Birmingham City and Sutton United stun crowds as Fourth Round talking points emerge
Birmingham impressed but Sutton United steal the show
Sutton United, a non-league team, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history by beating Birmingham City, a Championship side, 2-1 on Sunday.
Sutton took the lead through Craig Eastmond in the first half, and although Birmingham equalised through Jeremie Bela, Will Randall's goal in the 89th minute sent Sutton through to the fifth round.
It was a famous victory for Sutton, who are now the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.
Sutton's success a victory for non-league football
Sutton's victory is a reminder of the magic of the FA Cup, which gives non-league teams the chance to compete with the best teams in the country.
It is also a victory for non-league football as a whole, which has been struggling in recent years due to the financial gulf between the professional and non-professional game.
Sutton's success shows that non-league teams can still compete with the best, and it is hoped that their victory will inspire other non-league clubs to dream big.
Birmingham's defeat a blow to their promotion hopes
Birmingham's defeat is a blow to their hopes of promotion to the Premier League.
The Blues are currently 10th in the Championship, and they need to finish in the top six to qualify for the play-offs.
Their defeat to Sutton will have dented their confidence, and it remains to be seen whether they can recover and mount a promotion challenge.
Sutton's FA Cup run continues
Sutton's FA Cup run continues with a fifth-round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
It is a daunting task for Sutton, but they will be full of confidence after their victory over Birmingham.
If they can pull off another upset, it will be one of the greatest FA Cup stories in history.
Sutton's victory in numbers
- Sutton are the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup.
- Sutton have now won four matches in this season's FA Cup.
- Sutton's victory over Birmingham is their biggest ever FA Cup win.
- Sutton are the first non-league team to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup since Lincoln City in 2017.
Birmingham's defeat in numbers
- Birmingham have now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.
- Birmingham have been knocked out of the FA Cup by a non-league team for the first time since 1959.
- Birmingham's defeat to Sutton is their first defeat at home in the FA Cup since 2011.
Conclusion
Sutton United's victory over Birmingham City is one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history.
It is a victory for non-league football and a reminder of the magic of the FA Cup.
Sutton's FA Cup run continues with a fifth-round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
