Only four Premier League sides, Manchester City, Manchester United, Brighton and Fulham remain in the hunt for the FA Cup, alongside EFL outfits Burnley, Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers and League Two dark horses Grimsby Town. The FA Cup’s quarterfinals draw was held on Wednesday after the round of 16 concluded with some exciting fixtures.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley travel to his former club Manchester City which indeed headlines the FA Cup quarterfinals’ ties. Marco Silva’s Fulham will play at Manchester United and in an all-Championship match, Sheffield United will welcome Blackburn Rovers while Brighton will host League Two’s Grimsby Town.
FA Cup quarterfinals fixtures in full
Grimsby Town provided the shocker of the round of 16 knocking out Premier League giants Southampton 2-1. Prior to Duje Caleta-goal Car’s for the Saints, Gavin Holohan had scored twice on penalties to give the fourth-tier team a two-goal lead. Sheffield United also achieved a fantastic outcome, defeating helpless Spurs 1-0 at Bramall Lane thanks to a goal from Iliman Ndiaye in the 79th minute.
The defeat means Tottenham will now go without winning a trophy for a 14th straight season. Their last piece of silverware came in 2008 when they lifted the League Cup by beating Chelsea in the final. Meanwhile, a Manchester United comeback was sparked by Alejandro Garnacho and Fred who scored late goals to defeat West Ham 3-1 at home.
Burnley, the current Championship leaders, defeated 10-man Fleetwood 1-0, thanks to Connor Roberts’ goal in the final minute. Despite the boisterous Ashton Gate crowd, reigning Premier League winners Manchester City easily toppled Bristol City 3-0 the night before to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
Nigel Pearson’s men fell to Phil Foden’s double and Kevin De Bruyne’s spectacular goal. Elsewhere, Blackburn caused another upset as they stunned Leicester City with a 2-1 victory at the King Power Stadium with goals from Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics, with Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal serving as a consolation.
Meanwhile, Brighton won 1-0 against Championship side Stoke City with the help of a goal in the 30th minute from the talented youngster Evan Ferguson. At Craven Cottage, goals from Fulham’s outstanding summer acquisitions Joao Palhinha and David Solomon helped the team defeat Leeds 2-0. The dates for the FA Cup quarterfinal ties are March 17–20.
FA Cup quarter-final draw
Manchester City v Burnley
Manchester United v Fulham
Brighton & Hove Albion v Grimsby Town
Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers