In a surprising turn of events in the FA Cup quarter-finals, second-tier Southampton triumphed over Premier League leaders Arsenal, defeating them 2-1 in a gripping match on Sunday morning (AEST). This outcome came on the heels of Manchester City’s dominant 4-0 victory over Liverpool, propelled by a stunning hat-trick from Erling Haaland. Arsenal, fresh from a loss in the English League Cup final to City, witnessed another promising trophy slip away when Southampton scored the winning goal in the 85th minute, leaving Arsenal’s hopes dashed.
This loss solidifies Manchester City as the frontrunners for a potential cup double this season, securing their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year. With a series of impressive performances, Haaland’s 18-minute hat-trick began with a penalty just before halftime, followed by a goal from a well-placed header and a third that hit the crossbar before finding the net. Teammate Antoine Semenyo also contributed to City’s win with a goal, ensuring their return to Wembley Stadium, just two weeks after their League Cup triumph against Arsenal.
Liverpool’s woes were compounded by Mohamed Salah’s missed penalty, contributing to the club’s struggles as they faced mounting pressure on manager Arne Slot. Salah, who recently announced his impending departure from the club after a successful tenure, found himself unable to score, as City goalkeeper James Trafford thwarted his efforts. The defeat marked City’s record 18th straight home FA Cup win, a streak dating back to 2017.
City’s manager Pep Guardiola was absent due to suspension, leaving assistant Pep Lijnders to lead the team. Haaland emphasized the club’s need to win trophies, reflecting the high expectations at Manchester City. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai acknowledged the team’s lack of fighting spirit during the devastating match, calling for unity in these challenging times.
In another quarter-final match, Chelsea showcased their prowess by demolishing Port Vale 7-0 at Stamford Bridge, despite missing star midfielder Enzo Fernandez due to disciplinary reasons. With this strong performance, Chelsea reaffirmed their historical dominance in the FA Cup, having lifted the trophy eight times, the last being in 2018.