{
  "id": 16868409,
  "title": "FULL LIST: Top 10 memorable cup upsets in English football history",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/full-list-top-10-memorable-cup-upsets-in-english-football-history-16868409",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T08:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/full-list-top-10-memorable-cup-upsets-in-english-football-history/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "English football has witnessed numerous remarkable upsets where lower-league and non-league clubs have shocked established giants in the FA Cup and League Cup. Here are ten of the most memorable matches:\n\n1. Hereford United defeated top-flight Newcastle United 2-1 in a third-round FA Cup replay in 1972. Ronnie Radford's long-range equalizer sent the match into extra time, after which substitute Ricky George scored the winning goal.\n\n2. Wrexham stunned reigning league champions Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup in 1992. Mickey Thomas scored a memorable free-kick, and Steve Watkin netted the winner for Wrexham in extra time.\n\n3. Sutton United shocked Coventry City, who had won the FA Cup just two years earlier, 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup in 1989. Matthew Hanlan scored the decisive goal.\n\n4. Bradford City staged a stunning comeback against Chelsea 4-2 in the FA Cup in 2015. Goals from Jon Stead, Filipe Morais, Andy Halliday, and Mark Yeates eliminated the Premier League leaders after a 2-0 deficit.\n\n5. Bradford City narrowly defeated Arsenal 1-1 in the League Cup quarter-finals in 2012, winning 3-2 on penalties. Garry Thompson scored for Bradford, and Thomas Vermaelen equalized late for Arsenal.\n\n6. Oldham Athletic stunned Liverpool 3-2 in the FA Cup in 2013. Matt Smith scored twice, and Reece Wabara added another goal despite Liverpool featuring stars like Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.\n\n7. York City stunned Manchester United 3-0 in the League Cup in 1995. Paul Barnes scored twice, and Tony Barras added a third. York progressed 4-3 on aggregate despite Manchester United winning the return leg.\n\n8. Northampton Town pulled off a major upset at Anfield, holding Liverpool to a 2-2 draw before winning the penalty shootout 4-2 in the League Cup in 2010.\n\n9. Plymouth Argyle eliminated Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup in 2025. Ryan Hardie's second-half penalty secured the narrow victory, with Plymouth defending resolutely.\n\n10. Grimsby Town delivered an astonishing upset against Manchester United 12-11 on penalties in the League Cup in 2025. After racing into a 2-0 lead, Manchester United fought back to force penalties. Grimsby eventually prevailed 12-11 in the shootout.",
  "summary": "Discover the top 10 most memorable cup upsets in English football history, featuring giant-killings like Hereford vs Newcastle and Bradford vs Chelsea. Read More: https://punchng.com/full-list-top-10-memorable-cup-upsets-in-english-football-history/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}