FA Cup – Arsenal Cruise Into Last 16 With Dominant Display
FA Cup – Arsenal delivered a commanding performance to secure a 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic and book their place in the FA Cup last 16, underlining the gap in quality between the Premier League contenders and their League One opponents.
The London side took control early at the Emirates Stadium, ending any hopes of a cup upset within the opening half hour. It was a stark contrast to the clubs’ dramatic semifinal meeting in the same competition 12 years ago, which had been decided by penalties.
Arsenal Set the Tone Early
Mikel Arteta’s team wasted little time asserting themselves. Noni Madueke opened the scoring before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage. Gabriel Jesus soon added a third, and an own goal from the visitors effectively sealed the contest before halftime.
With the outcome beyond doubt, Arsenal eased their tempo after the break, conserving energy while maintaining control. The comfortable win ensures their progression into the fifth round without unnecessary strain.
Leeds Survive Late Scare
Elsewhere, Leeds United endured a far sterner examination against Birmingham City. Lukas Nmecha gave Birmingham the lead early in the second half, and it appeared that the Championship side might pull off a surprise.
However, Patrick Roberts struck in the 89th minute to level the score, forcing the match into penalties. Leeds held their nerve from the spot to advance, avoiding an early exit.
Narrow Wins and Away Triumphs
Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at League Two side Grimsby Town. Santiago Bueno’s goal just after the hour mark proved decisive on a difficult playing surface at Blundell Park.
Sunderland progressed thanks to Habib Diarra’s composed first-half penalty against Oxford United. Fulham, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat Stoke City 2-1. After Bae Jun-ho had given Stoke the lead, second-half strikes from Kevin and Harrison Reed turned the match around.
Saturday Matches Produce Mixed Fortunes
Manchester City moved smoothly into the next round with a 2-0 win over Salford City. An own goal set the tone before Marc Guehi added a late finish to confirm the result.
Newcastle United recovered from a challenging first half to beat Aston Villa 3-1 away from home. Sandro Tonali netted twice in a strong second-half display, although the match drew attention for several contentious refereeing decisions.
Liverpool also advanced comfortably, defeating Brighton 3-0. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai found the net before Mohamed Salah converted a penalty to complete the scoring.
Cup Upsets and Extra-Time Drama
One of the standout results came from Mansfield Town, who stunned Premier League side Burnley with a 2-1 victory. Lewis Reed’s remarkable free kick proved pivotal in a performance that will be remembered as one of the round’s major surprises.
West Ham United required extra time to overcome Burton Albion. Crysencio Summerville struck in the 96th minute to finally separate the sides after a tightly contested encounter.
Norwich City claimed a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, while Southampton edged Leicester City 2-1 following extra time in another closely fought tie.
Friday Night Action
The weekend’s action began on Friday with Chelsea recording a 4-0 away win against Hull City. Pedro Neto’s hat-trick ensured a straightforward evening for the visitors.
Wrexham also progressed after defeating Ipswich Town 1-0 in an all-Championship meeting, adding further intrigue to this season’s competition.
With several top-flight clubs advancing and a handful of lower-league teams making headlines, the FA Cup continues to deliver compelling storylines as the fifth round approaches.