Leeds stunned by Crawley in FA Cup, as Chelsea, Man city advance

Gulf Today Report

Leeds were ousted from the FA Cup by a League Two side Crawley after with a 3-0 defeat as Manchester City and advanced to the second next round with facile victories on Sunday.

Crawley made a mockery of the 62-place gap between the teams in English football’s pyramid. Bielsa spoke in the build-up to the game about his admiration for the history and tradition of a 150-year-old competition he described as "English football in its purest form.”

But he can’t get to grips with it. Bielsa is in his third season at Leeds and has lost in the third round all three years.

Among the players featuring for Crawley, which is in sixth place in League Two, was British reality TV star Mark Wright. He joined Crawley last month on a non-contract basis.

While Timo Werner ended his Chelsea goal drought and Bernardo Silva sparkled for Manchester City as the Premier League giants eased into the fourth round.

Crawley's unexpected success encapsulated the FA Cup's unique charm and football's restorative powers at a time when the sport is badly in need of some positive news.

On a fairytale day for Crawley, it was fitting that Nick Tsaroulla should open the scoring with his first career goal in the 51st minute.

Ashley Nadesan's low shot crept under Kiko Casilla's weak attempted save to double Crawley's lead two minutes later.

Jordan Tunnicliffe forced the ball into the roof of the net from close-range in the 70th minute.

Chelsea, eight-time winners of the FA Cup and runners-up last season, showed Leeds how to deal with an upset threat as they thrashed League Two team Morecambe 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Romantics looking for a shock at the Etihad Stadium were left disappointed as Manchester city cruised to a 3-0 win against second tier Birmingham.

Pep Guardiola made four changes from the team that beat Manchester United in the League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Bernardo Silva was one of those who came in and he opened the scoring with a superb half-volley after eight minutes.

Silva struck again with a close-range finish in the 15th minute and Phil Foden got the third in the 33rd minute.