As usual there are some very interesting games on hand as EPL clubs enter the world’s largest open cup competition. What was once a spirited rivalry, Leeds United versus Manchester United, the two haven’t faced one another for five years. Leeds, leading the League One table headed for promotion, will savor their appearance at Old Trafford as an indication of their progress and more important, their prospects.

And Leeds did just that defeating Man United at Old Trafford 1-0 with the goal from their young star Jermaine Beckford. This is the first time SAF has been knocked out of the FA Cup in the 3rd Round. As has become typical of SAF this season he is again barking at the officials. And no surprise he’s claiming the 5 minutes of added time was “an insult” as if to say that when playing at Old Trafford his team should be given all the time they need. Just like we saw in the Manchester Derby when 4 minutes turned into 7 giving them just enough time for a Michael Owen match winner.

There are usually surprises that come from this round and Leeds provided the biggest. Will there be an upstart club to shock the football world with a stunning win? Will it be Forest Green? Or Luton Town, struggling to rebound from the stiff penalties that actually pushed them out of the league entirely. Luton, currently 7th in the Football Conference, were punished severely for “administrative” misdeeds that ended up with them losing their league status.

It was just two years ago that Luton Town (then in League One) forced a replay at Anfield with Liverpool in this round of the FA Cup. From that height they were chopped down with a huge 24 point penalty. The scandal broke shortly after that appearance at Anfield (the Reds won it 5-0) and the team suffered dramatically losing 17 of their final 23 games that season and were relegated. Compare that with AC Milan, who were guilty of match fixing and the heavy hand of political influence. Milan were handed a 16 point penalty which they appealed (twice) getting it reduced by half, which allowed them to survive. The crimes of Luton’s club leadership was not of the same kind but the penalties were truly profound in comparison. For Luton Town the fight to regain their league status goes on and truly adds significance to their appearance in the FA Cup.

Luton faced Southampton and lost 1-0 as the Saints produced a deluge of attempts on goal in the opening half. Luton’s keeper, Pilkington, was credited with 13 saves in the match. The goal came on a precise free kick from Richard Lambert (36) that beat the wall and the keeper.

Another non-league club in the running to be the shocker of the round was Barrow who faced the Black Cats of Sunderland. The Cats dispatched them handily with a 3-0 win.

While the matches on Saturday didn’t produce any shock results one of those that came as a bit of a surprise was managerless Preston thumped Colchester 7-0. Preston, one of those favored to be among the competition for a promotion spot have faded recently, shed their manager and produced a result that suggests that change could get them back on track. They put the ball in the net in a variety of ways; a hat trick (Jon Parkin), an OG and a penalty among them.

Another that may become the match of the round has the EPL’s in-form club, Birmingham City (unbeaten in their last 11 league games) facing Nottingham Forest who are placed 3rd in the League Championship and on a run of 17 league matches without defeat. One of those runs will end here.

Actually, neither unbeaten run ended as the match produced a scoreless deadlock so they’ll do it again.

With Liverpool’s poor form in mind the result of the match at Reading couldn’t be called a shocker. It was just more disappointment for Reds fans. Liverpool, sputtering and desperate to revive their fortunes traveled to the Madjeski to face Reading FC. Unlike their recent past Reading too have been floundering, having won only once in 12 games on their home ground and hovering just above the relegation zone. One aspect of this one that will be closely watched is the player selection of Rafa; does Babel and/or Voronin get the call? Both are likely to be on their way to new homes in the transfer window and both have been nearly locked out of playing time by Benitez despite the lengthy injury list for the Reds.

Liverpool started poorly despite most of the big guns being on the pitch and Reading’s effort kept them in first gear. The Royals opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Rasiak pulled back a free kick just before it sailed over the byline and it was deflected past Reina by Simon Church. Gerrard leveled from distance (36) when Kuyt’s cleverly letting the cross run fooled the keeper. The play saved the Reds from being thoroughly embarrassed and they’ll do it again at Anfield in ten days.

Man City stretched their winning run under Mancini to 3, but just barely, on a goal from Benjani in just his 2nd appearance for City this season (he has not made an appearance in an EPL match), beating a stubborn Boro 1-0 at The Riverside.

Tottenham faced the League Championship bottom side Peterborough at White Hart Lane while Everton did battle with Carlisle at Goodison. EPL leaders Chelsea faced Watford at Stamford Bridge. There are also ties where EPL sides face one another which frankly are not nearly as interesting such as West Ham facing Arsenal, Wigan versus Hull and Aston Villa versus Blackburn. I’d rather see Fulham v. Swindon or Bolton v. Lincoln City, wouldn’t you?

Speaking of those matches the Cottagers defeated Swindon 1-0 and Bolton walloped Lincoln 4-0 putting themselves in the 4th Round draw. Everton stopped Carlisle 3-1 as James Vaughn scored in his 2nd match in a row on his return from a lengthy recovery from injury and Tottenham blitzed Peterborough 4-0 behind a brace from Kranjcar, another from DeFoe and a late penalty from Keane.

Wigan blasted Hull 4-1 and Villa got past Rovers 3-1 assisted by a straight red card to El Hadj Diouf for an ugly tackle just as Blackburn seemed to getting a grip on the game.

West Ham came close to bushwacking Arsenal, leading until the 78th minute looked a good bet to knock out Wenger’s Gunners in the 3rd Round for the first time in his tenure. Two goals in four minutes changed the day as the Hammers ran out of gas. West Ham took the lead via Diamanti (his 4th goal in the last 5 games) but Aaron Ramsey leveled matters (78) and Eduardo got the match winner (82) to ruin the day for Zola and the fans at Upton Park. It was a superb effort by Zola’s guys but the up tempo, in your face almost frantic pace wore them down just short of full time.

Cup holders and table toppers Chelsea really walloped Watford with a 5-0 thrashing at the Bridge. A lot of interest was directed toward the Blues wondering how they would deal with the 5 missing stars. Daniel Sturridge helped fill the void with two goals, his first for Chelsea with Malouda and Lampard adding theirs along with an OG convinced some of the fans they’d be just fine. The thing is they don’t get to play Watford in the EPL.

Clearly the Leeds upset of Man United at Old Trafford was the key match of the round and serves to peak interest in what many say is a dying old tournament. Those that say that seem to really be expressing the attitude of many of the bigger clubs and their management who lack interest and focus when it comes to what is a fan favorite competition.

That stance by many of the icons of the game itself may be understandable, especially from a financial perspective but it is nonetheless maddening to many fans. The lack of respect for the tournament itself and its storied history that they often express only makes them getting upset sweeter.

And the victory by Leeds at the field of dreams put a big smile on the face of millions and that’s a good thing whether Sir Alex likes it or not. It really is pleasing to fans around the world to see the elitist, arrogant snobs that seem to think they are the game itself brought back down to good ole terra firma.

Kudos to Leeds United and the terrific, historic old tournament too that makes such matches a reality.