Magic of the FA Cup

The 'magic' of the FA Cup returned last weekend for some lower league teams, although one tie isn't over yet..

Non-league Luton achieved a marvellous 1-0 victory away to Norwich, with chairman Nick Owen on a cruise in the Caribbean or something, and were rewarded with a home tie against Milwall. A great achievement it must be said because it is rare clubs of Luton's level make it past Round 3, but it can be done - just look at Crawley Town a couple of years ago, Havant and Waterlooville..

Milwall themselves beat Premier League strugglers Aston Villa 2-1, courtesy of a late winner. The loss puts more pressure on Paul Lambert, who will want to forget last week as quickly as possible having also gone out of the League Cup to Bradford (see last week's post).. He played almost his strongest team as well, and for the first 20 minutes, Villa looked to be in control, but Milwall got back into it and in the end, I think they deserved a victory.. On the bright side for Villa, they can concentrate on Premier League survival now, and with the transfer window all but over, they will have to do it as they are.

Brighton, Macclesfield and Aldershot's runs were all halted on Saturday, but all three pushed their opponents to the limit. Brighton TWICE came back against Arsenal before they were ultimately defeated 3-2.. Like Villa, they can now concentrate on the league, and promotion to the Premier League is looking possible for Gus Poyet's men, via the Play-Offs..

Macclesfield narrowly lost 1-0 at home to Wigan, after they knocked Championship flyers Cardiff out in the last round.. An early penalty was enough for Roberto Martinez's men, so if anything it was almost unlucky for Macclesfield, although had they achieved a draw, I'm not convinced they could have won at The DW.

Aldershot had possibly the closest run tie.. They scored an equaliser at Middlesborough in the 89th minute, and looked to have secured a replay, but Lukas Jutkiewicz's 96th minute winner was too much for the League 2 side..

Sunday was the 'upset' day though if ever there was one. The action started in London, where Brentford TWICE went ahead against Champions of Europe Chelsea, but an equaliser from Fernando Torres (yes, that is correct) 10 minutes from time will see the League 1 club visit Stamford Bridge in a replay.

Meanwhile, a drive up to Elland Road provided yet more drama as the Championship side achieved a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, although when Spurs got one back in the 58th minute there must have been some worry among the Leeds supporters. Nonetheless, their team held on to set up a tie with England Champions Manchester City.

The biggest shock came across the Pennines in a town called Oldham, where the League 1 strugglers held on to beat FA Cup royalty Liverpool 3-2. I watched the end of the game, and I did wonder 'how have they managed that', but the fact is, they did. Joe Allen's volley in the 80th minute set up a nerve-wracking finale, and when Steven Gerrard's shot rattled off the bar, Oldham must have known it was their day.. They now face that other Liverpudlian team, Everton.

Oh, and Blackburn beat Derby 3-0.

In other news, Manchester United signed Wilfried Zaha for a fee reported to be around £10million, with £5million worth of added fees, after the young England star passed a medical.. I hope Ryan Giggs wasn't around to see his T-Shirt with Imogen Thomas on the front!

Wesley Sneidjer stunned the world of football by choosing Turkish side Galatasaray over a whole host of Premier League suitors, and his arrival was followed by that of a certain Didier Drogba.. They better win the Champions League next year!

The biggest news though, that broke just before I started writing, is that (awful accent on) 'Super-Mario' (accent over) Balotelli is moving to AC Milan from Manchester City in a deal worth a reported £20million.. Was that picture of somebody weeing on his camoflage car the final straw? Anyway, it is a distraction that I'm sure Roberto Mancini will be glad to be rid of, so he can now concentrate on winning the League with those other 24 players at City. AC - good luck.

All I have to say for now, depending on what happens on Deadline Day, I may or may not do a January special, just keep your eyes posted..

Ciao.