The FA Cup Thread 2024

[Trollheart]

The draw for the quarter-finals then is as follows:

Fulham will play Crystal Palace
Preston North End will play Aston Villa
Bournemouth will play Manchester City
Brighton will play either Ipswich or Nottingham Forest, who play each other tomorrow.

[Trollheart]

FA Cup Quarter Finals

Saturday March 29 2025

We're down to the last eight teams, and perhaps predictably, but somewhat disappointingly and removing the chance of FA Cup magic, all but one of the remaining sides are Premier League teams. All four playing today are, with the last one outside the Premiership kicking off against us tomorrow, flying the lone flag for the Championship.



Teams : Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest
Plays in: Premier League v Premier League
Match played at: The Amex

Forest found themselves without their talismanic striker, Chris Wood out with an injury, both teams flying high in the Premiership, Forest at third of course but Brighton not too far away at 7th, a mere seven points separating them. Forest with the first real attempt on goal after 15 minutes but the Brighton keeper equal to it, their own first effort coming ten minutes later but wide of the far post. Another shot for the Seagulls just on the half-hour but this time right at the keeper, and so scoreless it remained at the break. Brighton started the second half, well, brightly, but still no goals. Just before the hour the home side had a great chance but snuffed out by the Forest defence.

BIG penalty shout for Forest, and it was initially awarded by the ref, who was then told to head to the monitor where he changed his mind, which was the right thing to do. The game could have hung on a poor decision. Interesting to see, for the first time ever (for me anyway) the ref talking to the crowd through his mike rather than just making the gestures, and explaining his decision. The game definitely more interesting and played with more passion and pace in the second half, but still nobody looking likely to score as we headed for full time. Extra time and penalties? In the first minute of added time Forest came close to snatching it, but after eight further minutes no goals scored and so into another thirty minutes we went.

As per usual, nothing really happened in the extra time, and Gary makes a good point when he said that the whole idea of another two halves of fifteen minutes is a bit pointless; almost always the end result is penalties, so why not just go directly to the spot kicks? At any rate, that's where we inevitably ended up, so now a place in the semi-finals hung on who could literally step up to the spot and do his club proud, who would break and miss, or which keeper would make himself a hero, or indeed the fall guy? First up were Brighton, who scored, then Forest evened it up, one each. Second Brighton penalty went in, as did that from Forest, all square as Brighton stepped up for their third. This was missed, advantage now with Forest if they could score, but blasted it over the bar! 2-2 it remained, one missed each, though at least Brighton's was saved whereas that by Forest was so poor the keeper didn't even have to work to keep it out. Fourth penalty for Brighton saved also, turning the tie back in Forest's favour, who scored, piling so much pressure on the next Brighton player. When the ball hit the back of the net you could hear the explosion of relief around the Amex. Forest though had only to score and they would be through, and they did, sending Nuno Espirito Santo's team to Wembley.

Scorers: N/A
Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 - 0 Nottingham Forest (Forest win 4-3 on penalties)





Teams : Fulham v Crystal Palace
Plays in: Premier League v Premier League
Match played at: Craven Cottage

Not that much of a gap between these two either, Fulham at 8th and Palace at 12th, and in fact less of a difference in points, a mere six, but the lower-placed team made the higher look like they were the weaker of the two . Fulham in fact had the first real chance but wasted it, wide of the post, while Palace took their opportunity when it came, Ese bending a lovely shot like Beckham into the top of the net just after half an hour to put Palace ahead in the twin FA Cup quarter final and London derby. Six minutes later it was two, and Fulham seemed to have no answer, though they came close to pulling one back early in the second half, unable to squeeze it past the post. Nketiah then made it certain with Palace's third fifteen minutes from time.

Scorers: Ese, Sarr, Nketiah (PAL)
Result: Fulham 0 - 3 Crystal Palace

Semi-finalists (2 of 4): Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace

[Trollheart]

Teams: Preston North End v Aston Villa
Plays in: Championship v Premier League
Matched played at: Deepdale

Our chance to get into the semis, and facing the last Championship side the odds would be heavily in our favour, but this is the FA Cup and Preston are at home, so who knows? Fucking balloons everywhere; that surely was going to distract players and even block a goal? I would have expected when the ball went dead that a few moments might have been allowed to pop the damn things, but no. Villa got a free in the tenth minute but the Preston keeper able to catch it, the Premier League team certainly providing all the pressure in the early part of the game, Preston with barely a shot at the Villa goal, their first real attempt coming as the half-hour expired. Good save by Martinez and then a bit of a mix-up in the home defence stopped the ball ending up in the Villa net. Despite having the lion's share of the possession though, Aston Villa unable to do anything with it, and scoreless at half-time.

Just before the hour we had the breakthrough as Rashford struck to take his first ever Villa goal and put his team in the ascendancy and on the way to Wembley. Mere moments later Ramsay could have made it certain, but blocked. Moments after that, Villa got a penalty, allowing the on-loan striker to double his tally and tighten his team's grip on a semi-final place. That grip became rigid when Rogers scored Villa's third on 70 minutes, the tie safe now.

Scorers: Rashford (2) of which 1 (p), Rogers (AST)
Result: Preston North End 0 - 3 Aston Villa




Teams: Bournemouth v Manchester City
Plays in: Premier League v  Premier League
Matched played at: The Vitality Stadium

As probably expected, Manchester City had the bulk of the possession, and the early chance to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty, Haaland proved unable to convert though, Bournemouth's keeper diving to keep him out. Haaland was at it again and had a second chance to open the scoring but shot high over the bar. Then against the run of play Bournemouth scored when the ball was given away, the first half just twenty minutes old. City have made a habit of losing leads, but this time they had to come back from a losing position, Foden coming close, but they had to wait for the restart before they were able to level, that man again, with his fourth clear effort of the game, this time making the Bournemouth net bulge after they had given the ball away. Again.

City then completed the turnaround just afte the hour when Marmoush scored, and to be honest, it could have been three or four, but two will do it, and Manchester City make up the fourth team who will walk out onto the pitch at Wembley.

Scorers: Evanielsan (BOU); Haaland, Marmoush (MNC)
Result: Bournemouth 1 - 2 Manchester City

Semi-finalists (4 of 4): Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Manchester City

And here's how they'll run out:

Nottingham Forest v Manchester City

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

[Trollheart]

FA Cup Semi-finals
Saturday April 26 2025

Teams: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Plays in: Premier League v Premier League
Matched played at: Wembley Stadium, London

Since we're out of the Champions League, the only real chance for silverware this season is for us to win the FA Cup, a feat we have not achieved since before I was born. Yeah, that long! No Rashford due to an unspecified injury, so it was up to Watkins to lead the line, but things did not start well, with Palace on the attack from the off, the breakthrough goal seeming to come after repeated assaults on the Villa goal, just on the half hour as Mateta broke through the defence to score. However there had been a foul, according to the ref, in the buildup and the goal was marked off. A lucky escape for us, as on reflection it looked soft to say the least, and Crystal Palace should have been one up with 15 minutes of the half to go. This was the case though, no more than a minute or two later, the ball given away carelessly in our box and what has to be admitted was a screamer from Eze almost breaking the Villa net to put the London team ahead, and it has to be said, deservedly so. We had been poor for the start.

Another Palace attack with five minutes to go, but this one kept out. Villa began to play near the end of the half, coming close through Konsa but blocked on the line but it was Palace who finished the stronger, Mitchel somehow missing a sitter which would have put them two ahead at the break. McGinn could have pulled one back as the second half opened but saved by Henderson and then from the corner just wide by Digne. Palace went on the attack again and got a penalty, which would surely wrap up the game and send them through to the final. Surprisingly, reliable Mateta shot wide, Villa able to breathe again. Our relief was very short-lived through, as Sarr scored just before the hour mark to increase their lead and leave us struggling. We hadn't really caused them any problems, and it looked very much like Crystal Palace were heading back to Wembley. And when they scored their third in extra time it was all over for us. No trophy this season, but Palace well worth their win.

Scorer(s): Eze, Sarr (2) (PAL)
Result: Crystal Palace 3 - Aston Villa 0

[Trollheart]

Sunday April 27 2025



Teams: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
Plays in: Premier League v Premier League
Matched played at: Wembley Stadium, London

Relinquishing third place to Newcastle, this was Nottingham Forest's chance to win a trophy, and in fact win the FA Cup for the first time ever. If they won here, the two finalists would both be vying to win the cup for the very first time. Meat and drink for City though, and they showed it as they took the lead with only two minutes gone, could have been two after 15 minutes but high over the bar, Forest finding it hard to even get near the ball. It took them over half an hour to make an attack, but offside, Wood missed anyway. Into the second half then with Manchester City still holding a 1-0 lead. Elanga had a great chance to level in the first minute of the second half but shot wide, City's lead looking a little more shaky. They took care of that in the 51st minute with their second, from a corner, Forest looking very much outclassed now.

A rare Forest break saw them come close just after the hour, but Gibbs-White only rattled the crossbar, then he had a great chance to halve the deficit as the ball was given away in City's penalty area, but shot across the face, a real let-off for the team in blue. Off the post again for Forest, and it didn't look like it was going to be their day. Nine minutes to go and Elanga scooped it over the bar, underlining how few chances the Nottinghamshire team had been allowed, and in the end an easy victory for Man City.

Scorer(s): Lewis, Gvardiol (MNC)
Result: Nottingham Forest 0 - 2 Manchester City

So we have our finalists

Final: Crystal Palace v Manchester City

[jimmy jazz]

Grats Palace. Even I felt a bit emotional seeing the reaction of their fans. That is what football is about. That's what makes it special. Not nation states cooking the books, cheating and getting 130 charges. Destroying the game.

Palace, great club great fans.

[Trollheart]

Have to admit, I hate Palace. Still, I guess I'd rather they won it than City just add another trophy. Doesn't this mean they get nothing this season? Out of CL, out of League Cup and now lost the FA Cup. Meltdown indeed.

Full match report later to wrap up the thread.

[jimmy jazz]

Why do you hate Palace? 

You have a strange list of clubs you hate. You hate more clubs than I do.

[Trollheart]

Ok here we go.

I hate Palace because of that fucking song they sing. I hate it when someone scores at Selhurst Park and the announcer gets the crowd to chant his surname. Just really pisses me off. I'm not a big fan of Hodgson either, so sue me.

I hate Forest because Karen's scumbag ex-boyfriend was a massive fan of them, so I will always have a place of hate in my heart for them. I also hate the fact that though they were involved in the Hillsboro they never mark it. I feel that's really disrespectful.

I hate Arsenal because two of my bosses supported them, and I hated them both.

And obviously, I hate Man United. No explanation needed I'm sure.

I don't yet hate Man City, but I've certainly gone off them. They're sort of sketched in on the list, but not typed, as it were.

[jimmy jazz]

I only hate three clubs. MC, Chelsea and Celtic. There is surprisingly not a lot of hate in my heart. I can respect and admire lots of clubs.

People have asked me if I hate Blues or West Brom and I say no because it isn't relevant any more.

Trolls when the verdict on 115 comes out will that increase your dislike of them if (when  ) they're found guilty?

[Trollheart]

I don't know. I suppose I could honestly say I don't HATE any club (other than Man U, and am I revelling in schaudenfrade now!) but as I laid out my reasons, they're there. I guess we'll see. It's odd sometimes the little things that set me off like that song. You should see me when certain ads are on! My telly leads a charmed life, considering the things I throw at it! And if someone uses bad English, oh my god... 

[Marie Monday]

a german child dies every time you spell schadenfreude like that
my hate list:
1. feyenoord (duh)
2. chelsea
3. man utd
4. real madrid
5. tottenham
6. man city (are trash but Viv Miedema plays there now)

[jimmy jazz]

@Marie Monday your spicy football posts are quite funny.

Post more.

Who are your top 5 cunts in football? Individuals I mean.

[Trollheart]

a german child dies every time you spell schadenfreude like that
my hate list:
1. feyenoord (duh)
2. chelsea
3. man utd
4. real madrid
5. tottenham
6. man city (are trash but Viv Miedema plays there now)

What can I tell you? There was no automatic correction: it's not my fault! Bloody Germans! Why can't they spell things simply? Look at us: Irish for car is gluastein, Irish for boy is buachaill, Irish for leader is taoiseach...

@Marie Monday your spicy football posts are quite funny.

Post more.

Who are your top 5 cunts in football? Individuals I mean.

Love the way you realised how that could sound! 

[Trollheart]

Sunday May 18 2025

FA Cup Final


Teams: Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Plays in: Premier League v Premier League
Matched played at: Wembley Stadium, London

What you might conceivably term a case of David v Goliath: Manchester City have won the trophy seven times, the most recent being 2022/23, whereas Crystal Palace had won it precisely no times, in fact they had never won any trophy in their history. A clash of league sides, with Palace holding on to the top half of the bottom section of the table and City attempting to reclaim third place, having been ten-time title winners, Palace's best position to date having been 10th, their current standing 12th.

But if there's one thing you can always say about the FA Cup it's that form can count for very little. It's a time for fairytale endings and miracles, when teams who would have no chance against the titans of the game can go head-to-head and knock out ones who are concentrating on winning the title or dreaming of Europe. Could Palace provide another famous upset and knock out the veterans, leaving Guardiola's team with a lot of shine and spit and polish but nothing to show at the end of the season?

Haaland on the ball six minutes in and could have opened the scoring, but the Palace keeper able to meet it, City keeping up the pressure as Palace struggled to hang on, then a break on sixteen minutes had Eze in for the first goal, very much against the run of play. The bit between their teeth now the London team went for another, this just kept out by the City keeper, and we weren't even halfway through the first period. The FA Cup delivers, as always. A one-goal lead is slim though, especially against Manchester City, this proven just after the half-hour when City got a penalty. It was stopped though - twice - and you started to wonder if this might be Palace's day.

Their keeper was certainly the busier of the two, having to keep two more shots out before the break, but Palace went into halftime in the lead. In the second half it was all about equalising for City, the Palace goal under siege. But again, just after the hour the London team struck again, to double their lead and surely give them one hand on the trophy. Ah, but was it offside? Yes, in the end it was, so just the one goal still in it. Plenty of time for City to get one of their own and level the tie, but though they tried hard they just could not break through the Palace defence, even with a staggering ten minutes of extra time at the end. For the first time ever, Wembley rang to the ecstatic cheers of thousands of Crystal Palace fans as they won their first ever major trophy. History made.

Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Eze (PAL)

Winners of the 2024/25 FA Cup