250/1 outsiders Port Vale join the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals after the League One side shocked Sunderland in the fifth round.
Vale’s victory was the biggest upset in what turned out to be an entertaining round-of-16. Here’s our roundup of the standout stats:
Stats you might have missed
Vale end 72-year wait
- Port Vale have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years after they booted out Sunderland.
Port Vale conjured up the shock of the fifth round after the League One basement club stunned Sunderland – 57 places above them in the pyramid – thanks to a goal from boyhood Newcastle fan Ben Waine.
Port Vale, whose journey started back in November, have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years, stretching back to 1954, and for only the second time in their history.
Young Gunners
- Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player to appear in the FA Cup, aged just 16 years and 66 days.
Arsenal held their nerve to squeeze past League One Mansfield 2-1 at the One Call Stadium thanks to goals from Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.
Arsenal have now progressed from each of their last 16 FA Cup ties against sides from the third tier or below during the Premier League era, while they became the first Premier League side to score 100+ goals across all competitions this season (101).
The match saw Max Dowman become Arsenal’s youngest-ever player to appear in the FA Cup aged just 16 years and 66 days. In fact, Arsenal became the first ever Premier League side to start a competitive game with two players aged 16 or under – the other player being Marli Salmon – in any competition.
25 and alive for Chelsea
- Chelsea have now progressed from their last 25 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division.
The match of the weekend came in Wales where Chelsea needed extra-time to see off a spirited challenge from Championship side Wrexham. The hosts twice led in normal time, but were pegged back on both occasions, with Chelsea leaving it late (82nd) to take the game into extra-time where they scored twice to secure a 4-2 win after George Dobson was sent off for the Red Dragons.
Chelsea have now progressed from their last 25 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division. Among top-flight teams, only Arsenal (28 from 1998 to 2013) and Man Utd (30 from 1985 to 2009) have had a longer run of eliminating lower league teams.
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro – who scored Chelsea’s fourth – has now bagged more goals (11) than any other Premier League player across all competitions in 2026.
Marmoush haunts the Toon (again)
- 50% of Omar Marmoush’s goals for Manchester City have been scored against Newcastle (7/14).
Manchester reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the eighth season in succession after they came from behind to beat Newcastle (3-1), who they have now eliminated from both domestic cup competitions this season – becoming only the third club to do this to the Toon after Wimbledon in 1987-88 and Arsenal in 2007-08).
Omar Marmoush scored a second-half brace to complete the comeback as he continued his stunning record against Newcastle, who he has now scored seven times against in just five meetings. In fact, 50% of his goals (7 out of 14 goals) for Man City have been scored against Eddie Howe’s side!
Saints stars aligning
- When competing outside of the top-flight, Southampton have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 1975-76.
The round’s other upset came in the capital where the Championship’s Southampton beat Fulham thanks to a dramatic late penalty from Ross Stewart. The Saints continued their resurgence under Tonda Eckert whose side are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions.
The south coast club, who have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the third time in six years, have knocked out a top-flight side while playing outside the top division for just the second time in nine FA Cup ties since they famously beat top-flight side Manchester United in the 1975-76 final.
Leeds breeze through
- Leeds progressed through to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2003 after they beat Norwich 3-0.
Leeds recorded a convincing 3-0 win at home to Championship club Norwich, which means they are now into the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in 23 years. This was their first fifth round triumph in their last five appearances at this stage.
As for Norwich, they have now been eliminated from each of their last 14 FA Cup ties against top-flight teams while playing outside the top division themselves.
Reds bounce back
- This was the second time in five seasons that Liverpool had played and beaten the club bottom of the Premier League in the fifth round.
Liverpool bounced back from Tuesday’s shock 2-1 defeat to wolves at Molineux to beat the same opponents at the same ground 3-1, as they advanced through to the last-8.
This was the second time in five seasons that Liverpool have faced – and beaten – the Premier League’s bottom club in a fifth-round tie.
Hammers march on
- West Ham booked their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in 10 years.
West Ham continued their recent good form by overcoming Brentford in a highly entertaining fifth round clash in the capital.
The Hammers twice led the Bees, who clawed their way back on both occassions, which resulted in a penalty shoot out. The Hammers took the lead twice, but the Bees fought back on both occasions to force a penalty shootout. The hosts converted all five of their spot-kicks in style, with Dango Ouattara’s poor Panenka proving costly for the visitors.
West Ham will now face Leeds in their first FA Cup quarter-final in 10 years.
