The Most Shocking Upsets in FA Cup History
The FA Cup stands as the pinnacle of cup competitions in football (and arguably in any sport), largely due to its history of unexpected outcomes.
Across its extensive and storied past, the FA Cup has been the backdrop for numerous unforgettable upsets.
In this piece, we explore the most significant of these surprises, setting the criteria that they must involve a top-tier team being eliminated by a club from at least two divisions lower – excluding finals, which have their own distinct upsets.
Newport 2-1 Leicester (2018/19 third round)
Just two seasons prior to clinching their first FA Cup, Leicester faced one of the most humiliating defeats in their history, losing away to Newport County, a team from the fourth tier.
The League Two squad took the lead twice against their avant-garde opponents, who fielded a strong yet rotated line-up, with Padraig Amond securing the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.
Stevenage 3-1 Newcastle (2010/11 third round)
League Two’s Stevenage executed a memorable upset over Premier League side Newcastle United with remarkable ease.
The Hertfordshire team led 2-0 as stoppage time approached; Joey Barton managed to pull one back for the Magpies, who had Cheick Tiote sent off in the 71st minute, but – fittingly – Peter Winn was there to secure the victory moments later.
Oldham 3-2 Liverpool (2012/13 fourth round)
Oldham Athletic triumphed in a thrilling 3-2 showdown against Liverpool, with Matt Smith scoring twice in a remarkable game at Boundary Park.
The League One Latics resisted the challenge from a Reds team managed by Brendan Rodgers, featuring stars such as Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and Raheem Sterling from the start – with Steven Gerrard coming on as a substitute.
Shrewsbury 2-1 Everton (2002/03 third round)
Shrewsbury Town, positioned 80 places below Everton in the football hierarchy, welcomed the Premier League giants to Gay Meadow – and emerged victorious with a deserving 2-1 win, thanks to captain Nigel Jemson who scored both goals, the first being a stunning free-kick.
To add insult to injury for the Toffees, Shrewsbury were managed by none other than Goodison Park legend Kevin Ratcliffe!
Manchester United 0-1 Leeds (2009/10 third round)
In earlier years, Leeds pulling off a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford would have been seen as a notable feat rather than an upset; however, in 2010, the Whites found themselves two divisions lower than their bitter rivals from across the Pennines.
Yet, during a season that saw them earn promotion back to the second tier, they left Manchester United humiliated, with Jermaine Beckford’s goal marking Alex Ferguson’s first FA Cup defeat to lower-league opposition.
Birmingham 1-2 Altrincham (1985/86 third round)
In 1986, it was a clash of First Division against the fifth tier as Birmingham City hosted Altrincham – and the visitors emerged victorious with a memorable giant-killing.
Birmingham, featuring 22-year-old David Seaman in goal, fell to goals from Kevin Ellis and an own goal by Robert Hopkins, who had previously equalized for the hosts.
“I hope this result shakes things up and I can get some money from the board,” Blues manager Ron Saunders reflected post-match. Ironically, he was sacked soon after.
Norwich 0-1 Luton (2012/13 fourth round)
Before their remarkable resurgence, Luton Town found themselves at their lowest point, contesting matches in the fifth tier.
However, the National League side was untroubled by the challenge of facing Premier League competition away from home, with Scott Rendell’s 80th-minute effort making the Hatters the first non-League team to oust a top-flight side from the FA Cup in 24 years.
Burnley 0-1 Lincoln (2016/17 fifth round)
The 2016/17 season was a historic one for Lincoln City, as they achieved promotion back to the Football League while also reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals – becoming the first non-League team to do so since 1914.
After previously defeating Championship teams Ipswich and Brighton, Lincoln prepared for an illustrious quarter-final clash with Arsenal, courtesy of Sean Raggett’s 89th-minute header that stunned Premier League Burnley at Turf Moor.
Bournemouth 2-0 Manchester United (1983/84 third round)
Twenty-six years prior to their shocking defeat against Leeds, Manchester United faced an unexpected setback on the south coast.
Under Ron Atkinson, the Red Devils – featuring international stars like Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside – came up against Third Division Bournemouth while they were the reigning FA Cup champions and sitting second in the top flight. However, a young Harry Redknapp orchestrated one of football’s legendary giant-killings as Milton Graham and Ian Thompson scored within three minutes of each other in the second half.
Leicester 1-2 Wycombe (2000/01 quarter-finals)
In a desperate search for a fit striker who was not cup-tied, Wycombe Wanderers relied on Ceefax (social media did not exist yet!).
They received a response from Roy Essandoh’s agent, who stepped in off the bench to head in the winner for the Chairboys, who were then 16th in the third tier, against Leicester City, who were sixth in the Premier League.
The drama intensified when Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez was sent off, having to watch the conclusion of the match on a television in the dressing room as his team secured their remarkable upset.
Chelsea 2-4 Bradford (2014/15 fourth round)
While Jose Mourinho lifted his third Premier League trophy with Chelsea in 2015, their aspirations for a double were thwarted by League One’s Bradford City.
Bradford, previously finalists in the League Cup as a League Two club in 2013, executed a remarkable turnaround, coming back from a 2-0 deficit at Stamford Bridge against a team that included stars like Petr Cech and Didier Drogba.
Walsall 2-0 Arsenal (1932/33 third round)
At the beginning of the 1930s, Arsenal was arguably the most formidable club in the country, clinching two First Division titles in three years under the brilliant management of Herbert Chapman. However, they found themselves unable to overcome Third Division North side Walsall during the 1932/33 FA Cup.
The Gunners later secured the English championship that season, adding even more significance to this upset.
Sutton 2-1 Coventry (1988/89 third round)
Conference side Sutton United entered this match as 5,000/1 underdogs, whereas First Division Coventry had lifted the FA Cup just 18 months before.
However, the part-time club defied the odds on a sand-ridden pitch at Gander Green Lane, with Matthew Hanlan’s volley before the hour making history with this iconic result.
Yeovil 2-1 Sunderland (1948/49 fourth round)
Non-League Yeovil Town seemed outmatched against top-tier Sunderland, who featured stars like British-record signing Len Shackleton. Nonetheless, the Somerset underdogs managed to pull off an astonishing upset, advancing to the fifth round.
Yeovil’s captain Alec Stock netted the first goal of the match, with Jackie Robinson equalizing in the second half, pushing the match into extra time.
However, the First Division favorites couldn’t turn the tide, as Eric Bryant emerged as the hero for the Glovers.
Hereford 2-1 Newcastle AET (1971/72 third round replay)
Ronnie Radford’s sensational strike for Hereford United against Newcastle generated some of the most iconic moments in FA Cup lore, as fans rushed the pitch in celebration – though, notably, his goal wasn’t the winner.
That honor went to substitute Ricky George, who scored shortly before half-time in extra time, igniting similar chaos in the stadium.
This replay, following a 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park in the initial tie, had faced delays due to a waterlogged pitch at Hereford’s Edgar Street, finally taking place on the same day as the next round’s matches.
Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal (1991/92 third round)
An astonishing 81 league positions separated Wrexham, then 18th in the Fourth Division, from reigning champions Arsenal, who were placed seventh in the First Division during their confrontation at the Racecourse Ground.
This match seemed a definitive victory for George Graham’s side, and things appeared to be on track as Alan Smith scored for Arsenal just before half-time.
Yet, the hosts had other plans, as quickfire goals from captain Mickey Thomas in the 82nd minute and Steve Watkin two minutes later, completely transformed the match, resulting in a pitch invasion as the magic of the Cup reigned supreme.
