Soccer Super Thread

[tiger_one]

Where does Fleetwood beating Arsenal rank in biggest cup upsets?​

Arsenal suffered a shock Carabao Cup exit at the home of Fleetwood Town, as the League Two side recorded one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.

Mikel Arteta's Premier League champions lost 5-3 on penalties to a Fleetwood outfit ranked 84 places below them in the English football pyramid.

Following Fleetwood's victory, BBC Sport looks at some of the biggest shocks of all-time in the FA Cup and League Cup.

This isn't an exhaustive list, and you can leave your thoughts in the comments, rank the historic upsets and share your results.

Fleetwood 1-1 Arsenal (5-3 on pens, League Cup, 2026)​

Fleetwood Town celebrated the biggest victory in the club's history as they stunned Champions League finalists Arsenal to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals at Highbury Stadium.

The League Two club stunned the visitors when Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave Fleetwood, who sat 19th in English football's fourth tier, a 21st-minute lead.

Viktor Gyokeres pulled Arsenal level after the break - but they could not kick-on and were reduced to 10-men in the 86th minute when teenager Max Dowman kicked out following a challenge by Harrison Neal.

In the shootout, Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes' spot kick before Conor Haughey scored the winning penalty to spark scenes of ecstasy on the pitch and in the stands.

Grimsby 2-2 Man Utd (12-11 on pens, League Cup, 2025)​

An upset as astonishing for its manner as it was for its proportions. Grimsby Town, a League Two side, beat top-flight Manchester United.

Not only did they win, but they were 2-0 up after 30 minutes following goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren.

The visitors pulled one back through Bryan Mbeumo with 15 minutes to go and United looked like they might squeeze through when Harry Maguire went on to level in the 89th minute.

But an incredible shootout followed, with Clarke Oduor for Grimsby and Matheus Cunha for Manchester United missing the only penalties as each side's 11 took one.

The players then went again and, after Darragh Burns scored to make it 12-11, Mbeumo struck his second spot-kick against the crossbar.

Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool (FA Cup, 2025)​

Arne Slot made 10 changes to his Liverpool side after they had won an EFL Cup semi-final in their previous game and the Reds were made to pay.

Eight minutes after the interval, the Pilgrims were awarded a penalty after Harvey Elliott's handball and Ryan Hardie drilled home from the spot in emphatic fashion.

Hardie almost added a second shortly afterwards when his shot was turned on to the post by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The bottom club in the Championship held on, with Conor Hazard making crucial late saves, to beat a team who would go on to win the Premier League title.

Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City (FA Cup, 2015)​

Bradford ranked 49 places below their opponents as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, who at that point were top of the Premier League.

Gary Cahill and Ramires netted to put the hosts 2-0 up and give Chelsea firm control of the fourth-round tie.

Bradford had other ideas, though, as Jon Stead pulled one back before Filipe Morais side-footed in an equaliser.

Andy Halliday then blasted the Bantams ahead before Mark Yeats slotted a fourth to inflict a crushing defeat on Jose Mourinho's side.

Man Utd 0-3 York City (League Cup, 1995)​

Ruben Amorim is not the first Manchester United to suffer a shock in the League Cup - even Sir Alex Ferguson has faced the same.

The United boss didn't take the game lightly and made just four changes from the league game which they had played three days before, with the likes of David Beckham, Lee Sharpe and Ryan Giggs starting.

Paul Barnes, father of Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes, scored twice for Alan Little's visitors, including one from the penalty spot, before Tony Barras headed a third to inflict a crushing defeat at Old Trafford.

United put out another strong team at Bootham Crescent for the return leg two weeks later, with Eric Cantona in their squad, but despite getting two goals from Paul Scholes and another from Terry Cooke, the Minstermen went through 4-3 on aggregate thanks to a strike from Scott Jordan.

 

[Buttface]

That result is probably the biggest upset ever in pommie soccer,it would be the equivalent of the bottom side in NSW country football beating the Rorters Penrith or Brisbane in the NRL in a competition match.The difference in quality of the 2 teams is staggering.

Yep it’s great, I know a knobhead who’ll be stinging right now.

 

[tiger_one]

Top of the league, 10 unbeaten and their most goals at this stage of the season in 67 years.
What a start to the season it’s been for Middlesbrough Football Club

 

[supercoach]

Over in the UK at present visiting my son and his family and he got us tickets to Spurs v Palace tomorrow. Should be a great experience, although neither of us support either team. Iam a Liverpool man and he is a mad Arsenal fan

 

[tiger_one]

Over in the UK at present visiting my son and his family and he got us tickets to Spurs v Palace tomorrow. Should be a great experience, although neither of us support either team. Iam a Liverpool man and he is a mad Arsenal fan

Champion @supercoach - have the BEST time; I'm sure you're going to love the experience, and the amazing crowd vibe.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Over in the UK at present visiting my son and his family and he got us tickets to Spurs v Palace tomorrow. Should be a great experience, although neither of us support either team. Iam a Liverpool man and he is a mad Arsenal fan

Well there’s no way he’ll support Spurs !
Anyway should be a good day ! Enjoy.

PS Come on Ye Spurs !

 

[tiger_one]

@happy_tiger

Tom Aldred late show sees Brisbane Roar take a hard earned point off Auckland​

Brisbane Roar skipper Tom Aldred has refused to allow his side to lose in their A-League Men’s clash with Auckland, netting an equaliser with the last kick of the game.

Brisbane Roar’s relentless push for a draw with Auckland FC has been rewarded as late as possible, with Tom Aldred producing a heart-stopping equaliser with the last kick of the game to secure a 1-1 draw that “almost feels like a win”.

Invigorated after opening their A-League Men campaign with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory, the Roar started Friday evening’s contest with fierce intent, which rendered Hiroki Sakai’s 11th-minute opener for Auckland all the more deflating.

It ensured 80 minutes of mounting frustration for the hosts, who survived Logan Rogerson hitting the bar soon after.

The home side threw themselves forward relentlessly in search of an equaliser, only to be denied by the woodwork, wayward finishing, or a desperately scrambling Auckland defence.

“I felt like they were blocking everything, and at some stage I felt like, OK, let it go, maybe it’s not our day,” Roar boss Michael Valkanis admitted to Paramount+.

“I was really happy with the boys pushing right to the end.”

Finally, with just one last corner to defend in the 95th minute, it appeared the Kiwi side would escape with three smash-and-grab points from just a single shot on target – only for Aldred to refuse to allow his side to lose.

His initial headed attempt from Nam Tae-Hee’s corner blocked, the Roar skipper pounced on the ball and weaved a second attempt through a mass of bodies, sending “The Den” into raptures before sprinting to the stands to join them in celebration.

“It almost feels like a win this one,” Aldred told Paramount+.
“I felt we had a positive performance – it would have been a bit of a sucker blow to come out with nothing.
“It feels good – took one on the chin, count to 10, and we get back up.”

Sabit Ngor had hit the post in the 38th minute, and Justin Vidic rattled the crossbar in the 49th as the Roar frantically pursued an equaliser. Virgiliu Postolachi had been left grimacing after he had a close-range shot deflected over the bar on the half-hour.

But the home side would force Auckland keeper Michael Woud into just a single save in the 79 minutes of regular time following Sakai’s opener, the Japanese defender’s sweetly hit half-volley seemingly all the visitors needed.

At the zenith of a desperate stoppage-time flurry, though, Aldred had the final say.

“Feels a bit like a loss, considering we were 1-0 up pretty much the whole game,” crestfallen Auckland winger Lachlan Brook told Paramount+.

 

[tiger_one]

EPL back tonight!

 

[tiger_one]

Over in the UK at present visiting my son and his family and he got us tickets to Spurs v Palace tomorrow. Should be a great experience, although neither of us support either team. Iam a Liverpool man and he is a mad Arsenal fan

And champion @supercoach, you're now nominated as our "WTF Around The Grounds" reporter for the game.

And please remember to comment about the crowd, the game highlights, the vibe, the tension, the VAR, the whole lot - whatever takes your interest as a fan ...... ⭐

 

[tiger_one]

Here's all the football action coming your way this weekend on Channel10

 

[tiger_one]

It's Halloween.

Matchweek 9.
Chelsea vs Man United.
Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Man City at home.
Crystal Palace v Spurs.

From Chelsea hosting Man United to Liverpool facing Arsenal, the title race is set for an explosive weekend.

Both Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick are at risk of losing three successive games in all tournaments this weekend.

Halloween weekend just got scarier. 😂

 

[tiger_one]

@kiwitiger

Phoenix maintain perfect record after bringing down Jets​

A-League Men leaders Wellington – and Corban Piper – continued their historic start to the season after the Kiwi side grabbed a 3-0 win over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Taking the lead when VAR signed off on Piper beating the offside trap and netting in the 14th minute, the visitors saw off significant Jets pressure before sealing Saturday’s game with goals in the 87th and 94th minutes through Riley Bidois and Nathan Walker.

It was enough to give the Phoenix three straight wins to start an ALM campaign for the first time and kept them top of the table heading into a showdown against defending champions Auckland FC.

It also continued a giddy stretch for Piper, who netted the Phoenix’s 700th ALM goal and made it three in three straight games, days before he’s set to receive a first All Whites call-up for the November international window.

Newcastle, however, who are still winless across all competitions, were stunned his goal stood, despite debutant assistant referee Liam Smith raising his flag before Piper shot, which they felt should’ve seen play whistled dead.

Paramount+ commentators reported that the fourth official had acknowledged an error but, at halftime, Football Australia head of referees Jon Moss clarified to the broadcaster that referee Eric Saba had been within his rights to allow play to run.

In their third of five games in a fortnight, it was the last thing the Jets needed and their frustration mounted when Alex Grant headed a shot off the line by Lukas Kelly-Heald in the 37th minute.

Substitutes Bidois and Walker then hit on the counter to seal it.

 

[tiger_one]

@Halbrowne61
@tiger_one

Mabil and Marcondes magic steer City past Sydney​

A moment of brilliance from Socceroos winger Awer Mabil has delivered Melbourne City a breakthrough 2-1 win over Sydney FC.

City looked in dire straits when Sydney’s Socceroo Al Hassan Toure put the Sky Blues in front in the 36th minute at AAMI Park.

But new City signing Emiliano Marcondes came on at halftime and scored a terrific equaliser in the 46th minute, then teed up Mabil to score a wonderful winner to the crowd’s delight 16 minutes later.

Mabil had gifted 100 tickets to members of the South Sudanese community, with a bus called the ‘Awer Mobile’ organised to help those fans attend the game.

City were without goalkeeper Macklin Freke (groin), with James Nieuwenhuizen starting instead, while Sydney coach Patrick Kisnorbo started teen sensation Akol Akon.

City had the better of the early running, with Andrew Nabbout, Medin Memeti and Quinn MacNicol all having chances go begging while Sydney’s Oriola Sunday dragged a bobbling strike wide in the 20th.

Sydney scored when Oriola Sunday latched onto a long ball from Takehiro Sekine then cut back for Toure, who was given too much space and brilliantly curled a fantastic shot into the top corner.

City should have equalised in first-half added time when Behich whipped in a terrific ball for MacNicol, who nodded wide.

In the first minute of the second half, Nathaniel Atkinson’s long throw-in was headed across goal by Julio Cascante and Marcondes leathered home.

A minute later, Marcondes almost turned provider for Andrew Nabbout, who headed onto the post.

Then, Mabil found Marcondes, whose header forced a save from Devenish-Meares.

Toure thought he’d put Sydney back in front in the 59th minute after being slipped through by Akon, but he was ruled offside.

Minutes later, Nabbout flicked the ball to Marcondes, who rode a challenge and cut the ball for Mabil, who found space between five defenders to score his first A-League goal in 11 years.

Atkinson pulled off an incredible athletic goal line clearance in the 79th minute to preserve City’s lead.

Aurelio Vidmar’s City (1-1-1) next host Western Sydney next Saturday while Sydney (1-1-1) host Central Coast on Friday.

 

[tiger_one]

Wanderers fume after disallowed goal in draw with Macarthur FC​

Western Sydney have been forced to settle for a point after German Ferreyra’s match-winner against Macarthur FC was disallowed for offside.

Western Sydney have been left fuming after German Ferreyra’s first-half goal was disallowed in a stalemate with local A-League Men rivals Macarthur FC.

Ferreyra had seemingly drawn first blood in the ninth minute at a rain-soaked Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday night, but a lengthy VAR review found the Wanderers defender to be offside.

Coach Ufuk Talay couldn’t contain his anger on the sidelines, with the decision denying the visitors back-to-back wins following last week’s 5-2 triumph over defending champions Auckland FC.

Last season’s wooden spooners, the second-placed Wanderers (1-2-0), at least remain undefeated to continue their revival under Talay.

Macarthur, who are led by new coach Sasa Ognenovski, are also undefeated after one win and two draws, and sit third below Western Sydney on goal difference.

The visitors dominated the first half, with Wanderers young gun Miguel Di Pizio setting the tone by forcing a save out of goalkeeper Alexander Robinson in the opening minute.

Di Pizio had been involved in Western Sydney’s disallowed goal, his curling shot from outside the box hit the far post spilling to a well-positioned Ferreyra.

The Wanderers still had the better of chances and would have surely drawn first blood before halftime if not for a quick-thinking Robinson, who matched it with proven match-winners Di Pizio, Nicolas Milanovic and Brandon Borrello.

The Bulls flipped the script in the second half thanks to the much-needed introduction of former Western Sydney winger Ryan Fraser and midfielder Musa Toure in the 60th minute.

The Wanderer’s momentum was stifled further when Milanovic was forced out of the game in the 71st minute with cramps, replaced by Hiroshi Ibusuki.

And after three minutes of added time, but in a wet-weather scrap, neither side could conjure the match-winner.

The Red and Black Bloc (RBB), the club’s active supporter group, notably staged a 20-minute silent protest against policing for the clash.

The group claimed to have been directed by NSW Police to surrender their drums, megaphone and banners two hours prior to kick-off.

Fans also held banners that read “Stand Up For Fans. Not Police Demands” as a message to the Australian Professional Leagues.

The Wanderers enjoyed a large contingent of travelling fans in Campbelltown off the back of a five-star performance against Auckland.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Three in a row for Tottenham after a 2-0 home win over Palace. Steady movement up the ladder is their reward. Keep it going fellas !
Come on Ye Spurs .

 

[supercoach]

Three in a row for Tottenham after a 2-0 home win over Palace. Steady movement up the ladder is their reward. Keep it going fellas !
Come on Ye Spurs .

Just back from the game. Palace had a player red carded early early and never looked like scoring. Spurs had enough possession to score ten goals. The ground is like the SFS on steroids. The pitch is better than the greens I putt on at my golf course. The ground was a sellout around 65000 and getting in and out of the ground was a breeze. Atmosphere was brilliant. I think Spurs are building after a slow start to the season and will finish mid table or a tad better. Certainly a great experience but not sure it beats Leichhardt on a Sunday afternoon!!!

 

[tiger_one]

Just back from the game. Palace had a player red carded early early and never looked like scoring. Spurs had enough possession to score ten goals. The ground is like the SFS on steroids. The pitch is better than the greens I putt on at my golf course. The ground was a sellout around 65000 and getting in and out of the ground was a breeze. Atmosphere was brilliant. I think Spurs are building after a slow start to the season and will finish mid table or a tad better. Certainly a great experience but not sure it beats Leichhardt on a Sunday afternoon!!!

Thanks champion @supercoach - I feel like I was there just reading that.
Sounds like you enjoyed the EPL experience and you know all the Spurs songs too. 😉

 

[tiger_one]

Chelsea took full advantage of Manchester United's second-half collapse to condemn the visitors to a third straight loss and heap yet more pressure on Michael Carrick.
The final score - 2 zip to Chelsea.

United are now without a win in nine games in all competitions, their longest such run since October-November 1988.

A fourth Premier League defeat of the season leaves United 16th, a point above the relegation zone, with under-fire boss Carrick in an increasingly precarious position just days after being given the chance turn things around following a dismal start to the campaign.

After an encouraging first-half performance, United allowed Morgan Rogers to saunter unchallenged through the heart of the defence to dink home the opener for Chelsea five minutes after the break.

Cole Palmer doubled the hosts' lead from the penalty spot 14 minutes later after the video assistant referee spotted Lisandro Martinez, not looking at the ball, thrust an arm into the face of Wesley Fofana.

As a result, Martinez was sent off for a second yellow card and, once Palmer converted the spot kick, the game was all but over as a contest.

It could have been worse for the away side as Chelsea winger Estevao, handed his first league start of the season by Xabi Alonso, smashed in a third, only for it to be ruled out for a marginal offside.

United had had the ball in the back of the net themselves during a promising first 45 minutes but Matheus Cunha's close-range header was checked by VAR and eventually disallowed for offside.

The recalled Bruno Fernandes also put a good chance over, while Amad Diallo twice failed to convert with just Chelsea keeper Mike Penders to beat - but United failed to maintain that level in the second half.

There had been a smattering of boos for Chelsea at half-time but they eased the displeasure with a much-improved showing after the break.

Rogers, aided by the most generous of United defending, gave them the initial boost they needed before Martinez's two bookings in the space of three minutes, leading to Palmer's penalty, put them in complete control.

They could, and perhaps should, have added to their advantage with the lively Estevao coming close and substitute Valentin Barco missing a glorious late chance.

United forward Bryan Mbeumo thundered a shot against the bar in stoppage time but while Carrick's side could end the weekend in the bottom three, Chelsea are up to fourth.

 

[tiger_one]

Forward Evanilson continued his fine goalscoring form by netting in a fourth Premier League match in a row to help Bournemouth defeat Leeds United 2 nil at the Vitality Stadium.

After scoring against Chelsea, Sunderland and Manchester United earlier this month, the Brazilian capitalised on a careless mistake by goalkeeper James Trafford to take his tally for the season to five.

And his excellent run is mirrored by that of his team, who have now won six matches in a row in all competitions, doing so without conceding a single goal.

It could have been a different outcome for Daniel Farke's Leeds side, who were intent on ending their four-game winless run in the Premier League by making a fast start on the south coast.

The visitors thought they had taken an early lead when Dominic Calvert-Lewin connected with a cross from James Justin and bundled the ball into the net inside 11 minutes.

But following a lengthy VAR check, the England international was denied a sixth goal of the season, with replays showing the ball had struck his hand before rebounding into the goal.

The decision did not appear to discourage Leeds, who continued to threaten and almost took the lead three minutes later when Harry Wilson's effort trickled just wide of the near post after he drifted in from the right.

At the other end, Bournemouth struggled to create openings, with Ryan Christie and Adrien Truffert managing only efforts from distance.

The hosts broke the deadlock against the run of play when Justin Kluivert pounced on a costly error by Trafford and squared the ball for Evanilson to score 14 minutes before half-time.

After defender Tarik Muharemovic played the ball to Trafford from a goal-kick, the former Manchester City and Burnley goalkeeper sold Ao Tanaka short with a pass, allowing Netherlands international Kluivert to intercept and set up Evanilson.

For a Leeds side that had been so solid defensively this season - with only Arsenal having conceded fewer goals before this weekend's fixtures - Trafford's careless mistake was a major setback for Farke.

Chances were at a premium in the second half, with the closest either side came to scoring arriving in the 65th minute, when Marcus Tavernier's low, driven free-kick forced a strong save from Trafford.

But Bournemouth made sure of the victory in the 94th minute when Amine Adli finished from close range after being slipped in by fellow substitute Junior Kroupi.

 

[tiger_one]

Igor Thiago continued his return to form as his second-half strike helped Brentford end their five-game wait for a win against Nottingham Forest.

The Bees had taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Nikola Milenkovic inadvertently steered past his own goalkeeper.

Thiago, converted Brentford's second in the final 15 minutes for his second goal in three days - after finding the net at Sunderland in the Carabao Cup - and only his second in the Premier League this season.

His goal, in the 76th minute, was also the game's first shot on target.

In a tense affair, with defeat leaving Forest 19th in the Premier League table, Brentford winger Dango Ouattara's moment of magic broke the deadlock.

The Burkina Faso international skipped past Forest defender Murillo on the right wing before drilling a cross into the six-yard box.

In his attempts to divert the ball, Milenkovic's block looped over his own goalkeeper Matz Sels and into the net.

Brentford captain Mathias Jensen nearly added the game's second before half-time with a free-kick that hit the crossbar.

Visitors Forest had significantly more shots than the hosts but never looked likely to beat home goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Their best chance came early in the second half when substitute Ryan Yates headed over from close range.

But Thiago sealed three points for the hosts with his fourth goal of the campaign in all competitions.

Winger Jaidon Anthony started a counter-attack, moments after coming on as a substitute, before squaring the ball to Thiago whose shot did enough to beat Sels.

Three points for Keith Andrews' Brentford moves them up to sixth.