The fifth round of the FA Cup certainly fulfilled the promise left by the fourth. Two Premier League sides were dumped out by lower league opposition, a twenty-minute hat-trick was scored, a club chairman was forced to apologise to travelling fans while the return of the ‘Yak’ was also a welcome sight for all football fans.
The Football Express team of the week will line up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Aston Villa)
In between the sticks is the familiar figure of Shay Given. At 38 years of age Given is in the twilight years of his career and has been forced to settle for a place on the Villa bench for much of this season with Brad Guzan firmly in control of the number one jersey. However he proved he still has the class of old and the reactions to match with an acrobatic save to deny Leicester’s Matty James gaining his team the lead. Despite conceding at the depth to Leicester City’s club-record signing Andrej Kramarić to make it 2-1, Given was rightly awarded the BBC Man of the Match, with an assured performance for the entirety of the tie.
Right-back: Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion)
With Gareth McAuley and Joleon Lescott occupying the two centre-back positions in the heart of Tony Pulis’ defence, Craig Dawson was deployed on the right hand side in an unnatural fullback position. Not to be deterred Dawson contributed well to the Baggies’ attack and assisted Ideye for the first of his brace with a well weighted low cross, while also remaining resilient in defence as his team recorded a clean sheet.
Centre-back: Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers)
With Peter Crouch poking an inform Stoke side ahead after just ten minutes it seemed Mark Hughes would oversee a dream return to Ewood Park. But Blackburn showed great fight to regain control of the tie, with Duffy at the heart of the defence that limited Stoke to few attacks after Geoff Cameron saw red. Yet another good performance from the Irishman, with the former Everton man also excelling in the previous cup-triumph against Swansea.
Centre-back: Tom Clarke (Preston North End)
Despite conceding three goals, one of which a dubious penalty, Preston should feel they showed a good account of themselves on Monday night against Louis van Gaal’s multi-million pound team. Tom Clarke was one of their standout performers in defence with a number of vital blocks, as well winning a number of duels in the air.
Left-back: Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
Enduring yet another season hampered by injuries, the England fullback returned to Arsène Wenger’s starting lineup for his first start since the fourth round trip to Brighton. Gibbs displayed his athleticism in both attack and defence with his marauding runs down the line at the Emirates. He also set up teammate, Olivier Giroud, for the opening goal.
Centre-midfield: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
The stand-in skipper had big boots to fill with the absence of living club legend Steven Gerrard in midfield through injury. However, Henderson displayed all the leadership qualities a manager would dream of with his tireless work ethic and constant communication in Brendan Rodger’s midfield. His beautiful pass to Daniel Sturridge bagged him an assist and helped Liverpool overturn the deficit as they ran out 2-1 winners
Centre-midfield: Joe Allen (Liverpool)
Like his captain, Allen put in a good shift in Liverpool’s midfield, which Crystal Palace demand of any opposing team at Selhurst Park. He was quietly effective in winning the ball back and passing it on to his teammates with great accuracy. His distribution was reminiscent of his time with Rodgers at Swansea which saw him rank up with the Barcelona duo of Xavi and Iniesta for pass completion.
Centre-midfield: Billy Knott (Bradford City)
In front of their biggest home crowd for more than 50 years, 24,021 people to be precise, the Bantams continued their remarkable cup run with yet another Premier League scalp. While Jonathan Stead will get the headlines for his fifth FA Cup goal this season, Billy Knott’s work in midfield should not go unnoticed. An all-action performance in midfield from the ex-Sunderland player was key in the battle for supremacy at Valley Parade.
Forward: Josh King (Blackburn Rovers)
The Norwegian only had one goal for Blackburn this season, and only seven in his previous ninety-nine appearances in English football. The former Manchester United academy starlet seemed to realise his potential with a stunning twenty-minute hat-trick and also earned the penalty for Rudy Gestede’s goal. The first was a glancing header as he took a good position in the box with the second and third effectively carbon copies of each other, as the young forward showed his searing pace and composure to send the 2011 finalists crashing out.
Forward: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
His two goals against a tough Championship outfit in the shape Middlesborough took his goal tally to double figures and ensured the FA Cup holders went through to the next round. His season has been interrupted after suffering a broken leg in August and then by suspension following his sending off against QPR on Boxing Day. The first of his goals rounded off a fluid attack for Arsenal, while the second highlighted a strikers instinct as he reacted quickest in the box to score a wonderful volley to end Middlesborough’s cup-run.
Forward: Brown Ideye (West Bromwich Albion)
The Nigerian striker has left many football fans bewildered as to why West Brom made him their record signing for a hefty £10 million in the summer. He has certainly benefited however, from the arrival of Tony Pulis and ran the West Ham defence ragged with his pace upfront proving to be a useful outlet in switching defence to attack. His first goal may have been a simple enough finish but the second was almost Didier Drogba-esque with his header leaving Adrian no chance in goal.