FA Cup Quarter-Finals Beckon as Six Teams Seal Spots in Dramatic Fifth Round

Southampton and Port Vale stun Premier League giants to join Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool in last eight

LONDON, March 8, 2026 (ValidView Network) – The Emirates FA Cup’s fifth round delivered classic cup drama on Sunday, with six teams punching their tickets to the quarter-finals amid stunning upsets and late heroics.

Championship outfit Southampton orchestrated a major shock, edging Premier League Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. The decisive moment arrived in the first minute of stoppage time when Finn Azaz drew a penalty from Fulham defender Joachim Andersen. Ross Stewart coolly slotted home the spot-kick, sparking wild celebrations and propelling the Saints into the last eight for the first time since 2023.

Southampton boss Russell Martin hailed his side’s resilience post-match: “This is what the FA Cup is about—heart and belief. Fulham dominated possession at 62%, but we hung in and struck when it mattered.” Stats underline the upset: Fulham fired off 18 shots to Southampton’s 7, yet Stewart’s 90+1′ penalty (his third goal of the campaign) proved fatal.

Not to be outdone, League One’s rock-bottom Port Vale engineered one of the competition’s greatest giant-killings, defeating Sunderland 1-0 at Vale Park. New Zealand striker Ben Waine’s 28th-minute volley—his first goal since joining in January—stood firm against a Sunderland side that peppered the woodwork twice and held 55% possession. It marks Port Vale’s deepest run in 72 years, last reaching this stage in 1954.

Valiants manager Darren Moore beamed: “This is history for our club and fans. Sunderland are a top-tier team, but cup football levels the field.” The win extends Port Vale’s unbeaten streak to four, a rare bright spot in their relegation battle.

Joining the underdogs are the Premier League heavyweights: Arsenal dismantled League Two Mansfield Town 3-1 earlier, with Bukayo Saka netting twice; Chelsea saw off League One Wrexham 2-0; Manchester City cruised past Newcastle United 3-0, courtesy of Erling Haaland’s brace; and Liverpool edged Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

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The quarter-final lineup nears completion with two ties left. Leeds United host Norwich City at Elland Road later today (16:30 GMT kick-off), while West Ham United face Brentford in an all-Premier League derby on Monday (19:30 GMT). Leeds, chasing a first quarter-final since 2021, boast home advantage and a red-hot form guide, having won four straight.

This season’s FA Cup has already seen £6.2 million in prize money distributed, with quarter-finalists earning £450,000 each. Reigning champions Manchester United exited early, heightening hopes for a fresh winner. Draw details for the last eight will follow fixtures’ conclusion.

As African football fans, including Nigeria’s Super Eagles supporters, tune in, these results echo the magic of underdog triumphs seen in past tournaments—like Wigan Athletic’s 2013 FA Cup glory.