Shock defeats for Chelsea and Man City in FA Cup

Monday, 26 January 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Often derided and disrespected during the Premier League era, the FA Cup added another incredible chapter to its proud heritage on Saturday as Chelsea and Manchester City were humbled by supposed inferiors.

Middlesbrough’s Patrick Bamford (R) scores past Manchester City’s Fernando Reges during their English FA Cup 4th round soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, 24 January - Reuters A day after Manchester United suffered a fright in a 0-0 fourth-round draw at fourth tier Cambridge United, Premier League leaders Chelsea surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at home to third tier Bradford City. If that was not a seismic enough shock, a couple of hundred miles north, Premier League champions City were torn apart by second tier promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough, crashing 2-0 at a stunned Etihad.

Bradford City’s Filipe Morais (L) celebrates with team mate Andy Halliday after scoring against Chelsea during their FA Cup fourth round soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London 24 January - Reuters Chelsea were unbeaten in all competitions at home this season. They boast a 100% record in the league at Stamford Bridge and appeared on course for a routine win after 38 minutes with goals from Gary Cahill and Ramires. Bradford, 49 places lower than Chelsea and with a squad made up of journeymen and bargain signings, had other ideas. They gained a foothold when Jon Stead fired a beauty past Petr Cech before halftime. Former Chelsea player Filipe Morais side-footed an equaliser after the break before an improbable script was completed by Andy Halliday thumping the ball past Cech with 10 minutes left and Mark Yeates side-footing a fourth in stoppage time to send the visiting fans delirious.