I, like thousands of other football fans up and down the country and even across the globe, was shocked to learn of Bradford City’s stunning 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. It was even more remarkable a story knowing they trailed 2-0. But is it the biggest giant killing ever?
With a weekend of incredible shocks such as Middlesbrough beating Man City, League Two Cambridge United holding Manchester United to a goalless draw, Spurs losing at home, Liverpool held at Anfield by Bolton and Swansea losing to Championship side Blackburn, there are some good candidates.
Mourinho is right, Chelsea should be ashamed "It's a disgrace for a big team to lose to a small team from a lower league. Me and the players must feel ashamed." He told the BBC. "Frustration is not the right word, embarrassed would be more appropriate."
The Portuguese won the cup in his first spell with Chelsea in 2007 and can take some heart in the fact that this is nothing new to Bradford. They beat Premier League opponents Wigan, Villa and Arsenal en route to a League Cup final appearance in 2013.
The Bantams manager Phil Parkinson said "The lads are absolutely bouncing in that dressing room and what they've done today will be remembered for a very long time.” He was also delighted with the classy act of Mourinho, dignified in defeat, the Chelsea manager went to the opposing changing room and shook the hand of each player.
But is it the biggest giant killing? There have been several over the years in the FA cup. In a 1964 tie, Oxford United 3-1 Blackburn Rovers, Fourth Division Oxford entertained the second placed club in the top flight before a then record 21,700 Manor crowd.
Another famous upset came in the Third round in 1948 at Turf moor, Burnley 0-2 Swindon. The Claret and Blues were involved in the title race whereas Swindon were trying to stave off the need of re-election to the Fourth Division.
Even Don Revie’s mighty Leeds succumbed to giant killings. In 1971, Colchester United 3-2 Leeds United, Fourth Division Colchester surprised everyone in a Fifth round tie that was deemed the biggest ever shock. Leeds were considered the best side in Britain and were top of the League and fielded ten internationals.
In my memory the two biggie’s that stand out most are Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal in 1991-92’s competition and Bournemouth 2-0 Manchester United in 1984. Wrexham were a Fourth Division side and Arsenal had been crowned League Champions the previous season, but still Wrexham managed to score twice in the last 8 minutes to cause a shock that was considered the biggest.
The Bournemouth match found the holders Manchester United caught out by Harry Redknapp’s Bournemouth of the then Third Division, and at the time was also considered the greatest giant killing of all. 'We don't get many days like this in Bournemouth' quoted Redknapp.
Former Liverpool star Robbie Follower told Match of the Day “Chelsea are by far the best team in England at the minute. They were 2-0 up at home against Bradford. For me this is the biggest shock.” Thousands agreed with him, in a BBC poll 77.2% picked the Chelsea game above any other.
Despite the classics mentioned above and all the things I have seen throughout the years following this great game, I have never been so surprised listening to the results coming in as I was on Saturday. It truly was a massive shock, but overtime we will regard it so much more because it came at a weekend full of FA cup surprises.
They call it the magic of the FA cup, I always thought this was a marketing ploy, but this weekend showed me what they meant. With shocks like the ones we have seen, that you would not get in any other sport, in any other league is doubtful, but for minnows to overcome teams filled with superstars is truly magical and I am forced to agree, there really is something magical about the FA cup.
Source: DSG
