The FA Cup fourth round delivered everything English football promises at this stage of the season. Ruthless heavyweights. Nerve-shredding penalties. Red cards. Giant-killings. And lower-league sides daring to believe.
As the FA Cup fifth round lineup takes shape, the competition feels wide open.
Arsenal keep the quadruple dream alive
Source: Emirates FA Cup on X
At the Emirates, Arsenal made their intentions crystal clear.
Four goals inside 27 minutes blew Wigan Athletic away. Noni Madueke struck first after sharp work from Eberechi Eze. Gabriel Martinelli added a second. Jack Hunt turned Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net before Gabriel Jesus completed the blitz with a delicate chip.
The Gunners are back in the FA Cup last 16 for the first time since 2020.
With a four-point Premier League lead, a League Cup final against Manchester City and Champions League knockout football ahead, talk of a quadruple no longer feels fanciful. Injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White dampened the mood slightly, but the message was emphatic.
Arsenal are serious contenders on every front.
Read more: Arsenal stumble at Brentford as title race tightens
Burnley stunned as Mansfield write history
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The shock of the round came at Turf Moor.
Third-tier Mansfield Town defeated Burnley 2-1 to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1975.
Scott Parker rotated heavily, making nine changes. It backfired.
Josh Laurent gave Burnley the lead, but Rhys Oates levelled before Louis Reed struck a superb late free-kick to seal a famous win.
For Mansfield, it was a day etched into club folklore. For Burnley, it was a reminder that the FA Cup punishes complacency.
Leeds survive shoot out drama
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There was late heartbreak at St Andrew’s for Birmingham, but relief for Leeds United.
Lukas Nmecha’s goal looked enough to send Leeds through before Patrick Roberts equalised in the 89th minute. After extra time, penalties decided it.
Leeds held their nerve, winning the shoot-out 4-2 to book their place in the fifth round.
For a team battling near the bottom of the Premier League, progress in the cup offers rare breathing space.
Liverpool cruise at Anfield
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At Anfield, Liverpool were clinical against Brighton.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring from an unfamiliar right-back role. Mohamed Salah then assisted Dominik Szoboszlai before adding a penalty for his 252nd goal for the club.
Brighton had stunned Manchester United in the previous round, but this was a step too far. Liverpool advanced comfortably, looking sharper with every passing week.
Manchester City made to work by Salford
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Over at the Etihad, Manchester City avoided embarrassment against fourth-tier Salford.
An early own goal gave City control, but Pep Guardiola’s side struggled for rhythm. Salford, owned by Gary Neville and David Beckham, competed bravely.
It took until the closing stages for new signing Marc Guehi to score his first goal for City and finally settle the tie at 2-0.
Professional rather than spectacular. But job done.
Newcastle turn controversy into victory
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Few matches carried as much chaos as Newcastle United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
Villa led early through Tammy Abraham before goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. With no VAR at this stage of the competition, controversy simmered.
Sandro Tonali scored twice, including a stunning strike from distance, as Newcastle completed the turnaround. Nick Woltemade added the third to seal progression.
For Villa, another trophy opportunity slipped away.
Chelsea too strong for Hull
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Chelsea had little trouble dispatching Hull City 4-0.
Pedro Neto scored twice, while Jorrel Hato and Estevao added further goals. Rory Delap supplied three assists in an impressive creative display.
Hull simply could not live with Chelsea’s movement and intensity.
Wrexham’s fairytale continues
Hollywood-backed Wrexham AFC kept their dream alive with a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Josh Windass scored the decisive goal as Wrexham reached the fifth round for the first time since the late 1990s.
From non-league obscurity to national headlines, their rise continues to capture attention.
West Ham edge through in extra time
West Ham United needed extra time to overcome Burton 1-0.
Crysencio Summerville struck in the 95th minute before Freddie Potts was sent off, forcing the Hammers to defend with ten men.
With relegation worries in the league, cup progress provides some much-needed relief.
Wolves, Fulham and Sunderland also advance
Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a 1-0 win at Grimsby, Santiago Bueno scoring the decisive goal.
Fulham came from behind to beat Stoke 2-1, while Sunderland edged Oxford 1-0.
No shortage of Premier League representation remains.
The fifth round promises more
The FA Cup has always thrived on contrast.
Title contenders chasing history. Relegation-threatened sides seeking redemption. Third-tier clubs writing their greatest chapters.
As the fifth round approaches, the heavyweights remain. But so do the dreamers.
And if this weekend proved anything, it is that the FA Cup still refuses to follow a script.
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Featured Image Source: The Emirates FA Cup on X
