When the football season resumed in England, it was already obvious Liverpool would win the Premier League title. Nobody quite knew if or when the Champions League would resume. And it rapidly became apparent that amid a glut of games of questionable value, the FA Cup had fresh allure. There were still team changes for the quarterfinals–old habits and the relatively meager financial rewards available still play their part–but amid what remains of the season, it’s the Cup that stands out. It is the highlight of what remains on England's domestic calendar.
The FA Cup has been declining in significance since the advent of the Premier League, something reflected in dwindling crowds.