The FA Cup continues to prove why it’s one of football’s most unpredictable tournaments. While waiting for the latest results, this fourth round has had everything so far—late winners, stunning goals, and unexpected scares for some of England’s biggest clubs. While Manchester United and Manchester City narrowly avoided disaster, Chelsea suffered a shock exit, and Newcastle battled past a determined Birmingham City side. Here’s a full breakdown of the action.
Manchester United Leave It Late Against Leicester
Old Trafford witnessed a tense affair as Manchester United edged Leicester City 2-1 in dramatic fashion. Leicester struck first in the 42nd minute through Bobby Decordova-Reid, giving the Foxes a deserved lead heading into halftime. Leicester looked poised to cause an upset, but United fought back in the second half.
United responded in the second half, with Joshua Zirkzee slotting home in the 68th minute to level the score. Just when extra time seemed inevitable, Harry Maguire rose highest in the 93rd minute to head in a controversial winner from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick. Leicester players protested, claiming offside, but the goal stood, sending United through in the most dramatic way possible.
Key Performers:
–Bruno Fernandes: Orchestrated United’s attacks and delivered the decisive free-kick.
–Harry Maguire: Scored the winner and was a rock at the back.
–Bobby Decordova-Reid: A constant threat for Leicester, deserved his goal.
Newcastle Survive Early Scare to Overcome Birmingham
Birmingham City wasted no time in their fourth-round clash, with Ethan Laird shocking Newcastle by scoring in the first minute. St Andrew’s erupted as the home fans dared to dream of a giant-killing.
However, Newcastle quickly responded. Joe Willock equalized in the 22nd minute, finishing off an assist from William Osula. Just four minutes later, Callum Wilson put the Magpies ahead, with Osula once again providing the assist. Birmingham refused to go down quietly, and Tomoki Iwata struck a superb equalizer in the 40th minute.
The game seemed destined for extra time, but Willock popped up again in the 82nd minute, securing his brace and Newcastle’s passage to the next round. The game also saw controversy over the absence of goal-line technology, with discussions reigniting about its necessity in cup fixtures.
Key Performers:
-Joe Willock: Two goals and a match-winning performance.
–Willem Osula: Two assists and a lively presence in attack.
– Ethan Laird: A bright spark for Birmingham, scoring early and causing problems.
Manchester City Overcome Leyton Orient After Stunning Long-Range Goal
Manchester City avoided a potential banana skin against Leyton Orient, but not without a scare. Pep Guardiola made several changes to his lineup against League One side Leyton Orient, deciding to start new signing, Omar Marmoush, and it nearly backfired. The underdogs took a shock lead in the 16th minute when Jamie Donley launched a breathtaking strike from near the halfway line, catching Stefan Ortega off guard.
City struggled to break down a resilient Leyton Orient defense, but in the 56th minute, two unlikely heroes stepped up—new signing Abdukodir Khusanov and Rico Lewis combined to equalize. The Premier League champions kept pressing, and in the 79th minute, Kevin De Bruyne fired in the winner after a Jack Grealish assist. It wasn’t the dominant City performance many expected, but they survived an early scare to keep their cup hopes alive.
Key Performers:
–Kevin De Bruyne: The difference-maker with a coolly taken winner.
– Rico Lewis: Solid defensively and involved in the equalizer.
Bournemouth Edge Past Everton in Tight Contest
Goodison Park saw a hard-fought battle between Everton and Bournemouth, with all the action coming in the first half. Bournemouth struck first when Antoine Semenyo coolly converted a penalty in the 22nd minute. Everton responded before the break, with David Jebbison scoring in the 44th minute to level the game.
Bournemouth held on to secure their spot in the next round, while Everton was left to rue missed opportunities. Everton struggled to create clear chances, and Bournemouth’s defense held firm to secure a deserved win. The result adds pressure on Everton manager Sean Dyche, with the Toffees’ poor form continuing.
Key Performers:
–Antoine Semenyo: Clinical from the spot and a constant threat.
-Daniel Jebbison: Took his goal well and worked tirelessly up front.
– Bournemouth’s Defense: Kept a clean sheet against a lackluster Everton attack.
Chelsea Crash Out After Defensive Meltdown Against Brighton
Chelsea’s inconsistent season continued as they suffered a painful 2-1 defeat against Brighton. The Blues took the lead when a well-worked corner reached Cole Palmer, whose attempted cross was disastrously fumbled into the net by Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen.
However, Brighton responded almost immediately. Just six minutes later, Joel Veltman delivered a pinpoint cross to Georginio Rutter, who powered a header into the bottom corner. The comeback was completed in the second half when Kaoru Mitoma took advantage of a defensive mix-up to lift the ball over Robert Sanchez. Chelsea, despite their individual talent, once again showed a lack of composure in key moments.
Key Performers
-Kaoru Mitoma: The match-winner with a moment of brilliance.
–Georginio Rutter: A powerful presence in attack and a well-taken goal.
-Joel Veltman: Provided the assist and was solid defensively.
The Magic of the FA Cup Lives On
If there’s one thing this round proved, it’s that the FA Cup never fails to deliver excitement. Whether it’s last-minute winners, stunning long-range goals, or giant-killing scares, this tournament continues to produce some of the most unforgettable moments in English football. With the next round on the horizon, the drama is only just beginning.
Who will lift the trophy this year? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the FA Cup never fails to deliver excitement.
