For any fan who doesn’t follow any of the eleven teams left in the FA Cup, there aren’t many standout ties at the last eight stage.
In fact, there is a real prospect of the ‘big four’ (Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham) being the four teams in the semi finals, you’d be forgiven for thinking the conclusion of the tournament is essentially a Premier League knockout.
United eased past Huddersfield, despite VAR controversy, and Chelsea put four past a belligerent Hull side.
City play Wigan tomorrow, although do not count out another win for a Premier League side.
However, the moment of the fifth round was Rochdale’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Spotland today.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side travelled to Turin on Tuesday to face Juventus and recorded the same result with a very credible performance.
Today, they were denied a clean route into the quarter finals by League 1’s basement side and 30-year-old Steven Davies.
Keith Hill’s Rochdale were not afraid of the top level opposition they were playing, and took the game to Spurs.
Goals from Lucas and Kane gave the away side the lead despite Ian Henderson’s opener, but the side 64 places behind their opponents equalised in stoppage time.
Another highlight was the 4,500 Coventry fans that travelled to the Amex for their tie against Brighton.
They went 3-0 down but never stopped chanting, and when Jonson Clarke-Harris pulled it back to 3-1 they went into another gear.
For a club that has had as many issues as the Sky Blues have had in the past few years, this cup run brings some hope back to the supporters.
They have club legend Mark Robins back in charge and look set for a League 2 promotion push.
They are not the only club to have had an enjoyable weekend however.
Paul Cook’s Wigan host Manchester City tomorrow, with a big crowd expected.
Latics would surely prefer to still be in the Premier League but memories of their FA Cup win in 2013, which arguably played a part in their subsequent relegation last season, will stay with the club forever.
Most Wigan fans have said they preferred an FA Cup win to staying in the Prem that season.
If they can somehow ensure that history repeats itself for a third time in six seasons by beating Pep Guardiola’s high flyers tomorrow, the conclusion of this year’s FA Cup will definitely be worth watching, with the draw far different to what many predict it will be following the replays.
RS Sport 