Liverpool came from behind twice to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 5-2 victory—at the expense of Havant and Waterlooville, who must be the best pub team in Europe this year.
Richard Pacquette put Havant ahead before Leive Lucas curled a 25-yarder into Havant's net to equalise.
A deflected shot allowed the part-timers to get in front once more, until 15 tense minutes later Yossi Benayoun equalised for Liverpool.
It was a stunning display by a team ranked 123 places lower than Liverpool—and a squad that has a total value equal to one day of an average Liverpool player's wages.
Liverpool came back determined, with Benayoun scoring to make it 3-2 just after the break. He earned a hat-trick off a rebound three minutes later, pushing the lead to 4-2.
Havant and Waterlooville weren't deterred, though—in fact, they nearly made it 4-3 when Tom Jordon's shot was saved by Charles Itandje.
Peter Crouch put the result beyond doubt after side-footing from six yards out, but one thing today was clear: Only when Liverpool went up 4-2 did they look like a team of millionaires playing a pseudo pub team.
Havant and Waterlooville played a magnificent game, making their opponents squirm throughout and look downright clumsy at times. The scoreline does not reflect the skill and panache that kept Liverpool fans nervous for the best part of 70 minutes.
And so: Well done to Havant and Waterlooville. It wasn't the result we neutrals wanted, but you did us—and the game of football—proud.
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