Football: that Confounded, Carling/League/Capital One, Whatever Cup!

Of course, its not really the Cup, under its sundry guises, that is to be cursed but, having fallen in quick succession to "lesser" (as in lower division) teams, Arsenal, Chelsea  and Manchester United may probably be excused for having negative sentiments.

Firstly, it had ALL been going SO well for Arsenal. Having rolled over the likes of Leceister, Watford and Man United in the Premiership and beaten their Champions League nemesis Bayern at home, to boot, the Gunners could do no wrong.

And then they did. Faced with  Sheffield Wednesday - 9th in the Championship currently, but a side with considerable historical pedigree, the Gunners were dismantled and also collapsed on their own effort, beating the Gunners 3-0 at Hillsborough on Tuesday to reach the quarter finals. Portuguese international Joao did arguably most damage, doubling the home side's lead for his second goal in as many matches. Ross Wallace and Sam Hutchinson also got on the score sheet.

Holders Chelsea were beaten 5-4 on penalties in the fourth-round tie after forcing extra-time through Loic Remy's injury-time equaliser. Manager Mourinho's Blues side had 59% possession and 24 attempts at goal - nine of those were on target, compared to Stoke's five. They also won 11 corners to Stoke's two.
Mourinho faced the media after the match for the first time since Friday, having refused to speak after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by West Ham and before Tuesday's cup tie.

Then Herr van Gaal. Man United's opponents, Middlesborough just missed out on a return to the top flight in last season's Championship playoffs. But the side looked "Premier-worthy" in holding the visitors to a 0-0 scoreline through regulation and the extra time periods. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young each laid an egg in their respective kicks, allowing Boro fans to erupt at the famous victory.

A victory which is now part of an embarrassing pattern for the Mancunians: Manchester United have been knocked out by lower-league opposition in three of their last four League Cup meetings with sides from outside the top-flight