LONDON – Better-known for its fishing industry, fourth-tier minnows Grimsby Town splashed some FA Cup magic by knocking out Premier League outfit Southampton to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 84 years on Wednesday.
With 4,000 fans making the long journey from the Humber Estuary to the Solent, many wielding inflatable haddocks, Grimsby belied their lowly status with a well-deserved 2-1 victory.
Two penalties netted by Gavan Holohan either side of half-time sealed the win on one of the biggest nights in Grimsby’s history and their reward is a trip to top-flight Brighton and Hove Albion in the last eight – a clash destined to be billed as the Seagulls versus Haddocks.
Manager Paul Hurst described it as a “miracle” as his side became only the sixth team from the fourth tier or below to reach the last eight of the FA Cup since the introduction of the division in 1958-59.
“I’m in shock a little bit. Just delighted for the players. What an effort. We kept disciplined. Look at what that means to the support,” Hurst said, as the visiting fans celebrated loudly.
“We turned up, hoping for a miracle and to be in the quarter-final is incredible.
“It is just a fantastic day, we have gone down in the history books. It is a very special day.”
Grimsby’s hearts were in their mouths as Duje Caleta-Car gave Southampton a lifeline and then Theo Walcott appeared to have equalised with 10 minutes to go, only for his effort to be chalked off by the video assistant referee for offside.
Grimsby’s win means they are the first team in the competition’s history to eliminate five different teams from a higher division in one season.
For Premier League bottom club Southampton it was another low point in a miserable season.
Joining them out of the competition were fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who suffered a 1-0 loss at Championship side Sheffield United after Iliman Ndiaye scored 11 minutes from time to stun the visitors.
“The performance from all the players was first class and the experienced boys at the back were class too,” Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom told the BBC.
Manchester United, meanwhile, fought back to overpower West Ham United 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Three days after they won the League Cup, United trailed to Said Benrahma’s 54th-minute goal at Old Trafford.
But an own goal by West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and late strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Fred sent the hosts into the last eight.
Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag was delighted with his players. “The resilience from this team and the belief they’re going to win it was magnificent,” the Dutchman told ITV. REUTERS
