For some, there’s nothing better than cup magic. From Watson to Wigan, we see it every year.
It’s a given that in a competition like this, there will be upsets. It’s certain that there will be day and night, and it’s certain that a Premier League team will be thrown out of the FA Cup by a weaker, lower league underdog.
Leeds United beating rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford comes to mind for most West Yorkshire folk on that cold day in January 2010.
But it’s not just the red half of Manchester who fall short in the cup. Neighbours City are also victim to FA Cup drama. A 90th-minute header from 5’10” Ben Watson gifted Wigan their first major trophy in 81 years. Now tell them that the FA Cup is a second-rate competition.
It’s the FA Cup which gives players their moments of glory. Be that lifting the trophy at Wembley, or knocking four past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge like Bradford managed to do this January.
But compared to the Premier League, is it really that good?
If you take a look at the past 5 winners of the FA Cup aside from Wigan, there is a pattern. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Chelsea again. All top four Premier League clubs.
Add Manchester United into this list who have won the Cup a record 11 times and you can see why people would rather watch the Premier League week in, week out than have to wait for a weekend which comes from time to time where just as much drama occurs.
May 13th 2012. Agüero. Manchester City’s first top flight trophy since 1968 and they only just scraped this one.
So who watches it then? The Premier League is broadcast in 212 different countries, more than double the amount than the FA Cup. An indication that it plays second fiddle to the big boys.
So why watch the FA Cup if you can see the majority of the “better” matches in the Premier League? The variety, the upsets, the real drama. You just can’t beat Cup magic.
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