1 premier league team remains in the competition. 10 Premier League teams have been eliminated by lower division teams. That number could become 11 before the trophy is handed out. Could all of this be attributed to the magic of the cup? Or is there more to it? Of course, there are going to be those one-off results, and other exceptions, but we shall try and generalize to whatever extent possible, the reasons behind such giant killing acts.

Desire. This, in my opinion, is the strongest factor in favor of the minnows. Apparently, if there is enough desire to win a football match, then any amount of talent or money can be overcome on a given day and place. And clearly, these lower league teams which are so starved of such publicity and glory have a much greater appetite for such an enormous occasion as a day at the Wembley. This desire is so evident in the enthusiasm and work rate on display on the field during the match. Weather it is in attack or defence, all 11 players join in and help out careless of their specific roles or position. They perform as if this were their only chance for survival. The players or the crowd need absolutely no motivation or encouragement to be up for the match. They are as excited on the day as one would be on Graduation day or their day of Marriage. This means so much to them. This is their final of the World Cup. Their one shot at Glory.

The FA Cup, its history and romance are better understood and appreciated by the English, born and brought up in that culture and mix, than those belonging to overseas nationalities who were transferred in. As you might have guessed, I am about to point out the proportion of non-English players playing in the teams belonging to the top-tier. This might result in the tournament meaning lesser to some of the players than say European competitions. Players thus may not be as motivated as their opponents from lower divisions which are more pre-dominantly English.

Familiarity. How often do you think the teams from the top tier watch those from lower divisions perform? Compare with that, how often teams from lower divisions follow those in the top tier. They’d know exactly who is who. How fast/slow each person is. What are their strengths and weaknesses? Is he a right legged or a left legged player…so on and so forth. Of course, top division teams will have scouts who will have detailed reports of such matter, but then again, it can’t be as good as knowing it yourself by heart.

Am just speculating here, but teams from the top tier have larger squads that are stocked in order to cushion their teams from injuries and suspensions. Such teams usually participate on more than two fronts. They end up shuffling and rotating their squads often leaving them with lesser playing time with the each other. Agreed, these are very talented players and are expected to be able to overcome such hurdles. But then again, I am just speculating and also, it is not beyond imagination that this might be a factor.

Another point that competing on various fronts brings out is that of priority. Different players might have different priorities. The board, manager, fans, etc. might have differing priorities. Rafael Benitez, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano might value the Champions League more than the Premiership or the FA Cup. They might not understand what it means to local lads Steven Gerrard or Jaime Carragher. This problem obviously ceases to exist or diminishes in a team dominated by English players as is the case in lower levels.

Whatever the reason, whatever the problem, hope it prevails, for it always gives the neutral and the purist some romantic satisfaction. To the FA Cup and what we like to call, …its Magic.