A proud day for Division 1 Oldham

The FA cup is the oldest football competition in the world, and is unusual because clubs of all different levels compete against each other, from the top Premiership teams to some non-league 外围队 teams. It is a knockout tournament 淘汰赛, so an unlucky or lucky match can change the whole competition.

Two of the giant-killers 强队 were Oldham and Birmingham, both in the First Division, two leagues below the Premiership.

On Saturday, Oldham stunned Premier League high-fliers 有能耐的队 Everton with a deserved FA Cup third-round 1- 0 win. Everton had some early chances which they squandered 浪费, and Oldham’s Gary McDonald capitalised 获益 with a spectacular 25-yard strike seconds before half-time.

Oldham held Everton at bay 没有给埃佛顿进球的机会 with relative ease after the break, although Everton substitute Yakubu hit the post 碰上了门柱 with only seconds remaining.

Sheridan is proud  I’m so proud of the players. They went out there and played their socks off. We rode our luck of course against quality players.   John Sheridan, Oldham manager

John Sheridan, Oldham’s manager praised his players' hard work, saying that they had "played their socks off" 尽了全力 although he admitted that they had "ridden their luck" 靠运气. His team featured some inexperienced youngsters 年轻人, and he explained that he is trying to build for the future of the team by using these players.

Everton boss David Moyes said he was disappointed with his team’s performance, but that he "gave Oldham a lot of credit" 归功于奥德姆 for the way they defended.

Moyes disappointed  I give Oldham a lot of credit for the way they defended, but I'm disappointed with our performance today.   David Moyes, Everton boss

Huddersfield also took a big team by surprise when they managed to beat Birmingham 2-1. Luke Beckett scored from close range after four minutes, putting the underdogs 出于劣势的哈德斯菲而德队 ahead from the start.

Though Birmingham drew level 踢平 with Garry O’Connor’s goal following a corner 角球, his second attempt on the goal was ruled offside 越位. Beckett seized the initiative again for Huddersfield by charging 快跑 down the wing, to cross the ball to Chris Brandon who sealed the deal 决定了最终的结果 with only 9 minutes remaining.

Everyone played a part  We’ve had some sterling performances out there, everybody’s played their part.   Huddersfield manager Andy Ritchie

Huddersfield boss, Andy Ritchie praised his team's "sterling 优秀的performances", and Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was "baffled 被难倒了" by his team’s inability to show their recent good form 良好的状态. He said he thought that his team had played apprehensively 紧张的.

There could still be more surprises to come in the FA cup, as some non-Premiership teams are still in with a chance. And who knows, Oldham or Huddersfield could even get to the final! It’s unlikely, but they can dream.