Forgive me but I can’t resist. Its not often we are national, never mind international, news.
Lets start with the global reaction:
Italy’s Datasport says Burnley’s victory was: Un risultato maturato grazie alla clamorosa autorete di Traore al 52` in una gara comunque vinta meritatamente dal Burnley .
Spanish sports paper Marca reports that: El Liverpool de Rafa Benítez fue eliminado de la Copa en la tercera ronda por el Burnley, equipo de la segunda categoría del fútbol inglés….
France’s famed sports newspaper L’Equipe says: Grosse surprise en 32e de finale retardé de la Cup anglaise. Burnley, club de Division One (D2 anglaise), a sorti Liverpool (1-0)
In the UK press here is Henry Winter in the Telegraph:
On a raw Lancashire night that demanded the presence of men, not boys, Liverpool were deservedly punished for taking the FA Cup lightly and fielding a weakened team. How fitting that this desperately embarrassing defeat should be sealed by an own-goal, an extra-ordinary one from Djimi Traore.
…..Struggling financially, Burnley will celebrate this famous evening long and hard, the score reflecting their 1914 FA Cup final success over Liverpool.
Steve Cotterill’s men played with pride in their shirt and with an appreciation of the Cup’s traditions, and constantly threatened through the outstanding Richard Chaplow, Jean- Louis Valois and Mo Camara as they progressed to a fourth-round tie against Bournemouth.
Dominic Fifield in The Guardian: Those purists who argue that the Cup’s status has been damaged by under-strength selections from clubs whose priorities are Premiership points will revel in the justice of it all. Burnley almost slipped into administration last year; today they awake thrilled by the most satisfying of victories.