Match reports
Catch up with all tonight’s FA Cup action right here …
And here’s Jürgen Klopp: “In the first half, our midfield press wasn’t right. Southampton had big chances, we needed Kelleher to save us. It was intense, the boys ran themselves into the ground, but we scored a lovely goal and then the second half was much better.
“We deserve to go through, it was a top performance after [the goal]. Lewis is a great finisher, Dannsy was exceptional, really calm, in the right spot. We have far too many games, not enough players but there is a fantastic atmosphere around the training ground.”
Peter Lansley was at Molineux to see Wolves book their quarter-final place.
A reminder of the quarter-final draw, now the dust has settled on the fifth-round action.
Wolves v Coventry
Manchester United v Liverpool
Chelsea v Leicester
Manchester City v Newcastle
Ties to be played on the weekend of 16-17 March.
Erik ten Hag talks to the BBC: “We had big chances, but we also allowed them to have chances. Today, we found a way to win.”
He bristles slightly at mention of his side’s inconsistency. “We lost one time in 2024 – we are consistent.” On facing Liverpool next, he says: “Fantastic. Every game is important. 24 hours, and we’ll focus on the derby.”
Here’s Will Unwin’s verdict from the City Ground.
Jayden Danns talks to ITV: “It’s a dream come true, I’ve supported Liverpool since birth, so to score in front of the Kop … I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight! I was happy with one but to get a second one, I lost my composure, I was sliding all over the place.” Lovely stuff.
Full time: Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
All over at Anfield, with Jayden Danns’ second-half double securing a memorable win for Jürgen Klopp’s youthful side.
Here’s our match report from Stamford Bridge:
Into stoppage time at Anfield, where Southampton will wonder how they’ve ended up 3-0 down in what’s been a close contest. The answer, basically, is finishing – Liverpool’s youngsters had the cooler heads when it mattered.
“I’m very happy, we worked hard and got the reward,” says André Onana after United’s win. “He’s a clever player,” adds Victor Lindelöf on Casemiro’s late winner, and he doesn’t want to look ahead to Liverpool yet: “We’ll take one game at a time, happy to get the win here.”
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Southampton (Danns 88')
Jayden Danns caps a superb appearance off the bench, reacting quickly after Bradley’s shot was parried and firing home from six yards!
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Full time: Wolves 1-0 Brighton
An uneventful second half almost gets a spectacular finish as a last-gasp corner lands at the feet of Jason Steele – but the keeper sends his shot wide, and that’s that. Wolves advance to the quarter-finals!
Full time: Nottm Forest 0-1 Man Utd
No, they won’t. The final whistle blows and United scrape through, Casemiro playing the Mark Robins role with his late header from Bruno Fernandes’ free kick. Next: a quarter-final against (probably) Liverpool!
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There’s a check for a red card against Forest’s Felipe, who put his hand up to Fernandes’ neck. No further action taken, somewhat surprisingly. Forest may get one more chance …
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Jayden Danns almost gets his second of the game, pouncing on a poor back pass but just unable to get a shot away under pressure.
We’re five minutes into stoppage time at the City Ground, but much of that was spent perusing VAR screenshots – so a couple more minutes to play at least.
Brighton are running out of time at Wolves, where the host still lead through Mario Lemina’s second-minute goal. Into injury time there …
So, as it stands, the Manchester United v Liverpool quarter-final is on!
We’ve just had a very long VAR check for the Casemiro goal, possibly because Varane (who wasn’t involved in the goal) was standing offside – perhaps to check Casemiro’s starting position with a microscope. It seemed clear to me from one replay that the goal would stand.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Southampton (Danns 75')
Liverpool are heading to the quarter-finals! Elliot slips a lovely through ball to Jayden Danns, who lifts it over Lumley to double the lead for Klopp’s Kids.
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GOAL! Nottm Forest 0-1 Man Utd (Casemiro 89')
He does whip it towards the near post – and Casemiro times his run to head it through Turner’s legs! Behind the goal, the away end is a sea of limbs.
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Elanga concedes a cheap free kick, and Fernandes has the chance to whip a ball in from out on the left flank …
Full time! Chelsea 3-2 Leeds
Conor Gallagher’s late winner books a quarter-final meeting with Leicester, and earns Pochettino a welcome win.
Onana leaps to turn a fierce shot from Gibbs-White over the bar … but the Forest man is flagged offside.
Back at Anfield, Konaté is in the right place again to cut out Edozie’s cross, with Joe Rothwell lurking behind him. The corner lands at Shea Charles’ feet, but the unmarked midfielder panics and slaps his shot into the side netting.
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Casemiro goes close-ish with a curling effort from McTominay’s lay-off. It’s United who look more likely to score before extra-time …
“Interesting that so many of these kids have ... Been a Son of a footballer,” notes Peter Oh. Well played.
“You promised me goals tonight,” Alan Shearer mutters to Steve Bower as we enter the final 10 minutes. Suddenly, Rashford has space on the left … but blazes his shot over the bar!
GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Leeds (Gallagher 90')
Maybe Conor Gallagher will prove to be Mauricio Pochettino’s Mark Robins. He’s just scored what is surely the winner against Leeds!
Jeison Murillo sends a low shot at Onana from 30 yards. It’s on target, I’ll say that. At Anfield, goalscorer Koumas goes off, along with McConnell. Alexis Mac Allister and Jayden Danns come on.
Diallo gets a glimpse at goal when Garnacho’s deflected shot loops into his path, but it’s awkward for him and he mishits his attempted volley.
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Julio Enciso, who is returning from a serious knee injury, is on for Brighton and immediately put on the deck by Pablo Sarabia. It’s still Wolves 1-0 Brighton; there have been no second-half goals in the later trio of games.
Antony is off, replaced by Amad Diallo. It was, of course, a 1-0 win at Forest in the Cup that salvaged Alex Ferguson’s United career. Erik ten Hag could really use a similar season-changing winner.
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Antony tees up Fernandes, whose shot is well placed, but sadly hit at about 30% of the power required to beat Matt Turner.
Another footballer’s son in action tonight of course, at Anfield. “Bobby Clark is Lee Clark’s son,” notes Matthew Guite.
Gakpo fires wide as Liverpool look for the comfort of a two-goal cushion. Chelsea-Leeds, meanwhile, is still level with extra time looming …
United have woken up from their early second-half slumber, with Fernandes’ shot deflected just wide of the post … by Scott McTominay!
Back at Anfield, the ever-dangerous Suleymana sends in a cross towards Mara – and Konaté gets a vital touch to deny the Southampton striker a tap-in!
What’s happening at Molineux, you ask? Well, Brighton are camped in the Wolves half but not making anything happen – and suddenly Pedro Neto is away on the break! He shapes to shoot, but takes a touch too long and his effort is blocked by Igor.
Back under way at Anfield. At the City Ground, Bruno Fernandes whips a shot with the outside of his boot, but it’s high and wide.
“How many footballers’ sons are currently togging out for Premier league clubs? Danns, Koumas, Kluivert, Haaland – any more?” There’s one on the Forest bench tonight, Niall Mullen: Gio Reyna, son of former Manchester City midfielder Claudio.
Antony moves in from the right and shoots straight at Turner. United come forward again and Rashford goes down in a penalty-area tangle with Felipe and Murillo. Big shouts from the away end, but no penalty. Howard Webb and Forest’s new “referee analyst”, Mark Clattenburg, are in the crowd tonight.
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Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
Liverpool’s youthful line-up presented several chances to Southampton, but the visitors were punished for not taking one when Lewis Koumas fired the hosts in front just before the break.
Peter Oh is celebrating Liverpool’s Teen Spirit in style. “Koumas, you are … a beauty!”
Now it’s Forest who are spurning too many chances, with Divock Origi shooting straight at Onana. United have made a sluggish start to this second half.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Leeds (Joseph 59')
It’s Leeds, and it’s Mateo Joseph with his second goal of the match. Game very much on at the Bridge!
At Molineux, Danny Welbeck is on for Peupion as Roberto De Zerbi seeks an equaliser. I’ll tell you who has got an equaliser …
We’re back under way at the City Ground and Forest are back at it. Awoniyi shoots, Onana parries and Dalot – who was playing the striker onside – gets back to hack the rebound clear.
Koumas Jr – yes, he’s the son of Jason Koumas – collects a pass on the turn, cuts inside and sends a low shot inside the near post! Lumley was on his heels, so it looked like a deflection – but that’s just a very, very good finish.
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GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Southampton (Koumas 44')
But now the hosts do take the lead – and what a moment for Lewis Koumas!
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At Anfield, Suleymana draws a save from Kelleher, before Harvey Elliott tests Saints keeper Joe Lumley with a fabulous effort.
“Re: all the talk about the average age of Liverpool,” writes Espen B. “As I’m watching their players constantly get muscled off the ball, fairly I might add, I’m more interested in the average weight. Half the team looks like I could just pick them up and carry them off the pitch.”
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Lemina sends an optimistic scissor-kick wide as Wolves make a late push for a second goal in first-half stoppage time. Brighton respond quickly, Simon Adingra bending his shot wide from a tight angle.
Suleymana tests the hamstrings of the Liverpool back line with another surge upfield, before Bobby Clark slips when shooting at the other end, sending his effort skidding wide.
Half time: Nottm Forest 0-0 Man Utd
A high-tempo but low-quality first half ends goalless, with United spurning the better chances early in the game.
Awoniyi then spoons a shot miles off target from Elanga’s awkward cutback. Everyone involved in this game could do with just taking a breath, or at least an extra touch.
Gibbs-White gets a rare chance to run at the United defence, but Elanga and Awoniyi get in each other’s way. It’s worked back to Nico Williams, who lashes a shot just beyond the top corner.
Half time: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
Leeds went ahead early on but the hosts have fought back to lead at the break. The winner will face Leicester at home in the quarter-finals.
How’s Marcus Rashford getting on? Well, he’s just been muscled off the ball in fairly indifferent fashion.
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Back at Anfield, and Southampton almost get caught playing out from the back – but Gakpo can’t get his shot away before he’s closed down.
At Molineux, a Brighton shot hits Max Kilman on the arm, but said limb is firmly by his side. They have a corner, but do nothing with it.
And another chance for Southampton, with Joe Rothwell cutting inside and curling his shot just wide of the far post. A really impressive start by Russell Martin’s side, but they need to take a chance at some point.
Another chance for McTominay, this time a near-post flicked header that Turner has to push round the post. From the corner, he tries an acrobatic effort that loops onto the roof of the net.
At Molineux, Jason Steele gets out quickly to tackle Bellegarde from a poor back-pass; he had to get the timing right. At Anfield, Liverpool are beginning to settle, with Joe Gomez sending a shot over the bar.
Garnacho makes a nuisance of himself, cutting inside and getting hauled down by Origi. Fernandes has the chance to lift in a free kick – but sends it straight into Matt Turner’s arms.
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Brighton have had 72% of the ball at Molineux, but crucially, 0% of the goals. At Anfield, Kelleher again denies Mara at close range, although replays show the striker was offside.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Leeds (Mudryk 37')
Chelsea turn it around at the Bridge, with Mykhailo Mudryk sweeping home.
Southampton are going for it at Anfield, with Suleymana hitting the post and Mara bringing a big save out of Kelleher in the opening minutes.
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Back to Molineux, where Wolves still lead 1-0 in what’s been a scrappy game, peppered with fouls. Mario Lemina and Brighton’s Buonanotte have both taken knocks, while Santiago Bueno made a hash of an effort from Tommy Doyle’s free kick.
Chances at both ends at the City Ground, where Marcus Rashford blasts over before Taiwo Awoniyi tests André Onana with a shot across goal that’s parried away.
Sékou Mara has the ball in the net for Southampton inside 30 seconds … but the flag goes up, and replays show he is a good couple of yards offside.
As I type that, Origi slips the ball beyond Amrabat, where Awoniyi shoots from a narrow angle. It’s blocked behind for a corner, which United deal with at the second attempt.
We’re about to get under way at Anfield, which means I now have three FA Cup ties on simultaneously. My Cup overfloweth, indeed. Forest are pushing United back, but lack a cutting edge to go with their attacking endeavour.
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Antony tracks back to dispossess Toffolo, at the expense of a corner. Gibbs-White’s delivery flies over everyone, though.
At the City Ground, Antony hits the bar from the edge of the area – and now McTominay heads straight at Turner! A positive start from the visitors …
GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Brighton (Lemina 2')
Wolves lead early at Molineux! Mario Lemina sweeps home the rebound from a horizontal position after Jason Steele spilled Bellegarde’s cross.
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GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Leeds (Jackson 15')
Nicolas Jackson quickly levels up for Chelsea.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Leeds (Joseph 9')
It’s Leeds who lead at Stamford Bridge! Mateo Joseph has pounced on a risible defensive error, and Chelsea are right in it.
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“After reaching League Cup Nirvana, I’m not surprised that today’s Liverpool midfield strongly Smells Like Teen Spirit,” growls Peter Oh.
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Back to Nottingham, and Nuno Espírito Santo: “They have to focus on the game. We didn’t play so well at Villa, so we have made some adjustments. [That] was a good lesson for us, we cannot start like we did. The plan is to start much better here.”
And now Erik ten Hag, who says Fernandes and Varane “have fought to be available for this game.” The United manager adds: “We want to win every competition – this is the last opportunity for a trophy this season. Four wins, to claim a trophy. We expect the players to be highly motivated, and to play with passion and desire.”
It’s a battle between teams who should be Giving the Cup a Real Go at Molineux, where both managers have shuffled their starting line-ups. Gary O’Neil brings in Matt Doherty, Santiago Bueno, Tommy Doyle and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, while Roberto De Zerbi calls on Ansu Fati, Pervis Estupiñan, Jakub Moder and keeper Jason Steele. Australian midfielder Cameron Peupion, the latest addition to Brighton’s collection of great names, makes his first start for the Seagulls.
Wolves v Brighton team news
Wolves (3-4-3): José Sa; Kilman, Santiago Bueno, Tito Gomes; Doherty, João Gomes, Lemina, Aït Nouri; Doyle, Hwang, Bellegarde.
Substitutes: Traoré, Pedro Neto, Dawson, Hugo Bueno, Sarabia, Semedo, Bentley, Chirewa, Fraser.
Brighton (3-4-3): Steele; van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Moder, Peupion, Gross, Estupiñán; Buonanotte, Adingra, Fati.
Substitutes: Barco, Verbruggen, Webster, Enciso, Lallana, Welbeck, Baleba, Baker-Boaitey, Offiah.
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
It’s Kindergarten Klopp II tonight at Anfield, with Bobby Clark, Jarell Quansah and James McConnell – who all came off the bench at Wembley – starting along with Lewis Koumas, an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup final. Russell Martin has also heavily rotated, with only three of the XI that lost at home to Millwall on Saturday starting here.
Liverpool v Southampton team news
Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Bradley, Clark, McConnell; Elliott, Gakpo, Koumas.
Substitutes: Adrian, Konaté, Diaz, Mac Allister, Scanlon, Gordon, Danns, Nyoni, Nallo.
Southampton (4-3-3): Lumley; Bree, Stephens, Bednarek, Manning; Aribo, Rothwell, Charles; Edozie, Mara, Sulemana.
Substitutes: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Adam Armstrong, Adams, Smallbone, Harwood-Bellis, Amo-Ameyaw, Meghoma, Dibling.
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
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It’s a 7.45pm kick-off at the City Ground, where both teams have plenty of injury worries – although Bruno Fernandes and Raphaël Varane are fit to start for United. Erik ten Hag also gives Antony a chance to impress, but that back four could be exposed by the pace at Forest’s disposal, with Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi both starting after shaking off injuries.
Forest v Man Utd team news
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Turner; Williams, Felipe, Murillo, Toffolo; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Origi; Awoniyi.
Substitutes: Vlachodimos, Kouyaté, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Niakhate, Reyna, Omobamidele, Duarte Ribeiro, Gardner.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelöf, Amrabat; Casemiro, McTominay; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford.
Subs: Bayindir, Eriksen, Diallo, Evans, Mainoo, Kambwala, Forson, Collyer, Ogunneye.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)
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An intriguing draw, even with only one tie confirmed at this stage in Manchester City v Newcastle. The romance of the Cup! If United and Liverpool get through tonight, they’ll meet at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals. A shame for Coventry and Leicester that they landed away ties, but they’ve also got a navigable path to Wembley in front of them.
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
Wolves or Brighton v Coventry City
Nottingham Forest or Manchester United v Liverpool or Southampton
Chelsea or Leeds v Leicester City
Manchester City v Newcastle United
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Manchester City v Newcastle. Oh Eddie!
Chelsea or Leeds v Leicester City … which leaves …
Nottingham Forest or Manchester United v Liverpool or Southampton!
The first tie picked out is … Wolves or Brighton v Coventry.
Team news from our other games coming up, but first – the quarter-final draw!
The team sheets are in at Stamford Bridge – join Scott Murray for live coverage of Chelsea v Leeds …
Ball numbers
1 Newcastle United
2 Chelsea or Leeds United
3 Leicester City
4 Liverpool or Southampton
5 Nottingham Forest or Manchester United
6 Wolves or Brighton
7 Coventry City
8 Manchester City
The draw is live on ITV4 at 7pm (GMT) in the UK.
Preamble
Much like the BBC’s protein-fuelled reboot of Gladiators, the midweek FA Cup fifth round is something nobody asked for – but we can’t deny it’s been entertaining. Just like everyone has a favourite Gladiator (Legend/Nitro, since you ask), we all have a preferred round of the Cup and this one is mine. It used to have its own weekend, and replays to crank up the tension with Wembley on the horizon. No longer, but the prospect of a guaranteed outcome under the lights made for a great spectacle as Newcastle edged past Blackburn on penalties last night.
Will we see more thrills across Wednesday’s final four games? Scott Murray is on hand for a great FA Cup fixture in Chelsea v Leeds, while I’m watching Nottingham Forest v Manchester United, Wolves v Brighton and Liverpool v Southampton. In another unwelcome twist, the teams will know their potential quarter-final opponents before they kick off, with the draw taking place at 7pm (GMT). We’ll cover that here, with the Cities of Coventry, Leicester and Manchester joining Newcastle in the velvet bag.
