Sport

Big FA Cup upsets: Chelsea and Man City out

08:59 am on 25 January 2015

Premier League title challengers Chelsea and Manchester City have both sensationally crashed out of the FA Cup, beaten by lower-league opponents at home in the fourth round.

A weakened Chelsea team threw away a 2-0 lead to be embarrassed by third division side Bradford City in London, in one of the biggest upsets in the competition's recent history - while Premier League champions Manchester City were also knocked out, losing 2-0 at home to Championship outfit Middlesbrough.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who made nine changes to the team that had drawn 1-1 with Liverpool in Wednesday's League Cup semi-final first leg, says they're embarrassed and ashamed.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"I repeat a word I used before this match - it's a disgrace for a big team to lose to a small team from a lower league," says Mourinho. "We must feel ashamed. Me and the players must feel ashamed."

And City weren't the only top team to lose to a second-division club - Swansea were stunned 3-1 at Blackburn.

With Southampton beaten 3-2 at home by Crystal Palace, it means that none of the Premier League's top three teams will feature in Monday's fifth-round draw, blowing the competition wide open.

In the late game, Liverpool could only play out a scoreless draw at home to another second division club, Bolton Wanderers.

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling comes off second-best to Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan Photo: Photosport

Manchester United, who are fourth in the Premier League, face a replay against fourth-division Cambridge United after a 0-0 away draw against the League Two club on Saturday.

Sunderland could only draw 0-0 at home to the Championship's Fulham, while Premier League cellar dwellers Leicester City won 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur to reach the last 16.

Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City tangles with Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur Photo: Photosport

West Bromwich Albion won 2-1 at second division Birmingham, Cardiff lost their Championship clash 2-1 to visitors Reading, League One side Chesterfield lost 2-0 at Derby County, and Preston North End drew 1-1 in their League Two clash against Sheffield.