The FA Cup produced another weekend of drama as Port Vale and Southampton delivered major upsets, while Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool navigated difficult fifth-round ties to book their places in the quarter-finals.
Lower-league sides again reminded the English elite why the FA Cup remains football’s most unpredictable competition.
Port Vale 1–0 Sunderland
The biggest shock came at Vale Park as third-tier Port Vale stunned Premier League side Sunderland to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.
Ben Waine scored the decisive goal in the 28th minute, rising unmarked to head past the Sunderland goalkeeper after poor defensive organisation.
For Regis Le Bris’ side, enjoying a promising return to the Premier League this season, it was a sobering defeat against a team battling near the bottom of League One.
Port Vale boss Jon Brady, who only took charge in January, described the victory as historic.
His side had already beaten Bristol City in the previous round, but eliminating a top-flight club marked an even bigger achievement.
Fulham 0–1 Southampton
Championship side Southampton stunned Fulham with a dramatic stoppage-time winner at Craven Cottage. Ross Stewart converted a penalty in the first minute of added time after Joachim Andersen fouled Finn Azaz inside the box.
Fulham manager Marco Silva made nine changes following a midweek league defeat, a gamble that ultimately backfired.
Southampton’s victory carries additional meaning for the club, whose players wore a commemorative kit marking 50 years since their famous 1976 FA Cup triumph.
The win extended their unbeaten run to ten matches in all competitions and kept alive hopes of another memorable cup run.
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Newcastle 1–3 Manchester City
Manchester City produced a ruthless second-half display to overturn Newcastle’s early lead and advance to the quarter-finals.
Harvey Barnes put Newcastle ahead after Sandro Tonali’s clever pass, but City levelled before the break in bizarre fashion when Jeremy Doku’s cross deflected in off Savinho.
After halftime, Omar Marmoush scored twice to secure the victory and underline City’s strength despite Pep Guardiola making extensive changes to his starting lineup.
Wrexham 2–4 Chelsea (AET)
Chelsea survived a major scare against Championship side Wrexham, eventually winning in extra time after a dramatic encounter. Sam Smith opened the scoring for the Welsh club before Chelsea equalised through an own goal. Callum Doyle restored Wrexham’s lead late in the game, but Josh Acheampong levelled to force extra time.
The match turned when Wrexham midfielder George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time. Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro then scored to send Chelsea through.
Mansfield 1–2 Arsenal
Premier League leaders Arsenal were pushed hard by League One side Mansfield before securing a narrow victory. Noni Madueke gave the visitors the lead just before halftime, but substitute Will Evans quickly equalised after the break.
Eberechi Eze settled the contest midway through the second half with a powerful strike shortly after coming off the bench. The win keeps Arsenal on course for an ambitious quadruple this season.
Wolves 1–3 Liverpool
Liverpool avenged their recent league defeat to Wolves with a convincing FA Cup victory at Molineux. Andrew Robertson broke the deadlock with a powerful long-range strike before Mohamed Salah doubled the lead moments later.
Curtis Jones added a third goal to seal the result before Hwang Hee-chan scored a late consolation for the hosts. The victory keeps Liverpool’s hopes of FA Cup silverware alive as they move into the quarter-finals.
– AFP
Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
