FA Cup Recap: Spurs held, Liverpool out and Sky Blues success

Five talking points from the fourth round

There was no shortage of drama on another weekend of high-stakes FA Cup action.

West Bromwich Albion shocked Liverpool at Anfield, Newport County held Tottenham Hotspur to a draw and West Ham United suffered yet another afternoon to forget at Wigan Athletic.

The Coral News Team round up those matches and more from fourth round weekend…

Wembley trip for Newport

Usually in the FA Cup, clubs have to wait until the semi-final to book a trip to Wembley. Following Saturday’s draw with Tottenham, Newport will be heading there in approximately 10 days time.

In truth, Spurs are lucky to still be in the competition. Harry Kane’s late equaliser spared Mauricio Pochettino’s blushes as the North Londoners rescued a 1-1 draw on the uneven South Wales surface.

The Lilywhites will now face an extra game in an already packed schedule. From taking on Manchester United on Tuesday night, Spurs will play five matches in the space of just 13 days. Kane is 8/11 to continue his good form and find the back of the net against the Red Devils. 

Sky Blues on the march

Coventry City supporters have not had a lot to cheer in recent years. But 8,000 of them led the celebrations as the Sky Blues caused a minor upset to dump out MK Dons on Saturday.

Maxime Biamou scored the only goal of the game as the 1987 winners made it through to the fifth round for the first time since 2009. Biamou has form in this competition, too.

The Frenchman was part of the Sutton side that pushed Arsenal all the way in last year’s tournament. He’s now rewriting history once again as Mark Robins’ young guns continue to lift the gloom around the Ricoh Arena.

Liverpool’s FA Cup hoodoo continues

Liverpool have a far from impressive recent record in the FA Cup. The Reds have crashed out at the fourth round stage in each of the last three seasons. They’ve only made it past the fifth round three times since 2001.

Saturday’s defeat against West Brom leaves Jurgen Klopp facing the prospect of another trophyless season at Anfield. It also brought an end to the Reds’ 19-game unbeaten home run.

West Brom, on the other hand, have their best chance of silverware since 2008. Goals from Jay Rodriquez and Joel Matip (OG) sealed their place in the fifth round for the third time in the last four years.

Sorry Hammers crash out

West Ham United don’t enjoy their trips to Wigan Athletic. The Hammers were relegated from the Premier League at the DW Stadium in 2011. And on Saturday they crashed out of the FA Cup to their now League One opponents.

Will Grigg scored twice as the Latics inflicted an embarrassing defeat on their top-flight visitors. Things aren’t about to get any better for the Hammers, either. They’re set to be without 12-first team players for tomorrow’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace.

Competition opening up

Only two sides outside of the traditional top-six have won the FA Cup since 1995. But with Arsenal and Liverpool already out of this season’s competition, could that be about to change?

Leicester City have looked the best of the rest so far and are 16/1 to win the Wembley showpiece. Meanwhile, Southampton can be backed at 25/1, with Brighton & Hove Albion at 40/1 and West Brom at 50/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing