There were plenty of talking points as the magic of the cup continued last weekend, as clubs battled it out for a place in the last 16 of the prestigious competition. Read our exclusive Round 4 round-up.
The FA Cup 4th Round: The Magic of the Cup Continues
The FA Cup Round 4: Reds Crash Out
The biggest story of the weekend occurred at Plymouth where Liverpool manager Arne Slot paid the price for utilising some of his fringe players and saw his team’s dream of winning four trophies this season shatter. The Reds boss made ten changes from the team that beat Tottenham in the EFL Cup semi-final and his reserves were unable to break through against the team who are bottom of the Championship.
Disaster then struck when Harvey Elliott handballed in the box eight minutes into the second half and Ryan Hardie was on hand to net what proved to be the winner from the spot.
The Magic of The Cup: Bloody Blues
Another highly fancied team, Chelsea, were also left to concentrate their efforts on other competitions as they fell at the fourth-round stage at Brighton. Enzo Maresca’s side got off to a dream start when Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dropped the ball into his own net early on, but the south coast outfit were able to fight back and claimed their place in the draw for the next round with a Kaoru Mitoma winner.
The Magic of The Cup: Mighty Manchester
The last two FA Cup finals have been all-Manchester affairs and both United and City ensured their places in the fifth round, although both left it late to secure their last-16 berths. United needed a controversial injury-time header from Harry Maguire to get the better of Leicester City 2-1, even though the England defender looked to be offside when he headed home from a free-kick.
City, meanwhile, were given a scare when they fell behind to League One Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road, but a late goal from Kevin De Bruyne spared them further disappointment in their difficult season as Pep Guardiola’s side went through following a 2-1 win..
The Magic of The Cup: Likely Lads
Newcastle United ensured they remained in the cup in the week when they booked their place in the League Cup final by getting the better of League One leaders Birmingham City in an enthralling game at St Andrew’s. Joe Willock was on hand to grab the winner in a 3-2 and they are joined in the draw by Aston Villa, who didn’t look back after Jacob Ramsey scored after just a minute against troubled Tottenham.
Morgan Rogers scored a second after the interval and a late goal from new signing Mathys Tel was not enough to earn Spurs a reprieve. Other teams who secured their spots in the fifth round over the weekend were Millwall, Ipswich Town, Bournemouth, Preston, Burnley, Cardiff City, Fulham and Wolves. Crystal Palace travel to Doncaster Rovers on Monday and this season’s Premier League surprise package Nottingham Forest head to Devon to take on League One Exeter City on Tuesday.
By Adrian Mills
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