FA Cup Fifth Round Takes Shape as Arsenal, Fulham, Leeds and Others Advance

Five more clubs confirmed their places in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, as drama, narrow victories, and dominant performances highlighted another exciting day in England’s oldest cup competition.

Leeds United survived a tense encounter against Birmingham City, progressing via penalties after a 1–1 draw that lasted 120 minutes. Lukas Nmecha had given Birmingham the lead before a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser forced extra time, eventually sending the tie to a shootout.

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a narrow 1–0 win away at Grimsby Town, with Santiago Bueno scoring the decisive goal in the second half.

Elsewhere, Sunderland A.F.C. edged past Oxford United 1–0, while Fulham F.C. claimed a 2–1 victory over Stoke City to book their place in the next round.

The standout performance of the day came at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal F.C. delivered a commanding 4–0 win against Wigan Athletic, underlining their intent to compete seriously for silverware this season.

The five teams join an already impressive list of qualifiers including Wrexham A.F.C., Chelsea F.C., Manchester City F.C., West Ham United F.C., Newcastle United F.C., Southampton F.C., Mansfield Town F.C., Norwich City F.C. and Liverpool F.C. in the draw for the fifth round.

Opinion: The Magic of the FA Cup Is Still Alive — And Bigger Clubs Should Be Worried

What Sunday’s results showed once again is why the FA Cup remains one of football’s most beloved competitions. It is unpredictable, emotional, and often unforgiving — even for bigger teams.

Leeds needing penalties, Wolves grinding out a narrow win, and Fulham battling past Stoke all highlight a crucial truth: reputation means very little once the whistle blows in knockout football. Lower-ranked teams play with nothing to lose, and that mindset can be dangerous.

Arsenal’s dominant victory, however, sends a strong message. When top teams combine quality with seriousness in cup competitions, they become very difficult to stop. The Gunners appear determined not to treat the FA Cup as a distraction but as a genuine opportunity for silverware.

Perhaps the most exciting part is the diversity of teams still involved — from Premier League giants to smaller clubs dreaming of history. That mix is the heartbeat of the FA Cup.

As the competition moves into the fifth round, one thing is certain: surprises are coming. And fans wouldn’t want it any other way.