Port Vale, Southampton, Leeds United Make FA Cup Quarter-Finals

Port Vale FC, Southampton FC and Leeds United booked their places in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after notable fifth-round victories on Sunday.

The biggest shock came at Vale Park, where League One strugglers, Port Vale stunned Sunderland AFC 1–0.

Sunderland started brightly and nearly took the lead in the fourth minute when Eliezer Mayenda’s header struck the post. However, Port Vale capitalised on their opportunity in the 28th minute as Ben Waine rose to head home from Ethon Archer’s cross.

Sunderland pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, with Mayenda and Enzo Le Fée both going close, but Port Vale held firm to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time since the 1953–54 season.

At Craven Cottage, Southampton secured a dramatic 1–0 win over Fulham FC thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from substitute Ross Stewart.

Fulham had earlier seen two goals ruled out first when Rodrigo Muniz’s effort was disallowed because the ball was still moving when Daniel Peretz took a goal-kick, and later when Timothy Castagne’s strike was chalked off for offside.

Southampton eventually capitalised in the 91st minute after Finn Azaz was fouled in the penalty area, with Stewart calmly converting the spot-kick.

Meanwhile, Leeds United cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Norwich City FC at Elland Road.

Sean Longstaff opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after being set up by Gabriel Gudmundsson, who then doubled Leeds’ advantage just before half-time. Norwich improved after the break and came close when substitute Anis Ben Slimane struck the woodwork, but Leeds sealed the win later on as Joel Piroe finished a swift counter-attack.

The victories see Port Vale, Southampton and Leeds United join the growing list of teams advancing to the FA Cup quarter-finals.