Can anyone end the ‘Big Five’ stranglehold on the FA Cup? | OneFootball

The FA Cup’s fifth round gets underway this evening in what is fast becoming an open competition.

Liverpool’s shock exit in the fourth round at Plymouth was a huge upset, as the runaway Premier League leaders lost to the second-tier strugglers.

Arne Slot’s side are not the only big name to have been eliminated. Arsenal fell by the wayside in round three, while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur will also spend this weekend watching on.

With four of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ already eliminated, could we see a surprise name on the trophy in 2024/25? For all the talk of English football’s competitiveness, the FA Cup has had a stranglehold on it since the turn of the millennium.

Just three teams outside of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have won the FA Cup this century. The run of dominance from those teams stretches even further back, with 29 of the last 33 FA Cups heading to that quintet.

The Manchester clubs remain in the hunt this season, though neither appears the force of old. Manchester City have endured a tough title defence in the Premier League and are 20 points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Manchester United, meanwhile, are enduring their worst-ever Premier League campaign.

So who could upset the odds?

Newcastle are considered contenders, should the Magpies navigate a tough tie at home to Brighton this weekend.

The Magpies competed in the Champions League last season and have reached the Carabao Cup final this time round. Eddie Howe’s side take on Liverpool at Wembley next month in pursuit of their first domestic silverware in 70 years. It’s been a long wait at St James’ Park.

Aston Villa’s last FA Cup success arrived in 1957. The Villans won two League Cups in the mid-nineties but have not claimed silverware since.

Unai Emery has led the side into the Champions League’s knockout rounds this season but will be keen to turn progress into silverware. The Spaniard has four Europa League titles and a Ligue 1 title in his cabinet but is yet to taste success in English football.

Elsewhere, Forest are riding high in the Premier League. Currently third, a place in Europe’s elite next season is within reach for a well-drilled side. Forest, however, were European champions more recently than their last FA Cup success. The Tricky Trees last tasted success in this competition in 1959.

Or could we see an entirely new name on the trophy?

Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham and Crystal Palace are all impressing in the Premier League right now and have never won a major trophy. With many of the big guns gone and the remaining elite far from fearsome, each will have cautious optimism.

An end to the ‘Big Five’ stranglehold could breathe new life back into world football’s oldest domestic competition.

What a refreshing story that would be.

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