David Harding
TheDevourerReading from relegation to FA Cup Champions?
February 13th 2010 17:53
The game started well for Reading Mali magician Jimmy Kebe scoring after just 9 seconds of the game, Kebe robbed Dutch right-back Gianni Zuiverloon of possession in his own half and smashed past Scott Carson from the edge of the box. But a mistake by the Reading keeper Australian born Adam Federici gifted Robert Koren a goal in the 18th minute of the game. Wales striker Simon Church doubled Royals’ lead as he rounded Carson in the 73rd minute. Church's goal appeared to have sealed an unlikely victory for the Royals, but West Bromwich Albion's left-back Joe Mattock had other ideas late in the game and he fired off a shot beating Federici equalising the game and sending this one into a replay. The Royals should they win the replay have a chance albeit an unlikely chance that no one yet believes can happen, but should they win the FA Cup, and still remain in the drop zone of the Championship they can manage to do a feat that is just something no one would ever expect. A relegated team winning the FA Cup it's still a long way off there are still a fair few Premier League clubs left in the FA Cup.
Portsmouth today managed to get past Southhampton 4-nil, Stoke and Manchester City are due to do battle and then there is still the rest of the games with Notts County traveling to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. Aston Villa are going to do battle with Crystal Palace, and Tottenham Hotspur will battle Bolton all these games are on Sunday, for those living in Australia they are Monday morning in the early hours.
Upon searching through there has been teams that have won the FA Cup and then been relegated either the season after, or just after but there has yet to be a team to win the Cup and be relegated, however there has been one team that has won the FA Cup and won promotion in the same season. This season could see it happen, should Reading be able to survive through to the FA Cup final and still be in the drop zone.
Reading are not the only team still in the FA Cup that are facing the relegation zone, Bolton Wonderers who are in action Sunday, and Portsmouth both are facing relegation, some have already put a line through Portsmouth who sit this weekend on 16 points, 8 points behind the safely of Hull City who are only one point in front of Burnley and 2 points in front of Bolton.
It would make for a funny story to tell people, 2010 the season that 3 teams facing relegation from 2 different leagues were able to win the FA Cup. Wouldn't that be something? It makes you wonder how a team could survive the FA Cup but presently are struggling in their own league. Reading are such a team beating Liverpool and today drawing with West Bromwich Albion. The replay may make this a moot put for Reading, if they were to lose,but Portsmouth and Bolton, are still alive, Bolton at least until Sunday when they face fellow Premier League side Tottenham who are 6th in the premier league with Bolton sitting 22nd.
It is nice to dream, an FA Cup trophy to cap off a lousy season in getting relegated. Perhaps a team would prefer winning promotion and the cup, but at this late stage of the season Reading may find themselves lucky to win the FA Cup and/or survive, let alone doing both. Portsmouth can live and dream as well, the cash strapped club are close to dropping and close to closing the doors there and with an FA Cup win it could assist the club a lot.
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