The early exit of several big clubs has opened up this season’s FA Cup field ahead of this weekend’s quarter-finals.
Of the eight teams left in this season’s FA Cup, only one (Manchester City) have won it before this century. Four (Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Fulham) of them have never got their hands on the oldest trophy in club football. The FA Cup field is primed for an underdog to go all the way.
Aston Villa and City remain in the competition and are the bookmakers’ favourites to add to their sizeable trophy collection, although the former last won the FA Cup in 1957. The safe money would be on Erling Haaland bludgeoning his way through the opposition to add a silver lining to Manchester City’s otherwise dull season.
City, however, aren’t the force they were 12 months ago. Pep Guardiola’s team have already lost to Aston Villa this season. And Bournemouth. And Brighton. And Nottingham Forest. They have drawn against Palace too. In fact, the only teams left in this season’s FA Cup not to have taken points off City this season are Fulham and Preston North End.
Forest surely fancy their chances of going the distance. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team have been the biggest surprise package of the Premier League season so far. The way things are going with Forest sitting third in the table, the famous Champions League anthem will be heard at the City Ground next season.
FA Cup glory, however, would give Nottingham Forest their greatest day at Wembley for 65 years. Not even Brian Clough got his hands on the trophy during his time at Forest. Nuno can do something that not even the greatest manager in the club’s history achieved. Forest’s Premier League form shows they are genuine contenders.
Bournemouth are another underdog who have proved they have bite in the Premier League this season. Under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries have exceeded all expectations. They are capable of holding their own in possession, but are at their most dangerous when they have open space to attack at speed.
In Evanilson, Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier, Bournemouth boast a fearsome frontline supported by the dynamic midfield duo of Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie. Any opponent that attempts to press high on the south coast outfit must be wary of the threat that could come at them in the other direction.
Only Liverpool are averaging more shots per league match than Bournemouth this season, highlighting just how potent the Cherries are. If Iraola can balance his squad to balance the charge for European qualification and a FA Cup run, this season could culminate in something special on the south coast.
Brighton also have a good chance of bringing the trophy back to the south coast. While the Seagulls’ form has peaked and dipped at various points over the course of the campaign, Fabian Hürzeler’s side are capable of dismantling even the strongest of opponents on their day. They are on a run of just two defeats in their last 16 games in all competitions.
Like Bournemouth, Brighton’s true potency is in the way they attack at speed. João Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma are their biggest difference makers in the final third, combining pace with the highest degree of technical ability. Danny Welbeck and Yankuba Minteh are also regular contributors to one of English football’s most watchable teams.
Crystal Palace can’t be discounted either. While the Eagles struggled to get going in the early part of the season, Oliver Glasner’s team now have some momentum behind them. Indeed, Palace have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions and have fully unlocked the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton once more.
Then there’s Fulham who have flown under the radar somewhat this season despite sitting a lofty eighth in the Premier League table. Marco Silva’s team might not be as dynamic as the likes of Bournemouth and Brighton, but their effectiveness can’t be doubted. Raúl Jiménez could provide the firepower to make the Cottagers FA Cup winners for the first time in their history.
In modern football, the FA Cup often struggles to find its place. Clubs at the elite level are more concerned with league and continental football. The game has moved on from the era when a day in the sunshine at Wembley was seen as the culmination of an entire season. Teams, players and managers are judged on much more than that.
And yet the field in this season’s FA Cup means the competition surely matters more to many. Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest all have a legitimate shot at history. The league might be where these teams can truly prove their quality, but FA Cup glory would make them legends.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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