The English League Cup has always been known as a ‘second rate’ competition (nicknamed the ‘Mickey mouse’ cup), in an already packed English football schedule. Though the bigger clubs frown upon the competition, it also gives them an opportunity to test out their bench strength and reserve players.
As a ‘cash rich’ Manchester City and Premier League high flyers Everton (currently 3rd after a great start to the current season) crashed out of the ongoing English League Cup (City went down 4-2 to Aston Villa while Everton lost 2-1 to Championship side Leeds United), the mind goes back to some really memorable League Cup matches, where David prevailed over Goliath.
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From lowly Walsall beating Arsenal in 1992, to Southend sending Manchester United out in the 2006 edition, League Cup football has always had its romance of an underdog prevailing over higher ranked Premier League opposition.
Here’s a list of some really memorable League Cup ‘Giant Killing’ acts, where the smaller clubs have taken the ‘Mickey’ out of their more fancied counterparts!
1. Sheffield Wednesday beating Manchester United in the 1991 Final
Sheridan exults after his volleyed winner against United
Wednesday were up against reigning FA cup holders United in the 1991 final, and were widely expected to lose by a huge margin. Alex Ferguson had just started his management career at the ‘Red Devils’, and his side were hot favourites to win against the Second Division Wednesday. But former United manager Ron Atkinsons’ side had other plans, as an amazing volley from John Sheridan gave Wednesday a memorable win, and their first ever League Cup trophy.
2. Southend winning against Ronaldo and Co in 2006
Eastwood drives it over the United wall!
Ferguson was at the recieving end once again in 2006, as United were up against Southend in a fourth round fixture. United had won the previous edition of the League cup, and a side boasting of Cristiano Ronaldo(at the peak of his prowess) and Wayne Rooney could have easily won by a landslide margin. But Southend tore the formbook apart, as they put up a fighting display, with striker Freddy Eastwood hitting a ferocious free kick past United keeper, Tomas Kuszczak, which ultimately proved to be the winner. Though United did try their level best to equalise in the latter stages, some great goalkeeping by Southend custodian, Darryl Flahavan ensured a Southend victory, and a night to remember for the Roots Hall faithful!
3. Clarets bring down ‘Roman’ empire!
Jensen saves Obi Mikel’s penalty to give Burnley a famous win at Stamford Bridge!
Burnley were to face Russian billionaire Roman Abrahimovichs’ Chelsea in a fourth round tie at Stamford Bridge. In what proved to be a thrilling contest, Chelsea expectedly took the lead through Didier Drogba early into the game. But the ‘Clarets’ turned out to be no pushovers, as they got back in the game through an Ade Akinbiyi goal in the second half. What followed next was Drogba vs the Burnley defence, as Burnley held on superbly in extra time to deny Chelsea a winner. The rest was history, as John Obi Mikel lost his nerve and his penalty, expertly saved by Burnley keeper Brian Jensen, gave 6000 travelling ‘Claret’ fans a reason to cheer for!
4. Gunners Wallsall’ed’!
The newspaper headlines following Walsall’s epic win over Arsenal!
Walsall had done a ‘giant killing’ act by beating Arsenal in the 1933 FA Cup, and 50 years on, repeated that once again in their 1983 ‘Milk Cup’(the League Cup was know as the ‘Milk Cup’ way back then) fourth round tie at Highbury. Arsenal, under manager Terry Neill, were not enjoying their best of seasons and this fixture could have helped them get their form back. Arsenal took the lead through Stewart Robson on the half hour mark, and were cruising along to a predictable win. But Walsall equalised through Mark Rees and went on to repeat their 1933 triumph, when Ally Brown took advantage of some lackadaisical Arsenal defending to score the winner and help Walsall to a famous win. The result meant Neill was sacked as Arsenal coach, with George Graham replacing him as the new Gunner boss.
5. ‘Cobblers’ wash out Liverpool at Anfield!
Jacobs scores Northampton’s second at Anfield; The League Two minnows put up an inspired show to beat Liverpool on penalty shootouts!
Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool faced League Two outfit Northampton in a third round fixture in 2010. Consisting of reserve players, Liverpool took an early lead through winger Milan Jovanovic. But Bill Mckay equalised for Northampton late in the second half, which ensured extra time. Come extra time, Michael Jacobs stunned Anfield, when he scored past Liverpool keeper Brad Jones, to send the travelling Town fans cheering wildly. But David Ngog proved to be Liverpool’s saviour, as he rescued Liverpool with a late equaliser. More drama followed in the penalty shootouts, as both sides missed a penalty each (Ngog missed for Liverpool!) and Liverpool’s Nathan Eccleston hit his shot against the bar. Northampton’s Abdul Osman held his nerve in the searing rain and scored past keeper Jones, to give the ‘Cobbler’s’ a famous win and passage to the fourth round.
Though Cup football has seen many upsets in its long and illustrious history, the writer feels the above matches definitely deserved a place in the top 5!
