BURSLEM, England - Third-tier strugglers Port Vale achieved a significant FA Cup upset, defeating Premier League Sunderland 1-0 to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. Ben Waine's 28th-minute goal secured the victory for Port Vale, who are currently battling relegation from League One.
In another surprise, second-tier Southampton eliminated Premier League Fulham with a 1-0 win. Substitute Ross Stewart converted a late penalty for Southampton after Finn Azaz was fouled. The goal secured Southampton's place in the quarter-finals, marking them as the first non-Premier League club to reach this stage this season.
Sunderland, positioned mid-table in the Premier League, appeared uninspired against a determined Port Vale side playing on a challenging pitch. Waine's decisive header came from a corner that Sunderland failed to clear. Despite late pressure, Port Vale held on for a deserved win.
Waine, a 24-year-old New Zealand international, also scored the winning goal in a recent tie against Bristol City. He commented on the team's resilience, stating, "We dug in so hard and I think we deserved it. We played to the conditions. We defended for our lives."
Southampton, a former winner of the competition, returns to the quarter-finals after a strong performance against a lackluster Fulham. Even before the stoppage-time penalty, Southampton's goalkeeper was forced into several key saves.
Port Vale and Southampton join a strong contingent of clubs already in the quarter-finals, including Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. The fifth round's remaining matches include Leeds United vs. Norwich City on Sunday, and West Ham United vs. Brentford on Monday.