FA Cup: Giant-killers Newport square up to ultimate giant Man United

LAST weekend we discussed the possibility of an upset between Bournemouth and Liverpool in the Premier League. And for the first 45 minutes, it looked like a possibility, until Liverpool ran in four second-half goals. This Sunday we are on FA Cup fourth-round duty and looking for the prospect of another upset but in the far more unlikely guise of Newport County, who face one of the biggest tasks in their club history when they host the mighty Red Devils of Manchester United.

This should be no contest on paper, as League 2 Newport face the most successful club in English football history. And it must be pointed out that Newport are even struggling to make an impact in League 2, lying a lowly 14th place in the division. But the South Wales club have a bit of a track record of making life difficult for more illustrious clubs in cup competitions.

And after indifferent early season results, Newport have seemingly found form and are currently unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions. This also included their last win in the league last Saturday, when they humbled the flash Hollywood chaps and fellow Welsh side Wrexham, who are currently riding high in second place on the League 2 table.

But it’s their recent history in cup competitions that is of most interest to us here.

Cup runs

Back in 2013, Newport had just returned to the league football and celebrated the fact by beating then Championship side Brighton 3-1 in the EFL Cup. This was only the Welsh side’s second competitive game after 25 years of non-league football and they ran riot at the Amex after going a goal behind to the Seagulls.

In 2018, Newport were struggling to stay in the Football League again but found confidence in the totally unexpected 2-1 win over Leeds in the FA Cup. County’s reward was a third-round encounter with Spurs. And at Rodney Parade the Welshmen were just eight minutes away from an outstanding result against Mauricio Pochettino’s side. As was so often the case, The Londoners blushes were spared by a Harry Kane strike to draw the game and Premier League side went on to win the replay back in London 2-0.

The following year, the Exiles were at it again, this time humbling the 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City again in the third round FA Cup. With 73 places between the sides, Newport ran away with a 2-1 victory, their first victory over a top-flight side since 1964.

Their reward for dispatching the Foxes was a place against Middleborough in the fourth round and again the Exiles were having none of it from their more illustrious opponents, drawing the first match at Riverside and winning the replay 2-0 at a delirious Rodeny Parade.

The club were in dream territory when they were drawn at home against the reigning Premier League Champions Man City in the last 16 of the cup. And for 45 minutes the unbelievable looked possible as they held City goalless in the first half. City came back to score four in the second half, but it was just 2-1 till the 89th minute when Foden and Mahrez added two to give a good look to the scoreboard. An incredible performance against the eventual winners of the cup that season and it was duly acknowledged by a relieved Pep Guardiola.

For 2020, Newport confined their cup upsets to the Carabao Cup with another impressive run that saw them beat another Welsh side again in Swansea 2-1. Then silencing Watford 3-1 at Rodney Parade to claim a fourth-round place. They then almost claimed a quarter-final spot when they were 1-0 up against Newcastle with just a minute to go, only for Jonjo Shelvey to score an equaliser and The Toon then claim victory in a thrilling penalty shootout by six goals to five.

Newport put their Carabao Cup heartbreak aside the following year to silence Premier League bound Luton Town 3-2 at Kenilworth Road in the second round. Notably coming from behind twice to win.

So, what about Man United in 2024? Can they do a job on the misfiring Devils and their under-siege manager Erik ten Hag?

Big chance

It may be the best chance for Newport will ever have to claim the biggest scalp of them all. County are in good form, they have United at the difficult to play Rodney Parade, and no United fan will be comfortable with their side’s form going into this.

They will be without Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia due to injury, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw minor doubts too. They also do not have keeper Andre Onana who is away on Afcon duty.

Realistically, United should be no way troubled by this encounter but the form and history suggest it’s possible that there will be an upset. And isn’t that what the FA Cup is all about?