It was the dog of the underdogs today at the FA Cup. Oldham surprised Liverpool with a 3-2 at Boundary Park. Leeds beats Tottenham with 2:1 and Chelsea will have to replay after the 2:2 against Brentford.
Oldham 3:2 Liverpool
The League One from Oldham shocked Liverpool in a classic FA Cup match. Liverpool started the game with Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini and only Gerrard started as a substitute. Oldham played well from the beginning and scored early in the 3rd minute when Smith headed a M’Changama’s cross past Liverpool keeper Brad Jones. Oldham kept playing forward which gave Suarez plenty of space and the consequence followed in the 17th minute when Suarez ran from his own half to scored the equalizer. Oldham came back and Smith scored the 2:1 just before half-time when he tapped in a Wabara cross from close range. Oldham even extended the lead right in the 48th after a beautiful back post header by Wabara. Rogers had to react and brought Gerrard with 35 minutes remaining in attempt to turn the game around. He instantly made an impact and his team created several good chances. Allen gave Liverpool hope after he volleyed past Olham keeper Dean Bouzanis after a corner and 12 minutes remaining. Liverpool wasn’t able to create anything else and Oldham secured another shock in the FA Cup!
Leeds United 2:1 Tottenham
Leeds totally surprised Tottenham who entered the match as one of the FA Cup favourites. Neil Warnock’s team came into this match as 11th in the Championship. Andre Villas-Boas fielded a strong side only Jermain Defoe was missing in the Tottenham squad. Clint Dempsey led the attack for the Spurs. Tottenham was punished with the first Leeds chance when Varney made the most of some poor defending – 1:0 Leeds. Leeds had another great chance just before half-time when McCormack was only denied by a superb Friedel. McCormack made it better just minutes later, when he finished a shot past Friedel into the top corner. Tottenham pushed everything forward now and Dempsey missed one of the biggest opportunities from only six yards. However, Dempsey headed the 2:1 in the 58th minute. The Spurs, again, threw everything forward but couldn’t create any significant chances. Oldham beat Tottenham with 2:1 and was the second huge surprise of the FA Cup weekend.
Leeds manager Neil Warnock was delighted and said: “I really enjoyed the match. We didn’t get anything other than what we deserved today and we had a few chances as well. It was a typical FA Cup game. They were like that when I was a kid.”
Brentford 2:2 Chelsea
Benitez’s side escaped a close embarrassment against Brentford after Torres equalized late at Griffin Park. Terry started the first game under Benitez. Torres and Marin started up front. However, Brentford had the first great opportunity through Forrester who missed an indirect free kick in the penalty area. Brentford scored the deserved lead in the 42nd minute through Trotta. Marin was replaced with Mata at the restart to create more create ideas and opportunities up front. It paid off in the 55th minute when Oscar scored a right-foot strike high past Brentford keeper Simon Moore – 1:1. However, Brentford came back and regained the lead with 17 minutes remaining. Forrester beat Chelsea keeper Turnbull powerful from the spot. Benitez brought on Ba to push everyone forward and it was Torres who saved Chelsea with a superb shot in the 83rd minute. Brentford received standing ovations from their fans and will have to replay the match at Stamford Bridge.
Oldham will face Everton FC and Leeds will meet Manchester City in the next round on February 16th.
