FA Cup Magic Remains Alive After A Special Sunday | OneFootball

When asked about the FA Cup, the mind immediately goes towards big game atmospheres, sold out stadiums, cut-out trophies held aloft in stands, and huge cup-set giant-killings.

And one key tradition is games being broadcast on terrestrial free-to-air channels.

But Sunday’s FA Cup action was a day where all three games where aired on TNT Sports, a streaming service sat behind a pay wall, proving how much of an impact the rich corporations are having, even on British football’s most prestigious artefact.

But as money continues to play a rising part in breaking traditions, the magic of the cup just keeps refusing to shrivel up and die.

The ‘worst’ DAY IN HISTORY?

The FA Cup is a tournament all about the smaller clubs.

While most of the time, the elites end up coming on top, Crystal Palace in 2025, Leicester City in 2021, and Wigan in 2013 are just some of the recent examples of FA Cup wins from smaller sides.

While the gambling companies see a dull day where there is no focus on a ‘big six’ side, most football fans would much rather watch a lesser team knock out a Premier League heavyweight.

And Southampton, who progressed on Sunday, won the tournament themselves in 1976, despite being a second division side at the time, beating Manchester United in the final.

They reached the quarter-finals in the first of Sunday’s games, after a fantastic team performance against top flight Fulham saw them win 1-0, and deservedly so.

Its the first time they’ve reached the quarter-finals of the competition while being outside of the top flight since that famous 1976 cup win.

And Saints fans deserve to dream again – why can’t they go all the way?

ANOTHER SHOCK RESULT

The FA Cup proved once again on Sunday that it can be an excellent distraction from woes in the league.

Port Vale, despite sitting bottom of League One, knocked out Premier League Sunderland, who, like Marco Silva’s Fulham side against Southampton did not lie down to their opposition.

It was a spirited performance from Jon Brady’s side, and match-winner Ben Waine said, after a “tough old season”, their recent improvements give them belief that they could defeat the odds and go all the way in the FA Cup.

Following their win that took them to the quarter-finals, it’s the furthest stage that Port Vale have reached in the FA Cup since 1954, and their fans will now be hoping to see their side at Wembley.

Southampton and Port Vale are the only EFL teams that remain in the FA Cup, and await Monday’s 19:00 draw to see who stands in their way of reaching the semi-finals at the home of football.