25 Jan 2015

Big FA Cup upsets: Chelsea and Man City out

8:59 am on 25 January 2015

Premier League title challengers Chelsea and Manchester City have both sensationally crashed out of the FA Cup, beaten by lower-league opponents at home in the fourth round.

A weakened Chelsea team threw away a 2-0 lead to be embarrassed by third division side Bradford City in London, in one of the biggest upsets in the competition's recent history - while Premier League champions Manchester City were also knocked out, losing 2-0 at home to Championship outfit Middlesbrough.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who made nine changes to the team that had drawn 1-1 with Liverpool in Wednesday's League Cup semi-final first leg, says they're embarrassed and ashamed.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"I repeat a word I used before this match - it's a disgrace for a big team to lose to a small team from a lower league," says Mourinho. "We must feel ashamed. Me and the players must feel ashamed."

And City weren't the only top team to lose to a second-division club - Swansea were stunned 3-1 at Blackburn.

With Southampton beaten 3-2 at home by Crystal Palace, it means that none of the Premier League's top three teams will feature in Monday's fifth-round draw, blowing the competition wide open.

In the late game, Liverpool could only play out a scoreless draw at home to another second division club, Bolton Wanderers.

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling comes off second-best to Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling comes off second-best to Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan Photo: Photosport

Manchester United, who are fourth in the Premier League, face a replay against fourth-division Cambridge United after a 0-0 away draw against the League Two club on Saturday.

Sunderland could only draw 0-0 at home to the Championship's Fulham, while Premier League cellar dwellers Leicester City won 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur to reach the last 16.

Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City tangles with Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur

Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City tangles with Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur Photo: Photosport

West Bromwich Albion won 2-1 at second division Birmingham, Cardiff lost their Championship clash 2-1 to visitors Reading, League One side Chesterfield lost 2-0 at Derby County, and Preston North End drew 1-1 in their League Two clash against Sheffield.