The FA Cup Fifth Round took center stage in England this past weekend. Nine clubs of the final 16 were from leagues below the Premier League, with the tie of the weekend focused on Newport, Wales.
However, there was very little magic to be found in the results, just quality winning out. Manchester United and Chelsea squared off in the final tie of the round on Monday night. Two first half goals by United saw Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side defeat Chelsea on the road.
League Two's Newport County represented the fourth tier proudly, holding Manchester City scoreless for the first half before falling 4-1 to a series of late goals. In fact, every side that entered the weekend higher in the English pyramid won the ties. Brentford looked one of the more likely to pull off the upset, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime over fellow Championship side Swansea City, only to give up four in the second half.
FA Cup Fifth Round Results
- Watford 1-0 QPR
- Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Derby County
- Millwall 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
- Manchester City 4-1 Newport County
- Wolverhampton Wanders 1-0 Bristol City
- Crystal Palace 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
- Swansea City 4-1 Brentford
- Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea
Manchester City's Phil Foden is now the competition's leading active scorer on three after Padraig Amond's Newport County was seen out. Amond led the Cup with five.
FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw
Following the Manchester United's win at Stamford Bridge, the draw for the quarterfinals was held.
- Manchester City vs. Swansea City
- Crystal Palace vs. Watford
- Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Millwall
The Manchester sides avoid each other for another round, setting up a potential showdown at Wembley down the line. Manchester United is vying for its 13th FA Cup trophy, which would tie them with Arsenal for the most ever. United and Arsenal have both appeared in 20 FA Cup finals. The quarterfinal matches will be played on the weekend of March 16th. The Premier League will resume playing during FA Cup weekends from this stage forward.
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