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.
Liverpool-Havant & Waterlooville: Saluting Britain's Best Pub Team
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5 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
Fair play to the Anfield crowd who gave them all the respect they deserved for their efforts. I singled it out last round and the boys from Havant have done themselves proud.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
This is the kind of performance that shows the real value of the FA Cup. I was there when non-league Sutton Utd beat Coventry City (who had won the FA Cup just 18 months before) and this was arguably the most deserving successor to that historical match. Havant completely outplayed Liverpool (5 European cups, 17 league trophies ,blah blah blah in the first half and made a complete mockery of the huge gulf in "abilities". By the way, the 5th goal was 2 yards off side. We are the hawks!!!
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Simon Martin about 1 year ago
I saw that goal, disgraceful blunder by the linesman and referee, but to be fair Havant and Waterlooville were magnificent, punched above their weight and unnerved the premiership side. A credit to the nation.
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Sheikh Zakaria about 1 year ago
This is what FA Cup all about..every single team deserves a shot...i was shocked to see the 2-2 scoreline when i got back home...but Liverpool finally showed the Premier League class and got away with all three points..
well dont H&W
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Nick Duckworth about 1 year ago
no points involved here sheikh but we know what ya mean...lol
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