By Tom Ryan

Liverpool v Barnsley (2007/08)

During the 2007/08 season, Barnsley completed two giant-killings. The game against Liverpool being the most impressive, as Barnsley came from behind to win in front of the Kop. Liverpool started the brightest, going ahead through Dirk Kuyt, but failed to double their lead, with Barnsley’s goalkeeper, Luke Steele, pulling off world-class saves to keep the score at 1-0.

Barnsley equalised through Steven Foster and it was their captain Brian Howard, who scored the winner to add a fairytale ending to the tie. After progressing to the next round, Barnsley went on to beat Chelsea before eventually losing in the Semi Finals to West Bromwich Albion.

Embed from Getty Images

Manchester United v Leeds (2009/10)

This game can be seen as one of the best results in Leeds United’s recent history. Not many results are better than beating your arch-rivals during some of the darkest times in the club’s history. Leading up to this game, Leeds were climbing up to the top of the League One table under the guidance of Simon Grayson after dropping down the divisions. Unlike Leeds, Manchester United was at their usual spot near the top of the Premier League with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge.

Leeds took the lead after only 19 minutes through top goal scorer Jermaine Beckford, after he latched onto a deep ball from Jonny Howson. This would end up being the only goal of the game and one that Sir Alex would not want to remember from his reign as Manchester United boss.

Embed from Getty Images

Leicester City v Wycombe Wanderers (2000/01)

Division Two side Wycombe Wanderers pulled off a huge win in their Quarter Final clash away against Premier League side Leicester City. At the time Wycombe were in financial trouble and used Ceefax to call for strikers to come to the club on trial due to injuries. Northern Ireland born, Finland based Roy Essandoh answered the call, earning himself a week-to-week contract as well as a place on the bench for this momentous occasion.

Wycombe went ahead in the tie through Paul McCarthy in the second half only for Muzzy Izzet to equalise for Leicester. Controversy struck 12 minutes from time as Leicester midfielder Stefan Oakes appeared to handle a Wycombe cross. Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez was furious with the decision and after an angry exchange with the officials, the referee sent him to the stands. Deep into injury time, jubilation struck for Wycombe as Roy Essandoh headed home, to put Wycombe into the FA Cup Semi Finals and put his name into Wycombe folklore.

Embed from Getty Images

Hereford v Newcastle United (1971/72)

This game was one of the greatest FA Cup giant-killings in history. Hereford had already earned a replay through a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, which can be seen as an upset in itself as Newcastle were expected to win comfortably. It was Newcastle who went ahead in the tie through a Malcolm Macdonald strike in what looked to be a comfortable lead. This was until Ronnie Radford scored what can be argued as the greatest goal in FA Cup history. Picking the ball up in midfield, Radford passed the ball to his teammate who tapped the ball back for Radford who then unleashed a 30 yard strike straight into the roof of the net to equalise.

The game finished level at 1-1 which meant extra time followed. It was in extra time that Hereford won the game through their substitute Ricky George, dubbed “George the Substitute” by John Motson. The winning goal sent Edgar Street into raptures and caused a pitch invasion from the Hereford fans as they celebrated a historic giant-killing.

Embed from Getty Images

Chelsea v Bradford City (2014/15)

This result put Bradford City into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 18 years. In what was a remarkable game, Bradford came back from two goals down to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea. Chelsea struck first after 21 minutes through defender Gary Cahill before doubling their lead 17 minutes later through Ramires. This put Chelsea firmly in the driving seat coming up to halftime. Four minutes before the end of the half, Jon Stead pulled a goal back for Bradford with an 18 yard finish to give Bradford some hope.

It took half an hour after the restart for Bradford to find an equaliser and it came from Chelsea youth product Filipe Morais. After Chelsea had wasted multiple opportunities to take the lead, Bradford capitalised on the poor finishing to take the lead themselves through Andy Halliday with eight minutes of normal time to go. The game was settled in the fourth minute of injury time as Mark Yeates controlled a Jon Stead back-heel to score Bradford’s fourth goal of the game and put the result beyond doubt.

Embed from Getty Images