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Teams shifted focus off of their league charge to the prestigious FA Cup. Teams all the way from the fourth division to the top flight were involved. The FA Cup is very famous for the upsets it causes. The straight knockout matches add to the excitement. Any team can beat any team in a one-off match.
Back in 2013 Wigan beat Manchester City to win the cup even though they got relegated that season. A stoppage-time winner saw the Latics their first ever major piece of silverware. The same year saw Sutton beat Norwich 1-0 and become the first Non-League team to beat a premier league side. This shows that emotion plays a huge role in these ties as a side full of confidence with their fans cheering them on can nick on off of any side in the competition.
The beauty of the competition is that teams often look to rotate the team and hence give the younger players the opportunity to showcase their skills. The likes of Phil Foden, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Oliver Skipp, Tahith Chong among others get a feel of the first team and gain much needed minutes to facilitate their growth.
5th Round Fixtures
- Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Watford
Watford just about edged past Championship side QPR as Capoue's stoppage-time volley was all that separated the two sides. QPR made a hash of their chances and was punished at the stroke of half time.
- Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Derby County
Lokadia and Knockaert gave Brighton a comfortable lead heading into half time. Ashley Cole pulled one back late on but wasn't enough. Lampard's men couldn't repeat their comeback against Southampton as Chris Hughton's men reach the quarterfinals for the second time on the bounce.
- AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Millwall
Millwall beat their London neighbours following an early header from Murry Wallace. Millwall continued their great Cup run following their emphatic 4-2 victory over West Ham.
- Bristol City 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years following the strike from Cup hero Cavaleiro. Incidentally, it is his first goal since his winner in the replay of the previous round.
- Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crystal Palace
Palace eased into the next round with a dominant performance away at the Keepmoat Stadium. Shclupp and Mayer wrapped up the tie with their first-half goals. This ended Doncaster's best Cup run in 60 years.
- Swansea City 4-1 Brentford
Bersant Celina and Daniel James led the charge as the Welsh side pulled off a second-half masterclass. As the fans protested against the Club's board the, players put on a show as they came back from a goal down to win the tie.
Standout Matches
- Newport County 1-4 Manchester City
Phil Foden stole the show as the League leaders traveled down to Newport. Two brilliant goals scored by Foden sandwiched between strikes from Mahrez and Sane saw City avert a Cup upset.
Newport played well and managed to frustrate City as they carved out the best chance of the first half. City showed their class as they brushed aside the fourth tier side and kept the quadruple dream alive.
Foden scored his first with a brilliant solo run, picking up the ball at the halfway line and driving at their defence. A few step-overs and a cut back to his favored left foot allowed him to shoot and get City ahead. Newport pulled one back and raised some hopes of a comeback. Within minutes, Foden took a rocket of a shot and put the game to bed. With 5 goals to his name this season, Foden is establishing himself as a first-team star at the tender age of 18.
- Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United
He was back at it! Paul Pogba drives Manchester United to pick up a famous win over Chelsea at Stanford Bridge. First assisting Harerra then getting onto a Rashford cross himself to head his side into the next round.
Chelsea held most of the possession, constantly moving the ball from side to side, but lacked penetration. They controlled the tempo of the game, but United was solid and allowed Chelsea no space in the final third. On the other hand, they were extremely lethal on the counter scoring from both of their only real opportunities on goal.
Chelsea had the same issues again. Alonso was at fault for both the goals. First, he let his man free and allowed Harerra a free header from 6 yards out. For the second he let Rashford just too much space to look up and pick out Pogba who was darting into the box from deep. Jorginho was ineffective again as United's midfield diamond overran Chelsea in the middle of the park.
Pogba put in another great performance. He played on the right of the diamond instead of his preferred no10 role. He defended and tracked back to help his side and was lethal at the other end of the field.
With Lingard and Martial out for lengthy periods, Lukaku and Sanchez seem to be getting more minutes on the field as United go all out for the rest of the season.
Quarter Finals
Manchester City has gotten a very favorable draw as they travel north to Swansea. Brimming with confidence, anything but a City masterclass seems off the table.
Palace vs Watford would be an exciting clash with the two Premier League sides would have nothing more to go for as they both have almost secured midtable finishes. Palace would have to be favorites heading into this one, as a trip to the Selhurst Park is never straight forward.
Manchester United look unstoppable at the moment. Barring a blip against PSG, Solskjaer's men have been near flawless, playing exciting attacking football and getting results as well. Wolves though are no pushovers. Having eliminated Liverpool in the Cup and having beaten Chelsea and Spurs in the league, they'd be willing to take their chances. A close tie but United is definitely the favorite to go through.
Millwall vs Brighton would be the most unpredictable of them all. The Den will surely be bouncing as they take on the Premier League side. Currently, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Millwall are in a position they love. It will be a tight match and the Lions will do anything they have to extend this dream run. If I had to pick one of the two, I'd put my money on Millwall to pull off another upset.
