Stevenage defied the odds and put on an impressive display to hold Tottenham to a goalless draw in their FA Cup fifth-round clash at the Lamex Stadium.
The League One side started the day 47 places below Spurs in the league ladder, but they more than held their own with some dogged tackling and confident passing in midfield. Carlo Cudicini saved well from Scott Laird’s header in the first half and Joel Byrom blasted just over in the second period while Tottenham had a goal ruled out for offside when Louis Saha’s shot struck the offside Scott Parker on the line in the 55th minute.
Brighton contributed an amazing three own goals to Liverpool’s biggest win since September 2009 as the Reds booked a quarter-final meeting with Stoke thanks to a 6-1 romp at Anfield. Liam Bridcutt twice turned the ball into his own net, the first – just before half-time after Kazenga Lua Lua had levelled Martin Skrtel’s early header – proving crucial. Lewis Dunk also scored an own goal, although Reds boss Kenny Dalglish will be more pleased that man-of-the-match Andy Carroll was also on target before setting up Luis Suarez, who had already missed a penalty, for the sixth. It was a good day all round for Liverpool, so much so that Jamie Carragher could even have a joke with a male streaker, who entered the playing area in stoppage time.
Stoke must next head to Anfield. They made light of Rory Delap’s early red card to end Crawley’s run with a 2-0 win at Broadfield Stadium. Delap’s dismissal on 17 minutes came with the lowest-ranked side left in the competition on top, but Jon Walters’ penalty (42) and Peter Crouch’s header (52) ensured there was no Premier League scalp to hang alongside a Champonship pair. Crawley started brightly and were almost rewarded when David Hunt’s corner bounced off Crouch’s thigh and onto the bar. Then came another moment to buoy the League Two side: Delap punished for a tackle that took the ball as well as Hunt. However, Stoke boss Tony Pulis’ blood pressure dropped a notch when Ryan Shawcross won a spot-kick that Walters tucked into the corner. Crouch ended the game as a contest by noddin in Glenn Whelan’s free-kick after the break.
