The 2026 FA Cup continues to deliver dramatic twists, with Southampton and Port Vale adding their names to the list of giant-killers this weekend. Championship side Southampton stunned Premier League outfit Fulham with a late penalty, while League One’s Port Vale secured a historic victory over Sunderland, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954. These results follow earlier upsets in the competition, including sixth-tier Macclesfield’s elimination of defending champions Crystal Palace – officially the biggest shock in FA Cup history.
Port Vale’s improbable run is particularly noteworthy. Currently bottom of League One, the West Midlands club is 57 places below their Premier League opponents, Sunderland. Yet, a first-half header from Ben Waine proved decisive, with a resolute defensive performance holding off Sunderland’s late pressure. The victory sends Port Vale into the last eight alongside Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
“Probably hasn’t sunk in really. I’m in a little bit of shock about that result today,” Port Vale manager Jon Brady told TNT Sports. “Not that I didn’t believe we could do it, but you require a lot of things going your way.” Brady’s side had previously overcome Championship opposition, defeating Bristol City five days earlier, with Waine again scoring the winning goal. The forward described the team’s approach as sticking to the “game plan – as simple as that.”
Waine’s goal, a looping header in the 28th minute, sparked jubilant scenes at Vale Park. The Modern Zealand international celebrated with a gesture reminiscent of Alan Shearer, a nod to his own support for Newcastle United. Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci was also instrumental in securing the win, making a series of crucial saves to deny Sunderland’s attempts to equalize.
The FA Cup draw for the quarterfinals will be held on Monday, determining Port Vale’s next opponent. Their journey represents a remarkable underdog story, particularly given their proximity to Macclesfield – the team responsible for the competition’s biggest upset earlier in the season. The success of both Port Vale and Southampton underscores the unique magic of the FA Cup, where the possibility of a shock result always looms large.
Drama Late for Southampton
At Craven Cottage, Southampton secured their place in the quarterfinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Fulham, courtesy of a 91st-minute penalty converted by Ross Stewart. The match appeared headed for extra time when Fulham’s Joachim Andersen fouled Finn Azaz inside the penalty area in the dying moments of regulation time. Stewart stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick, sending Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte the wrong way.
Fulham manager Marco Silva’s decision to create nine changes to his starting lineup proved costly, with key players like Raúl Jiménez, Antonee Robinson, and Alex Iwobi left on the bench. The result extends Southampton’s impressive resurgence under manager Tonda Eckert, who has revitalized the club since taking charge in November.
Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, were struggling in the Championship when Will Still was dismissed. Eckert’s arrival sparked a turnaround in form, propelling the club into contention for a playoff spot. “in the 90 minutes it’s deserved that we go through to the next round,” Eckert told the BBC. “We just need to employ this game as fuel for the upcoming matches.”
Leeds Advance
Leeds United also progressed to the quarterfinals, defeating Norwich City 3-0 at Elland Road. The victory was a familiar occasion for Leeds manager Daniel Farke, who previously led Norwich to two promotions to the Premier League. Sean Longstaff and Gabriel Gudmundsson scored in the first half to offer Leeds control, with Joel Piroe adding a third goal in the 85th minute.
The final fifth-round tie sees West Ham United face Brentford on Monday, completing the lineup for the FA Cup quarterfinals. The competition continues to provide compelling narratives and unexpected results, captivating football fans across the globe.
The draw on Monday will reveal the path to Wembley for the remaining eight teams, with Port Vale’s continued presence adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament. For a team battling relegation in League One, the prospect of lifting the FA Cup trophy represents a dream scenario, and their journey so far has been nothing short of remarkable.
The FA Cup quarterfinals promise more excitement and potential upsets as the competition enters its final stages. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the draw to see which teams will clash in the battle for a place in the semi-finals.
