Third-tier Port Vale stunned Premier League Sunderland, while Championship side Southampton upset Fulham to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
PORT VALE produced one of the great FA Cup upsets by eliminating Premier League Sunderland, while Southampton stunned Fulham in a day of shocks.
Ben Waine, a boyhood Newcastle United fan, headed a 28th-minute winner for the third-tier strugglers. His goal capitalised on poor marking and sent Port Vale into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.
The victory delighted the club’s president, pop star Robbie Williams, who grew up near their Vale Park stadium. Manager Jon Brady, who replaced Darren Moore in January, hailed a historic moment for his side.
“I’m trying to let it sink in at the moment. It was tremendous from the boys, we had to suffer at times,” Brady said. “It’s nice to create history, isn’t it!”
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris denied his team were complacent. “I don’t think we were complacent. We went strong with the ambition to win, with the knowledge that it was a tough challenge. Full credit to them,” he said.
At Craven Cottage, Ross Stewart’s stoppage-time penalty sealed a 1-0 win for Southampton. The Championship side won it after Finn Azaz was fouled by Fulham defender Joachim Andersen.
Fulham manager Marco Silva made nine changes following a midweek league defeat. His selection gamble backfired as his side were eliminated.
Southampton’s players wore a yellow commemorative kit marking 50 years since their famous 1976 FA Cup final win. Manager Tonda Eckert acknowledged the significance of the club’s cup tradition.
“You see how much it means to the club,” Eckert said. “You can definitely say we feel the importance of it.”
Elsewhere, Premier League strugglers Leeds United beat Norwich City 3-0 to reach their first quarter-final since 2003. Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Joel Piroe scored the goals at Elland Road.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke made nine changes against his former club. His decision paid off as his side secured a comfortable victory.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool had already booked their quarter-final places earlier in the weekend.
