FA Cup

The new manager bounce is over for Southampton and Manager Ruben Selles. The Saints were beaten at home 2-0 by League Two Grimsby Town in an embarrassing FA Cup exit on Wednesday. Grimsby Town, and its legion of supporters waving inflatable fish, will advance to the quarterfinals of the Cup for the first time in 84 years. The fish, referred to as “Harry the Haddock,” has become a proud symbol of the club with his inflatable image annoying opposition supporters at important Grimsby matches for over 30 years. Southampton made nine line-up changes as new manger  Selles badly underestimated his opponent. The reshuffled Premier League side had no cohesion and committed errors leading to two penalty kick goals by Grimsby. Selles has now lost two of his three matches in charge and no longer seems a savior for Saints faithful who heavily booed their club and new manager at full time. Grimsby and their inflatable fish will visit Premier League side Brighton in the tournament’s next round.

Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester won’t be advancing to that round after suffering their own defeats to lesser sides. Spurs lost 1-0 at Sheffield United while Leicester incurred a 2-1 home loss to Blackburn Rovers. The losses by the Premier League sides represent milder upsets than the Grimsby shocker as Sheffield United and Blackburn are both currently in the top four of the English Championship division. The two Championship sides will face each other in the next round. In FA Cup matches between Premier League clubs, Manchester United eliminated West Ham 3-1 and Fulham was a 2-0 winner over Leeds. The Red Devils and Cottagers will meet in the quarterfinal round on March 18th. Following its 3-0 win over Bristo City, Manchester City will host former Premier League side Burnley in the next round.