ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST FA Cup final upset ever, Man City and their millions took on Premier League strugglers Wigan, who defied all the odds to defeat Roberto Mancini’s side. The Latics subsequently became the first side to get relegated and win the FA Cup in the same season.
A nightmare for Newcastle and Alan Pardew as they were stunned 3-1 by League Two outfit Stevenage. In losing, the Magpies became just the fourth Premier League side ever to get beaten by a fourth-tier team.
Still the last non-league team to beat a top-flight side at home — only Luton have emulated Sutton’s feat since, beating Premier League Norwich away in 2013. The victory was all the more remarkable given that Coventry had won the FA Cup only two years previously.
5. Bournemouth 2-0 Man United (1984)
PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
One of Harry Redknapp’s finest hours, quick-fire second-half goals from Milton Graham and Ian Thompson saw Third Division Bournemouth secure an unlikely victory over FA Cup holders Man United.
Another highly improbable outcome — Leeds of League One went to Old Trafford and beat the reigning Premier League champions, despite the Red Devils fielding a relatively strong side that included Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
To put into perspective the scale of shock at the time, Arsenal were second in the top flight while Wrexham were struggling at the bottom of the Football League. All appeared to be going to plan when Alan Smith put the reigning league champions ahead, before late goals from Mickey Thomas and Steve Watkin sent the home fans into ecstasy.
Non-league Hereford had already brought Newcastle to a replay, but the Magpies looked to have finally beaten their non-league opponents, when Malcolm Macdonald put them ahead late in the game. However, a famous goal from Ronnie Radford brought the match to extra-time, before Rickey George’s strike ensured a stunning victory.
A controversial choice admittedly, but given that the chasm between the top flight and other divisions is now bigger than ever in terms of wages, transfer fees etc, this result was an almighty shock. For a League One side to go to Stamford Bridge and beat the team most people expect to be lifting the Premier League title come May was a truly incredible feat.
Do you agree with our choices? Let us know in the comments section below.
Power ranking the 8 biggest-ever FA Cup upsets
8. Man City 0-1 Wigan (2013)
ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST FA Cup final upset ever, Man City and their millions took on Premier League strugglers Wigan, who defied all the odds to defeat Roberto Mancini’s side. The Latics subsequently became the first side to get relegated and win the FA Cup in the same season.
7. Stevenage 3-1 Newcastle (2011)
A nightmare for Newcastle and Alan Pardew as they were stunned 3-1 by League Two outfit Stevenage. In losing, the Magpies became just the fourth Premier League side ever to get beaten by a fourth-tier team.
6. Sutton 2-1 Coventry (1989)
Still the last non-league team to beat a top-flight side at home — only Luton have emulated Sutton’s feat since, beating Premier League Norwich away in 2013. The victory was all the more remarkable given that Coventry had won the FA Cup only two years previously.
5. Bournemouth 2-0 Man United (1984)
One of Harry Redknapp’s finest hours, quick-fire second-half goals from Milton Graham and Ian Thompson saw Third Division Bournemouth secure an unlikely victory over FA Cup holders Man United.
4. Man United 0-1 Leeds (2010)
Another highly improbable outcome — Leeds of League One went to Old Trafford and beat the reigning Premier League champions, despite the Red Devils fielding a relatively strong side that included Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
3. Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal (1992)
To put into perspective the scale of shock at the time, Arsenal were second in the top flight while Wrexham were struggling at the bottom of the Football League. All appeared to be going to plan when Alan Smith put the reigning league champions ahead, before late goals from Mickey Thomas and Steve Watkin sent the home fans into ecstasy.
2. Hereford 2-1 Newcastle (1972)
Non-league Hereford had already brought Newcastle to a replay, but the Magpies looked to have finally beaten their non-league opponents, when Malcolm Macdonald put them ahead late in the game. However, a famous goal from Ronnie Radford brought the match to extra-time, before Rickey George’s strike ensured a stunning victory.
1. Chelsea 2-4 Bradford (2015)
A controversial choice admittedly, but given that the chasm between the top flight and other divisions is now bigger than ever in terms of wages, transfer fees etc, this result was an almighty shock. For a League One side to go to Stamford Bridge and beat the team most people expect to be lifting the Premier League title come May was a truly incredible feat.
Do you agree with our choices? Let us know in the comments section below.
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