosts for 87 minutes without doing anything as vulgar as the scoring was settled by a controversial goal from Nathan Aké, the defender smacking home from a corner after the ball had been struck by Guglielmo Vicario. . The debate over whether or not Spurs goalkeeper Ruben Dias was dirty has been controversial, but he could hardly have expected more embarrassment had he not swapped places with [spoiler alert – Football Daily Culture Ed] A gullible young Mollie, who was learning her trusted friend Harry was a cheater for life in a much tougher competition that was broadcast on another terrestrial TV channel at the same time.
Playing their seventh FA Cup game of the season, Maidstone ensured they secured eighth place by beating Ipswich, despite the two clubs being separated by 98 places in the pyramid. In a textbook giant slaying, the National League South team of part-timers hit their luck with the kind of ferocious tenacity never before seen since AP McCoy hung his whip and saddle, scored the only his chance arose and he defended like. dervishes – with some woodworking assistance – to achieve their place over the last 16 years and the disappointing and unglamorous link at Coventry or Sheffield Wednesday that goes with it.
Despite their best efforts, League Two side Newport County failed to get into the hat, despite a thrilling two-goal comeback against Manchester United that prompted at least one daily football email author world famous for getting on their bar stools and redirecting the pub TV, having lost all interest in the game for the previous 23 minutes. Contradicting the long held theory that his right foot is only to stand on, Antony knelt down and offered thanks to the heavens above Rodney Parade after slotting home the goal that broke Newport’s heart. While the Brazilian hailed his strike as a first step on the road to redemption, more cynical commentators wondered aloud whether the 23-year-old had found his level.
Meanwhile at Fulham, Alan Shearer ditched his parodies for the first time since 1985 and looked to be having a great time as Newcastle eased into the fifth round. Despite his best efforts to keep his presence clear, his decision in January to always wear a coat and hat meant he stood out in a tough group traveling Mags and was it is duly stuck. And finally, a weekend of action where some impressive goals were scored, a fine solo effort from Jaidon Anthony was the pick. After losing his mum last week, the Leeds winger unveiled a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Rest In Perfect Peace Mum” and it was fittingly reserved for a tribute that was as heartfelt as it was uninspired . Since he had the West Brom Boilermaker on hand, if only a plea for some compassion and common sense was made as referee Lewis Smith reached out of his pocket.
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Join John Brewin from 7.30pm GMT for hot MBM coverage of Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Wrexham in the FA Cup fourth round, with Yara El-Shaboury on deck at 8pm for updates from Senegal 3-1 Ivory Coast at Afcon.
STATEMENT OF THE DAY
“I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I think we have to be very careful when talking about personal things especially. When someone makes a statement about what we have done personally. Secondly because I don’t think someone deserves to hear news like that. I have always said the complete opposite. That’s why I feel upset” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explains why he’s feeling so funky after reports were floated and quickly shot down that he would follow Jürgen Klopp and Xavi leave – for the Camp Nou – at the end of the season. “I’m in the right place with the right people. I am immersed in a beautiful journey with this football club and there is still a lot to do.”
DAILY FOOTBALL LETTERS
Re: Klopp leaves Liverpool as history repeats itself (Friday’s Football Daily letters). Eight months after leaving Liverpool in February 1991, Kenny Dalglish took over then second tier Blackburn, got them promoted and won the Premier League within four years. As a Rovers fan, I welcome one before the arrival of our new era of Klopp-fuelled dominance, starting around September” – Mark Rushton.
I am grateful to Klopp for many things but perhaps the biggest influence he had was that he made me believe in monsters. Monster mentality” – Peter Ó.
You have to feel sorry for Xavi. Have we ever seen a football player change from a joyful sprite to a dead-eyed depressive so quickly? He has a successful career with Barcelona – the old Barcelona, the magical one – he disappears for a while into the desert sands, returns as the prostitute and is quickly crushed. We know management does that to a player over the years, but that was, 18 months or so? Gloria transit sicsure, but the transit Looks indecently fast in this case. Another step down in Barcelona’s terrible spiral” – Charles Antaki.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s lucky letter winner is … Mark Rushton.
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