Coral’s FA Cup Team of the Fourth Round: giant killers galore

After an incredibly exciting fourth round of the FA Cup, where Premier League giants such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Southampton were all knocked out, Coral writers produce a starting XI of players that starred.

Formation: 3-4-3

Adam Bogdan – Goalkeeper (Bolton Wanderers)
Hungarian Bogdan was the stand-out stopper of the round, keeping out a barrage of shots from Liverpool’s attack at Anfield, including an absolute stunner from Fabio Borini, to keep a clean sheet and forcing a replay.

Daniel Ayala – Centre back (Middlesbrough)
Any team that comes back from the Etihad without conceding, keeping out the likes of world class striker Sergio Aguero, knows it is a job well done, and Championship side Boro (40/1 competition chances) did just that. Former Liverpool defender Ayala was a rock at the back all game to ensure his side won 2-0.

Winston Reid – Centre back (West Ham United)
In-demand defender Reid did well to stop giant forward Matt Smith, who was a nuisance throughout the match, from scoring for Bristol City.

Michael Nelson – Centre back (Cambridge United)
Another rock at the back, Nelson’s strength and dominance in the air was too much for Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao and co to handle. The defender’s League Two team now face a lucrative replay at Old Trafford.

Will Hughes – Centre midfield (Derby County)
The Rams were drawn a potentially tricky county clash against fellow Derbyshire outfit Chesterfield, but wonderkid Hughes sealed the win late on after Darren Bent’s opener to claim a comfortable 2-0 victory in the end.

Tomas Rosicky – Centre midfield (Arsenal)
Despite his side’s team claiming a narrow 3-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, Czech veteran Rosicky was the star of the show, getting the crucial third goal for the Gunners and setting up Mesut Ozil for his strike. Arsenal are now 5/2 favourites to defend the FA Cup.

Lee Tomlin – Right wing (Middlesbrough)
Attacker Tomlin couldn’t find the net for battling Boro, but was involved in much of the visitors’ attack. He tore apart 9/2 Premier League chances Man City’s defence, and could have snatched a couple goals himself.

Andy Halliday – Left wing (Bradford City)
Scotsman Halliday got the all important third goal for the Bantams, as they came back from two goals down at Stamford Bridge, and it was a fantastic strike.

Victor Anichebe – Striker (West Bromwich Albion)
The ex-Everton forward has managed just one Premier League goal all season, but came up with two in a West Midlands derby to down Birmingham City 2-1.

Marouane Chamakh – Striker (Crystal Palace)
Since Alan Pardew’s return to Palace, he has carved out three comeback victories, and this was arguably the best of them all, beating high-flying Southampton 3-2. Chamakh, meanwhile, bagged a brace on the day to help the Eagles reach the fifth round.

Jon Stead – Striker (Bradford City)
Former Premier League player Stead, now 31, was another crucial part of Bradford’s attack, getting the goal that set the Bantams on their way to a famous 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.