For many people the FA Cup is a welcome change to the regular season – especially if you’re a fan of a club who is struggling, or in mid-table mediocrity, lower down the football pyramid.
Over the years, I remember many great shocks and giant-killings during the third and fourth rounds, with lower league minnows causing an upset against Premier League clubs.
Me being a (whisper it quietly) Leeds United fan, I remember all too well, our shock smash-and-grab at Old Trafford way back in 2010, when we were flying high in League One and the Red Devils finishing just one point behind Premier League winners Chelsea that season.
It is also worth noting that this was a long time before VAR was introduced into the sport and me referencing that particular game is actually a good tie-in to this, because Jermaine Beckford’s goal in some ways could have caused VAR controversy at the time, had he been a second or so late with his run off Wes Brown, who was the last man.
Incidentally, VAR was absent for the most recent fourth round of FA Cup matches, which added extra opportuntiy for teams – especially overwhelming underdogs, to try and pry an extra advantage.
What Incidents Stuck Out?
Indeed, I think the Leyton Orient tie at home against Manchester City gave the League One side a great chance against a side that is still having teething problems rediscovering their form and who would have had more than one eye on their next game – a crucial Champions League play-off tie at home against Real Madrid.
And, a giant-killing did look possible after just 16 minutes, after a stunning 50-yard strike from midfielder Jamie Donley, which thundered off the crossbar onto a helpless Stefan Ortega and into the net. If you were one of those who had bet on the number of bookings in this game, then you may (or may not) have been fortunate that the absence of VAR ruled out a foul from Sonny Perkins on City debutant Nico Gonzalez who went off injured. Had VAR been active, this would almost certainly have resulted in a free-kick and a likely booking.
Leicester City were also victims of the absence of VAR less than 24 hours earlier as they lost 2-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford, after a controversial 94th minute goal courtesy of former player Harry Maguire, who appeared to be offside. There would likely have been many who had bet on the possible outcome of the away side winning on penalties and, had VAR been active, this could have been the result.
I know many have complained about VAR being used in matches and that it is unnecessary, though I’d be interested to see how many of those fans who complained about it, were its victim during the FA Cup fourth round.
It will certainly be interesting to see whether this returns for the next round, especially with a place in the quarter-final at stake.