The FA Cup continued to deliver drama and surprises this weekend as Premier League giants faced off against lower league competition during the fifth round of the tournament. Highlights of the matches included notable victories, heartbreaking defeats, and thrilling penalty shootouts.
On Sunday, Manchester United hosted Fulham at Old Trafford, hoping to avoid being eliminated from the FA Cup. The match initially saw Fulham take the lead with Calvin Bassey’s late first-half goal, marking his second goal at Old Trafford across three visits. United, struggling to find their form, managed to equalize thanks to Bruno Fernandes, who fired home to make it 1-1. The game went to penalties after the teams were locked at one goal apiece. Fulham triumphed 4-3 on penalties, with Bernd Leno proving to be the hero by saving attempts from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee. This victory marked Fulham's first FA Cup win over holders Manchester United since 1908, effectively ending United's aspirations for silverware this season.
Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed joy over the win, noting the pressure it alleviates as the team set their sight on the next round against fellow London side Crystal Palace. He praised the performance of his players, particularly Leno's heroics, saying, "It was fantastic to watch him straight after the penalty shootout, he gave his very best." Meanwhile, United's manager Ruben Amorim faced criticism for his team’s inability to capitalize on their home advantage, stating, "The goal is to win the Premier League," emphasizing the need to refocus on league play.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United faced Brighton & Hove Albion at St James' Park. The match was intense and saw several red cards, with both teams finishing with ten men. Alexander Isak put Newcastle ahead early with a penalty, but Yankuba Minteh equalized for Brighton just before halftime. Tensions escalated during extra time when both Anthony Gordon and Tariq Lamptey were shown red cards. It was Danny Welbeck who clinched the match for Brighton with a stunning goal late on, sending them through to the quarter-finals. After the match, Welbeck expressed his happiness about contributing to the team's success, saying, "It was really important for me to find the net and help the lads."
The drama didn’t stop there; on Saturday, Bournemouth secured their place in the quarter-finals after defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. The match was filled with controversy, particularly with Wolves’ Matheus Cunha being sent off for violent conduct just before penalties were due. Bournemouth’s triumph marks another step forward for the club as they continue their impressive run this season.
Aston Villa's match against Cardiff was another highlight of the weekend. Villa prevailed with Marco Assensio scoring twice to secure the victory, and their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in ten years. Manager Unai Emery praised his players, saying, "We are excited to share this opportunity with our supporters."
Of note was Manchester City's strong performance against Plymouth Argyle, where Pep Guardiola's side managed to recover from being down 1-0, eventually winning 3-1 thanks to goals by Nico O'Reilly, who echoed Guardiola’s praises of his big presence on the pitch. City remains the only former champions left standing, being seen as favorites to capture another FA Cup title.
After the completion of this weekend's matches, the draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals is set to take place, remaining highly anticipated as the competition heats up. Teams already through include Fulham, Brighton, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Manchester City. Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town were gearing up for their last fifth-round tie, with the winner joining the other clubs. The excitement of the FA Cup will continue as the quarter-finals are scheduled for March 29-30.
The FA Cup is notorious for its unpredictability, and this year's competition has certainly delivered, with lower league teams showing their grit against Premier League opposition and setting the stage for what's to come. Fans are eager for the quarter-finals as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal have already exited the tournament, paving the way for newer, unexpected heroes to emerge.
Without question, this FA Cup season remains compelling and thrilling, packed with unforgettable moments and the promise of even more excitement as the tournament progresses.