I'm not a huge football fan although I do watch some games on television, mostly if they involve either England or Tottenham, 'my team'. However, over the last few days I've seen 2 great games, totally different but equally noteworthy.
First up was Manchester City entertaining Liverpool. These are certainly the 2 best teams in Britain (apologies to Tottenham) and 2 of the best half dozen in Europe. Between them they produced a terrific game of the highest quality, and a match that I watched from start to finish, never being quite sure which would come out on top. It was a brilliant game, decided by the tiniest of margins but totally absorbing.
The second match was just now. Lowly Newport County, who sit around the middle of what used to be called the English fourth division and have lost 4 of their last 5 league games, took on the might of Leicester City who are in the top half of the Premier, or First, division and actually won that league only a couple of years ago, in the third round of the FA Cup. The third round, when the bigger clubs first enter the competition is a traditional graveyard for some but no way did Newport really have any chance of winning this game.
Well, they won. What's more, they won deservedly. Over 90 minutes plus extras they ran, chased and harried; they put their all into a game and came out on top with a brilliant performance. It wasn't anywhere near as polished a match as the Manchester City-Liverpool affair, but it was exciting and a wonderful advertisement for the romance of the FA Cup. Last season, Newport actually gave Tottenham a run for their money in the 4th round and now they have the chance to do it again.
This match showed that the gap between the divisions isn't all that great, particularly if the 'better' teams don't take their opposition seriously. It also showcased the talents of several players who may now find themselves attracting the attention of the 'big boys'. For them I say 'beware'; many a young prospect has vanished for ever after falling prey to such temptation but ultimately being found to be not quite as good as expected.
Nonetheless, huge congratulations to Newport and more power to their collective elbow, as long as they don't draw Tottenham in the 4th round !
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