It says everything about this season of surprises that West Ham were bitterly upset to drop two points and miss out on a place in the top four after a controversial equaliser from the penalty spot by Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas.

FA Cup Fifth Round: Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 2: The FA Cup may have lost some of its allure for some fans and managers in the modern game, but do not count Brendan Rodgers among them.