As the FA Cup rounds continue to come and go, the majority of the smaller teams have dropped off now. Some big-name sides such as Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham are perhaps the surprise eliminations, but there is one League Two side still clinging on in the competition that can boast going further than these three sides.
Giant Killers? A Look at Coventry City
The Run So Far
Coventry’s FA Cup run started with predictable wins in rounds one and two. First they dispatched of non-league side Maidenhead United in a 2-0 victory at the Ricoh Arena, before facing non-league opposition again in another home tie against Boreham Wood, winning 3-0.
The introduction of the Premier League teams at the third round rewarded the Sky Blues with another home tie, this time against struggling top-flight side Stoke City. Despite the Potters’ woes this season, it was expected to be an easy win for the visitors. That wasn’t the way it panned out though, as Jack Grimmer’s sensational strike handed Coventry a deserved 2-1 victory.
Their next cup adventure saw them make the short trip to Stadium MK, where they took on another struggling side in Dan Micciche’s MK Dons. Backed by a crowd that outnumbered the home supporters, the Sky Blues sent their fans into delirium as Maxime Biamou’s goal gave them a narrow 1-0 victory.
Differing Forms
While their cup run has certainly pleased the fans, Coventry are currently ninth in their division, having had a mixed run of results so far in 2018, so to be making the fifth round of the cup is a great achievement.
Playing another Premier League team in the fifth round, and another of the teams towards the bottom of top flight in Brighton. This tie will be trickier however as although Brighton have had mixed results lately, they are no slouch.
Coventry’s fifth round opponents are another Premier League side struggling for consistency. Chris Hughton’s Brighton are currently 14th in the top-flight but have achieved just six wins so far this season.
The Seagulls have also already knocked out fellow Premier League opposition in Crystal Palace. It certainly looks to be a tough match for Coventry on paper, however the magic of the FA Cup means that upsets can and do happen. Coventry City have progressed this far without the need for a replay. They will hope that once again they do not need a replay and will be looking to score another upset.
Should Coventry negotiate Brighton, they have the chance of another big club in the quarter-finals. Leicester and Chelsea have already made it into the next round. With Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United all playing at the same time as Coventry, things could get very exciting for the League Two club.
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