The FA Cup needs a new name on the trophy: Step forward, Bournemouth
The FA Cup desperately needs new names on the trophy and no club looks better equipped to win it for the first time than Bournemouth.
They have the attacking weapons in a much-coveted goalscorer such as Antoine Semenyo, and they demonstrated in their Goodison Park victory how to mix attractive football with defensive resilience, different characteristics required in each half along with the occasional slice of old-fashioned luck.
Perhaps most encouragingly, in Andoni Iraola they have a manager who is not inclined to completely overhaul his team selection for the cup because he is prioritising the riches of Champions League qualification.
Cold, hard economics have been the FA Cup’s Achilles heel over the last three decades. Too many mid-table Premier League and championship clubs have stopped valuing progressing in or winning the FA Cup above staying up or getting promoted.
That made the choices of both Iraola and David Moyes an encouraging break with one of the FA Cup’s least welcome recent traditions, both focusing on the chance to get closer to Wembley above imminent and more financially consequential league games.
Bournemouth secured a not-so-eye watering £120,000 for reaching the 5th round with their 2-0 victory thanks to Semenyo’s and Daniel Jebbison’s first half goals, which is a fortune to those at the bottom of the pyramid but small change nearer the top.
Winning the FA Cup earns £2 million. Bournemouth will collect in excess of £40 million if they preserve their current position of 7th in the Premier League, so could be forgiven for considering a cup run a distraction. Many in their position have.
That’s why so much of the competition’s lustre diminishes once the non-league and lower league clubs make their exit, having seized or lost the chance to collect their dividends.
The longer the FA Cup goes on, the more it can feel like being late to a party where the most exciting part of the night is over, and the organiser is frantically ordering everyone to keep enjoying themselves. What’s left of the beer is flat, the best tunes are golden oldies, and the balloons of the most excited revellers have burst, their chance to cherish a visit to a plush venue gone for another year.
As you’re dragged back to the dancefloor under orders to keep feeling romantic, the DJ attempts to liven the atmosphere by counting down the top ten hits from the week Hereford United’s Ronnie Radford knocked out Newcastle United.
Soon enough, you look around and it is the same old faces propping up the bar, the search for magic more elusive than the hunt for El Dorado.
Look at the list of FA Cup winners since 1989 and try to argue any differently. No amount of trying to crowbar Mickey Thomas’ winner for Wrexham against Arsenal into every cup preview will bring back the halcyon days between 1970-1981 when there were nine different FA Cup winners.
The Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have won 30 of the last 35 finals, despite giving many of their senior players a week off in the early rounds.
That’s not solely due to the respective strength in depth of that ‘big five’.
The revolution this tournament has needed for years is commercial, especially beyond the fourth round. Without economic incentivisation for the higher division clubs, the eventual outcome in May is much more predictable than it ought to be for a knockout tournament.
Is there a solution? The FA Cup’s best hope is an unlikely Premier League sacrifice.
England is on course for a fifth Champions League spot and it would have helped if it had been agreed before the start of the season that – in the event of that happening – the extra place would go to the FA Cup winner.
That would get the attention of more mid-table Premier League sides and offer the economic incentive clubs and their owners need.
Without such a financial revamp, the Premier League is like darts’ PDC World Championship – all glitz and razzmataz and money pots – while the FA are like the BDO clinging to the idea that their traditional event is still the most cherished.
No doubt the romantics will point giddily at Leyton Orient’s heroic effort against Manchester City on Saturday. Wonderful as that was, even that was proof that the nowadays FA Cup more frequently delivers shock moments than shock results.
It is long overdue for established Premier League clubs beyond the usual suspects to seize the opportunity to claim silverware.
If Bournemouth match Leicester City and Wigan Athletic as recent first time winners, it will not just be their own supporters celebrating.
Burnley earn 10th consecutive clean sheet in Southampton upset
Scott Parker felt his side showed their Premier League credentials by dumping Southampton out of the FA Cup.
Marcus Edwards climbed off the bench to score a debut winner as Burnley won 1-0 at St Mary’s.
Edwards, the former Tottenham youngster who joined Burnley on loan from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on deadline day, pounced 13 minutes from the end of an attritional encounter on the south coast.
Dream debut 🤩
Marcus Edwards comes off the bench to score the winner for Burnley on his first appearance ⚽️#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup | @BurnleyOfficial pic.twitter.com/udFu0T1lxF— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 8, 2025
With the Premier League’s worst team meeting Europe’s meanest defence, goals were always going to be hard to come by but Edwards at least spared the 15,000-odd supporters who bothered to turn up at St Mary’s the prospect of extra time.
Scott Parker’s side revelling in the ‘Boring Boring Burnley’ tag bestowed on them by opposition fans this term, kept yet another clean sheet – their sixth in a row in all competitions, their 10th in 11 matches and their 23rd of the season. PA
Muniz books Fulham’s spot in fifth round
Fifty years since their one and only trip to the final, Fulham kept this season’s dreams alive by extending their lengthy unbeaten run against Wigan to a 20th match.
Muniz’s header was cancelled out by a stunning Jonny Smith strike early in the second half, but Fulham were not to be denied as the Brazilian drove home to secure a hard-fought 2-1 triumph at Wigan.
The Premier League side’s quality was clear from the outset, despite making 10 alterations against the 2013 FA Cup winners who are now plying their trade in League One.
Muniz underlined his starting credentials with two smart finishes as Shaun Maloney, part of Wigan’s triumphant side, looked to spring a surprise against his former Hull boss Silva.
Wigan fought until the end and repeatedly threatened to equalise, but the Premier League side managed to avoid an upset at the Brick Community Stadium. PA
Clarke stars as Ipswich cruise past Lampard’s Coventry
Ipswich reached the fifth round for the first time since 2007 despite making 11 changes to their side at Coventry.
George Hirst put Ipswich ahead with a penalty before Joel Latibeaudiere levelled but Jack Clarke’s double put the visitors in control before half-time and Jaden Philogene wrapped it up after the break. PA
Ipswich Town hit four to cruise into the #EmiratesFACup fifth round 🤩 pic.twitter.com/SeYta0X1t3
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
Horvath shines in shoot-out as Cardiff advance on penalities
Ethan Horvath was the penalty hero as Cardiff banished the ghost of FA Cups past as they beat Stoke 4-2 on penalties to reach the fifth round for the first time in 11 years.
It was an enthralling cup tie, which ends 3-3 after 120 minutes, at the bet365 Stadium as Cardiff made it fourth time lucky as they finally got one over the Potters in the competition.
And the shoot-out was equally as entertaining as Yousef Salech hit the bar for Cardiff before Tatsuki Seko hit the post for Stoke.
American keeper Horvath kept out Michael Rose’s spot kick and it was fittingly Rubin Colwill, who scored twice in normal time, was scored the winning penalty. PA
Woodman the hero in shoot-out as Preston advance into fifth round
Freddie Woodman was Preston’s penalty shoot-out hero after their FA Cup fourth-round tie with Wycombe ended 0-0 after extra-time.
The 27-year-old saved spot-kicks from Daniel Udoh and former Tottenham Hotspur Adam Reach to secure Preston’s place in the fifth round.
Ali McCann could have made things less nervy but shanked his penalty over the crossbar before Ched Evans confidently dispatched his effort to wrap up a 4-2 victory on spot-kicks.
It was a second shoot-out success of the season for Preston, following on from their record-breaking 16-15 triumph against Fulham in the EFL Cup. PA
05:48 PM GMT
And it’s finally over in the other penalty shootout
And it’s the visitors who’ve held their nerve, Cardiff beating Stoke 4-2 in the spotkick showdown.
05:46 PM GMT
Preston are through
They’ve beaten Wycombe 4-2 on penalties.
05:39 PM GMT
And it’s gone to penalties at Stoke
Which side will hold its nerve better out of the hosts and Cardiff?
05:35 PM GMT
It’s gone to penalties at Preston
Neither the hosts nor Wycombe were able to find a goal in 120 minutes so it’s squeaky-bum time.
05:23 PM GMT
Half-time in the extra-times...
And still no more goals so...
Preston 0 Wycombe 0
Stoke 3 Cardiff 3
05:22 PM GMT
Bournemouth thinking about FA Cup glory?
Andoni Iraola speaks to the BBC.
“A great result for us. Two different halves. First half we were better. Second half they pushed us more and we were defending more. Also we played the worst kind of football but we defended well.
”[Last season in the fifth round] we played against Leicester – they scored an amazing goal in extra time – and we couldn’t play the quarter-finals. Let’s see if we can go one step more. Playing in an FA Cup quarter-final would sound nice.
“it’s still too early [to think about winning the FA Cup]. There will still be 15 other teams. Let’s see what the draw says.”
05:12 PM GMT
No goals in extra-time
It’s still 0-0 between Preston and Wycombe and 3-3 in the tie between Stoke and Cardiff.
05:10 PM GMT
Final whistle has been blown at Coventry
And it’s ended 4-1 to Ipswich. There was a hint of a potential upset when Latibeaudiere equalised but the Premier League club pushed on and ran out easy winners.
05:01 PM GMT
So there will be extra-time at Stoke and Preston
Thirty minutes added in those ties.
05:00 PM GMT
Scores after 90 minutes
Everton 0 Bournemouth 2
Preston 0 Wycombe 0
Southampton 0 Burnley 1
Stoke 3 Cardiff 3
Wigan 1 Fulham 2
It’s still going on in Coventry, where Ipswich lead 4-1.
04:55 PM GMT
Whistles are being blown
And as it stands there’s only one upset.
Full-time scores to follow...
04:54 PM GMT
RESULT: Southampton 0 Burnley 1
I’ll leave it to you to decide whether this is an upset but it is most definitely over. The Championship side beating the Premier League basement outfit thanks to a Marcus Edwards goal. Scott Parker’s side have only conceded nine goals in the league this year and they’ve proven they’re a fine side once again with this victory.
04:52 PM GMT
Four minutes left at Goodison
And it looks as though the hosts’ winning run is about to come to an end with Bournemouth still leading 2-0.
04:46 PM GMT
Everton knocking at the door
Alcaraz was denied an introduction to remember as his 25 yard free-kick hits the post. That would have made for a lively finish. Everton still had a chance if they can get the next goal. They’re well aware how tricky a two-goal lead is in Goodison fixtures with Bournemouth. Everton have struck the woodwork three times in the last five minutes. We finally have a competitive cup tie.
04:42 PM GMT
GOAL! Coventry 1 Ipswich 4
Game well and truly over now as the Premier League club take a three-goal lead. Jaden Philogene has put the game beyond Frank Lampard’s men.
04:38 PM GMT
GOAL! Southampton 0 Burnley 1
Chance of an upset? Well, it depends if you consider a team flying in the Championship beating a poor side at the foot of the Premier League as a shock...not sure I do...
Anyway, Burnley are ahead on the south coast thanks to Marcus Edwards, he of Ross Geller/Friends transfer announcement fame (see below)...Yep, he’s scored on his debut!
Let them off the plane ⏳ pic.twitter.com/Yog9UPzSko
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) February 3, 2025
04:31 PM GMT
Moyes sends on Alcaraz (not that one...)
Moyes has sent on Charly Alcaraz for his Everton debut. Bournemouth have had to defend far more this half. Kepa is yet to make a save, but Iraola feels his side need another so has sent on Kluivert to try to find the killer third goal.
04:30 PM GMT
GOAL! Stoke 3 Cardiff 3
It’s not only raining in the normal sense in Stoke, it’s raining goals!
It’s now three-all! Rubin Colwill has the equaliser for Cardiff, who were, remember, 2-0 up.
04:26 PM GMT
Like father, like son (much to Stoke’s relief...)
Like father like son...
23 years after his dad, Jason, scored against them in the FA Cup fourth round, Lewis Koumas has bagged against Cardiff City ❤️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/EcH1oO3cBM— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
04:24 PM GMT
More positive from Everton
Tarkowski just wasted a chance to make amends for his first half nightmares, missing a header from six yards. But Everton are finally playing in Bournemouth’s half. As the saying goes, if they can get one back ‘it could get interesting…’
04:21 PM GMT
GOAL! Stoke 3 Cardiff 2
What a comeback! Having been two goals down Stoke are now in front!
Tezgel was fouled in the box, the ref pointed to the spot and Lewis Baker did the rest - we have a fine cup tie on our hands.
04:15 PM GMT
GOAL! Wigan 1 Fulham 2
Parity for the hosts didn’t last long as Muniz gets his second. The striker latches onto an Andreas Pereira ball over the top before nudging the ball past the onrushing Sam Tickle.
04:09 PM GMT
GOAL! Wigan 1 Fulham 1
Is there a hint of a possible shock in the north west? Perhaps...and that’s all thanks to Jonny Smith equalising for the hosts against the Premier League outfit. They’ve started the second-half well and deserve parity against the west Londoners.
04:05 PM GMT
Half-time in Coventry
And after a lively first 45 minutes it’s 3-1 to the visitors Ipswich. Latibeaudiere had headed the Championship side level after eight minutes. But two goals from Jack Clarke have since given the Premier League club a bit of breathing space. The forward hasn’t had the best start to his time with the Suffolk side since his move from Sunderland, perhaps he can kick on after this brace?
03:50 PM GMT
Half-time scores (apart from at Coventry)
Coventry City 1 Ipswich Town 3
Everton 0 Bournemouth 2
Preston 0 Wycombe 0
Southampton 0 Burnley 0
Stoke City 1 Cardiff City 2
Wigan 0 Fulham 1
03:49 PM GMT
GOAL! Coventry 1 Ipswich 3
Jack Clarke scores his second of the game and the Premier League team might well be out of sight now.
03:44 PM GMT
GOAL! Everton 0 Bournemouth 2
Iraola’s side are smothering another team and overwhelming them with their speed and directness. Jebbison is the scorer, punishing a poor pass from Tarkowski.
Bournemouth don’t need gifts but it is turning into a nightmare afternoon for Tarkowski, now culpable for both goals. Iraola’s side are much superior, but Moyes will be livid at how easy it has been to punish Everton. Two-nil is a fair reflection of the overall difference in quality.
03:43 PM GMT
GOAL! Stoke 1 Cardiff 2
Just three minutes before half time, Lewis Koumas has reduced the arrears for Stoke. Cardiff might have to do a lot of defending in the second half.
03:41 PM GMT
Everton target Semenyo again
Call it streetwise or dark arts, but Everton know where the danger is coming from and are targeting Semenyo now. Tarkowski just left a stud on the Bournemouth man which - if VAR was operating - might have been worth another look.
03:39 PM GMT
GOAL! Coventry 1 Ipswich 2
Coventry struggle to cope with a long ball forward from Ipswich and Jack Clarke whips the ball into the far corner with his right foot.
03:38 PM GMT
Only way to stop Semenyo
Obvious why so many clubs are looking at Semenyo, but he’s just been hit with an ankle crunching tackle by James Garner to get Goodison on its feet. It’s going to need more of that aggression by the home side because Bournemouth look far more accomplished.
03:24 PM GMT
GOAL! Everton 0 Bournemouth 1
Jordan Pickford got a hand to Antoine Semenyo’s penalty, conceded by James Tarkowski, but could not keep it out. Iraola’s team lead.
Bournemouth’s much coveted duo Kerkez and Semenyo linked up superbly in the build-up to the penalty, forcing Tarkowski into a reckless foul. Semenyo dispatched it expertly. One-nil to the Richard Hughes signings at Goodison.
03:23 PM GMT
GOAL! Wigan 0 Fulham 1
Rodrigo Muniz has given the Premier League team and early lead.
03:22 PM GMT
GOAL! Stoke 0 Cardiff 2
The away team are in control at the bet365 and Yousef Salech has scored their second.
03:20 PM GMT
GOAL! Coventry 1 Ipswich 1
Swift response from the home team: Joel Latibeaudiere, Doncaster born but a Jamaica international, has scored the equaliser.
03:16 PM GMT
GOAL! Coventry 0 Ipswich 1
There was a 10-minute delay to kick-off in this game, but Ipswich won a penalty inside 22 seconds. George Hirst has stepped up and tucked it away.
03:11 PM GMT
GOAL! Stoke 0 Cardiff 1
Rubin Colwill has given the away team the lead after eight minutes. That is the first goal in the 3pm FA Cup fourth-round ties.
03:07 PM GMT
Bournemouth almost off to a flyer
Everton scored after 10 seconds last weekend. Bournemouth nearly went two seconds better. Tarkowski’s block against Tavernier’s goalbound attempt means the record books are not being written for a consecutive home game.
03:02 PM GMT
Moyes picks a strong team
Fair play to David Moyes. He has not looked ahead to Wednesday’s Merseyside derby in his FA Cup line-up. He was wrestling with a dilemma on whether to build on the momentum of three successive league wins, or to rest players for Liverpool’s visit. He’s obviously decided there can be no compromises on what could be Goodison Park’s last ever FA Cup tie.
Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young, Garner, Gueye, Lindstrom, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Beto
Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Keane, Harrison, Alcaraz, Iroegbunam, Sherif, Dixon, Heath
03:00 PM GMT
A Leeds United statement
During today’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Millwall, we were extremely disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football tragedies from the away section at Elland Road.
We know the impact this has on the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, along with the whole fan base of Leeds United.
We will work with the police and Millwall Football Club to identify those involved, whilst we will also continue our efforts with the football authorities to help eradicate these chants from the game.
02:46 PM GMT
Wellens on Orient’s showing
I’m proud because we created chances, we caused them problems, the atmosphere was brilliant. The goals are so obvious for us. Their wingers were staying high and wide and causing problems. I’m disappointed with the last goal. At least it took the big boy to come on and beat us.
When this draw comes out, you’ve worried the player’s mind goes to that. We needed legs in the last 20 minutes. Our lads are learning their trades. The game management is what you need to be a proper player.
It was a brilliant atmosphere, they’re a brilliant outfit and I wish them well in Madrid. Our chairman’s buzzing he met Pep.
02:31 PM GMT
Rico Lewis speaking post-match
Credit to Leyton Orient, they made it difficult for us to play. It’s easy to say it’s tougher than you think but we all know they’re tough. The crowd are right up for it.
It’s Man City at the end of the day, the demands are so high. There’s enough leadership in this team. Going from attack to defence is difficult, there’s a lot of ground to cover. It’s all about trust.
The season hasn’t panned out how we wanted it to. Every game now, as long as we win, it could be a great season for us.
02:30 PM GMT
A reminder of the 3pm kick-offs
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town
Everton vs Bournemouth
Preston North End vs Wycombe Wanderers
Southampton vs Burnley
Stoke City vs Cardiff City
Wigan Athletic vs Fulham
02:29 PM GMT
Jamie Donley on his goal
I thought we did well. We knew it would be a really tough game. I thought we made a good account of ourselves. It’s disappointing to lose but I’m proud of the boys.
I know I hit the goal well. I knew it fell for me nicely. I saw him off his line and luckily it went in. It will be a happy moment. It would have been a lot nicer if we won. It was disappointing we lost but it was a good moment.
02:15 PM GMT
A great day for Orient
They couldn't quite do it but Leyton Orient can be so proud. Donley scored the FA Cup goal of the competition (it will go down as an OG but anybody here will always remember it as Donley's) and City's equaliser was very lucky. Orient could still have taken it to extra-time.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) February 8, 2025
02:12 PM GMT
Full-time results
Leeds United 0 Millwall 2
Leyton Orient 1 Man City 2
City squeak through to the FA Cup fifth round, but their performance will do little to boost confidence prior to Tuesday’s game against Real Madrid. Wellens set his Orient team up ever so well, and there were some excellent individual performances from the home team.
02:08 PM GMT
90 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 2
What a chance for Orient! Their skipper Happe has volleyed over at the back post from a beautifully delivered free-kick. Guardiola is furious with his team and Ortgea, who lumped the ball out of play shortly beforehand after some scruffy passing at the back.
There will be four minutes of added time to play.
02:05 PM GMT
86 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 2
Orient’s last chance? City struggle to clear their lines from the long throw before Pratley swivels on a shot that flies over the bar. City’s penalty box defending remains unconvincing at times.
02:02 PM GMT
Keeley’s starting position too deep
Josh Keeley has been magnificent but a split second of hesitation there has cost Orient a goal.
He could have come out and beaten De Bruyne to the ball in behind the defence but held his run and that allowed the Belgium international that space he needed to toe poke home City’s second.
You feel that is probably it for Orient now but they have been superb to a man.
01:59 PM GMT
81 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 2
Orient’s race looks run now, City players are streaming forward and the home team are struggling to cope with their fresh legs. It only takes a moment though...
01:57 PM GMT
GOOOAALL! De Bruyne puts City in front
City fans can surely breathe a sight of relief. Grealish with the dinked pass over the Orient defence, and De Bruyne met the bouncing ball with an outstretched right leg. Keeley has had a great game but I think the Orient goalkeeper could have snaffled that had he been quicker off his line.
A moment of quality from @ManCity ✨@JackGrealish with a beautiful ball through, and @KevinDeBruyne finishes with the dink 🤌#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/kAAhT3ileb
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
01:54 PM GMT
76 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 1
Great couple of minutes for Orient: De Bruyne robbed of possession in midfield, before Kelman tests Ortega with a shot from a narrow angle. The home team look to have found a second wind, and they have a corner. Ortega flapped at the corner, but City survive.
Cooper is then shown a yellow for scything down Marmoush.
01:50 PM GMT
72 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 1
McAtee and O’Reilly are the City players making way for Foden and De Bruyne.
Brilliant centre-forward play from Kelman, brushing off Bernardo and Gundogan before feeding a cross beyond Ortega. No team-mate there for a tap-in.
Manchester City have been forced to send on the cavalry as Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden emerge from the bench.
All logic points to a City victory but when you have seen a goal scored like the one Orient did, the home fans still dare to dream
01:47 PM GMT
70 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 1
Orient are sticking in there, and having avoided caving immediately after the City equaliser. Guardiola is about to introduce Foden and De Bruyne from the bench. Noel Gallagher is in among the away fans.
01:43 PM GMT
Harsh on Orient
It is fair to say the goal had been coming for Manchester City but it’s such a shame for Orient that it came via a massive deflection.
You can hear the away fans signing for this first time this afternoon now.
01:42 PM GMT
65 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 1
City starting to turn the screw now, but Orient goalkeeper Keeley continues to impress. This time he plunges to his left to keep out a deflected Gundogan shot. There was another penalty appeal from the City players but the referee is unmoved.
01:40 PM GMT
63 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 1
McAttee clips the post with a shot with the outside of his left foot. Marmoush was flattened in the area, I think that would have been a penalty with VAR in use. There is no VAR, so Orient survive.
01:39 PM GMT
Millwall goalkeeper Roberts has saved a penalty
Struijk’s attempt from the spot is tipped onto the post, and Leeds still trail by two at Elland Road as the clock ticks beyond the hour mark.
Liam Roberts gets a slight hand on it to deny Leeds United from the spot for @MillwallFC! 🧤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/mQYpM842wZ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
01:37 PM GMT
59 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 1
Rash challenge from Khusanov on Pratley which offers Orient the chance to deliver into the box from a wide free-kick.
Close! Kelman stuck a leg out and the ball flew just beyond the near post.
01:34 PM GMT
GOOOAALL! City are level
A rotten goal for Orient to concede: Rico Lewis with the strike from 25 yards and his effort deflected off Khusanov and beyond the helpless Keeley. The goal will be credited to Khusanov. City get the rub of the green.
He didn't know much about it, but Abdukodir Khusanov has his first @ManCity goal 🇺🇿#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/yJc0V3CCbY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
01:33 PM GMT
GOAL! Millwall two up at Leeds
Azeez has his second of the afternoon at Elland Road, and if the first finish was fortunate this one came at the end of a slick move.
01:31 PM GMT
53 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
The man City shots are starting to rack up now but Orient are throwing themselves into blocks. First Bernardo and then Gundogan are denied, Simpson with the block. Grealish wants a free-kick but it is just a throw-in.
Orient are making a change: Jaiyesimi, who has been excellent, is replaced by 39-year-old Darren Pratley.
01:28 PM GMT
50 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
O’Reilly guilty of trying to force a through ball when it was not on and it runs through to the Orient goalkeeper Keeley. The home team then enjoy a longer sequence of passes to some “oles” from the home fans.
01:26 PM GMT
48 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Orient threaten a second goal! Donley shows his calls with another switch of play, and Galbraith whips a dangerous cross low into the six-yard box. Crucial defending from Khusanov at the back post.
01:24 PM GMT
We are back under way at Brisbane Road
The pattern of the game is set: City having the ball and Orient trying to stay compact. Will their resistance finally be broken?
01:23 PM GMT
Double change from City
Guardiola has changed both centre-backs at half-time which is unusual. Stones and Khusanov on for Reis and Dias. Maybe just managing fitness and fitness. City have suffered so many defensive injuries.
01:10 PM GMT
HT: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Orient are halfway to one of the great FA Cup shocks but there is an awful lot of football to be played. Wellens’ team caused City problems with direct play and passes played in behind Rico Lewis. They have had to rely on some City profligacy and goalkeeper Keeley at times, but it has been a fantastic team effort. Wellens switched to a back five towards the end of the half to try to cover City’s width.
01:05 PM GMT
HT: Leeds 0 Millwall 1
Veteran Leeds midfielder Josuha Guilavogui is the first player into the referee’s book after going over the top in a tackle on Casper De Norre.
That’s Leeds 1-0 up on bookings but still 1-0 down on goals.
Millwall almost made it 2-0 when Femi Azeez struck the bar after Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu had given the ball away and Luke Cundle somehow contrived to put the rebound wide.
Leeds could have been level moments level when Sam Chambers worked a promising position only for Liam Roberts to save well.
01:04 PM GMT
48 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Really well-timed challenge from Orient’s right-back James against Marmoush who is a difficult customer to deal with.
And then Keeley denies Marmoush with a pivotal save. Savinho with the ball across the face of goal and Marmoush met it with a side-foot volley but the goalkeeper saves with his feet.
01:02 PM GMT
45 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Not the news Orient fans wanted to here: there will be SIX minutes of added time. The Orient centre-backs Happe and Simpson have been rock solid. Happe does well to track the run of Bernardo Silva into the box.
12:58 PM GMT
42 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Very slick move from Orient, the right side of City’s defence exposed again, but from the pull-back Perkins could not keep his shot down. The bustling Jaiyesimi has now been fouled, with McAtee shown a yellow card. Orient have half-time in sight now.
12:54 PM GMT
37 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Orient having to ride their luck now with Bernardo Silva’s effort cleared off the line! Donley, the hero of the hour, made the critical defensive intervention. City finding joy with diagonal passes over the top of the Orient back four.
Grealish is then fouled, but Keeley punches the free-kick clear before Savinho fires over from 25 yards out.
Another incredible moment from Jamie Donley as he clears one of the line for @leytonorientfc 🔴#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ZXA2ad4jpY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
12:51 PM GMT
35 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
City trying to move around Orient’s defensive block, and Jaiyesimi defends well against Savinho even if he ends up conceding a free-kick. Marmoush is making some smart runs which are not being found.
12:48 PM GMT
GOAL! Millwall lead at Elland Road
Femi Azeez has scored the opening goal at Leeds with the help of a considerable deflection which left Darlow stranded in the Leeds goal.
12:47 PM GMT
Leeds struggling for rhythm after making changes
Twenty-three minutes in at Elland Road and we have the first shot on target.
A flying effort from Willy Gnonto is kept out by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts after some good build-up play from Isaac Schmidt and Sam Chambers.
Chambers, playing down the right, had the first opportunity of the game as Millwall struggled to clear a free-kick but sent his shot over the bar.
Millwall, on the whole, are coping OK. Leeds, not surprisingly after the mass reshuffle, look a bit disjointed.
12:46 PM GMT
30 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Better from Man City, with James McAtee pinging a diagonal pass to Grealish in the box, but Bernardo’s shot was blocked after he was teed up by Grealish. Marmoush with an excellent piece of movement, but he cannot find the yard required to get his shot off.
12:43 PM GMT
27 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
City enjoying a sustained spell of possession, and they have a corner, but Orient goalkeeper Keeley is yet to get his kit dirty. He claims Marmoush’s corner, good clean hands. The goal has been noted down as an own goal which feels very unfair of Donley.
12:40 PM GMT
23 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Wellens will be delighted with not only the goal but how solid his team look. They are defending in an aggressive 4-2-4 when they are higher up the pitch, which becomes a 4-4-2 when they retreat. Jaiyesimi is down now for Orient after taking the ball flush in the face.
12:37 PM GMT
One of the great FA Cup goals
That is one of the best goals I have ever seen, not just at Leyton Orient, but in any match live.
I was right in line with it and you could tell as soon as Donley hit it that it had the right power and was going to be close.
The agonising sight of it hitting the underside of the crossbar and then the euphoria as it bounced back in off the goalkeeper. Just incredible.
12:36 PM GMT
20 minutes: Leyton Orient 1 Man City 0
Barry Hearn was leading the celebrations in the stands. Gonzalez is now on the turf again with what looks a back niggle. Bernardo Silva is going to replace him. Not the ideal debut for the City midfielder.
12:34 PM GMT
GOOOAAALLL! Jamie Donley with an FA Cup classic for Orient
This goal will be rewatched for years to come. Gonzalez wanted a foul in midfield for City but I think he went down a little easily. Donley picked up the loose ball and chipped Ortega from around 40 yards out, with the ball striking the bar and then the City goalkeeper before bouncing over the line. It will go down as an own goal, but it is Donley’s goal morally. Brilliant invention and technique.
JAMIE DONLEY. THAT'S INCREDIBLE. 🤯
The @SpursOfficial loanee with an incredible effort from distance that ends up in the net to give @leytonorientfc the opening goal against Manchester City 😱#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/bHnKg92Q2y— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
12:31 PM GMT
A game of few chances at Elland Road so far
Millwall, on a run of three successive wins, have brought 1,700 fans with them to Elland Road for this 12.15 kick-off.
They are being goaded by the home support for their lack of volume but in fairness they haven’t had a great deal to cheer yet. Neither have the Leeds fans.
No shots from either side yet ten minutes in.
12:26 PM GMT
9 minutes: Leyton Orient 0 Man City 0
City win a couple of corners, but Orient defend. Savinho looking lively for City, and new signing Nico Gonzalez is playing as the deepest of the midfield three. Orient manager Richie Wellens, as is customary for him, is spending the first half in the stands.
First good chance for City: Gonzalez with a chipped pass for Savinho who knocked the ball across the six-yard box but Gundogan could not sort his feet out when it looked like he had a tap-in.
12:21 PM GMT
5 minutes: Leyton Orient 0 Man City 0
Huge cheers from the home fans as Jack Grealish drags a shot wide of the near post. Orient are finding joy with long balls clipped in behind the right side of the City defence. Currie teased a low cross across the area but O’Reilly was pushed and City have a free-kick. Positive start from Orient.
12:18 PM GMT
2 minutes: Leyton Orient 0 Man City 0
The home team enjoying some territory in the early exchanges, with Kelman whipping the ball across goal but the flag was up for offside. Then Jaiyesimi spins in behind Lewis a little too easily but the City full-back recovered and the ball ran through to Ortega.
12:16 PM GMT
KICK OFF!
The two fourth-round ties at Brisbane Road and Ellan Road are under way.
12:15 PM GMT
Leeds vs Millwall...
Features in Jim White’s survey of English football’s weirdest rivalries, and they clubs renew hostilities on the pitch and in the stands at Elland Road today.
12:12 PM GMT
An Orient cult hero
The guest on the pitch before kick off was none other than Jonathan Tehoue who scored the equaliser against Arsenal in the last big FA Cup tie here.
12:11 PM GMT
The atmosphere is crackling at Brisbane Road
I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve been like an excitable little kid this morning. Woke up at 6am thinking about the game.
These days don’t come along very often for us Orient fans (I still call them by their old name, nobody refers to them as Leyton Pep) and they are special.
The buzz around the stadium before the game, the electricity inside. I’m sat in a seat in the East Stand where I watched Orient beat Wrexham in the play-off final almost 35 years ago and feeling very emotional.
Saw my 81-year-old dad before kick off, who is still a season ticket holder at Brisbane Road, and he was like a little kid too!
I don’t think Orient will win, I can’t allow myself to think that big, but what an occasion. And there is a chance, there is always a chance.
11:48 AM GMT
Leeds United vs Millwall team news
Leeds United XI: Darlow, Byram, Struijk, Ampadu, Schmidt, Guilavogui, Rothwell, Gnonto, Chambers, Ramazani, Fernandez
Subs: Meslier, Bogle, Firpo, Debayo, Gruev, Tanaka, Solomon, Aaronson, Piroe
Millwall XI: Roberts, Harding, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan, De Norre, Mitchell, Azeez, Cundle, Neghli, Ivanovic
Subs: Jensen, Wallace, Wintle, Kelly, Watmore, Leahy, Bangura-Williams, Honeyman, Sturge.
11:43 AM GMT
John Sitton and Terry Howard reunited
The trials and tribulations of cash-strapped Leyton Orient were the subject of a 1995 documentary, Club For A Fiver, which has become a cult classic among football fans. Some can even recite manager John Sitton’s four-letter dressing down of player Terry Howard, who was released at half-time of a match in front of the cameras. The pair have never been in the same room since, until Matt Law reunited them in a Telegraph Sport exclusive. Read the entertaining and candid interview here.
11:32 AM GMT
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11:30 AM GMT
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11:27 AM GMT
Leyton Orient team and subs
YOU O'S! 👊
Here's how we'll line up for today's @EmiratesFACup clash against Man City 🔢#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/E2hupSxHxR— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) February 8, 2025
11:26 AM GMT
Man City team news
Today's City lineup! 👊
XI | Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Reis, Dias (C), O'Reilly, Nico, Gundogan, McAtee, Savinho, Grealish, Marmoush
SUBS | Carson, Stones, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Akanji, Nunes, Khusanov, Foden, Mubama#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/mtQkL4GDo7— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 8, 2025
11:25 AM GMT
United fan Richie Wellens relishing picking his wits against ‘genius’ Guardiola
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of FA Cup fourth-round Saturday, which begins with Leyton Orient vs Manchester City and Leeds United vs Millwall.
This is Orient’s biggest FA Cup outing since they played Arsenal in 2011, who they took to a replay at the Emirates courtesy of Jonathan Téhoué‘s memorable equaliser at Brisbane Road. For City fans, the tie could be a chance to see more of new signings Vitor Reis, Nicolas Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov.
City’s Champions League play-off against Real Madrid looms, but with the Premier League title out of reach this competition carries additional importance. City are also out to make amends for losing the final to local rivals United, when in truth they were not at the races at Wembley.
Pep’s caused me a lot of pain with how good City have been,” Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens, a lifelong Manchester United fan, said. “He is a genius. He’s a pioneer for a lot of coaches.
“I hope he picks a few young ones to give us a chance. But whoever plays, it’s going to be difficult. We’ll try and put on a show and stay in the game as long as possible.”
Wellens has been in the news recently for calling out Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou for making excuses regarding injuries, with Postecoglou hitting back on Friday that Wellens had found his “five minutes of fame”.
Gonzalez was the last of City’s new faces to arrive after completing a £49.9million switch from Porto on deadline day.
The 23-year-old Spaniard gives City a holding option they have sorely missed since linchpin Rodri was sidelined with a serious knee injury in September.
“He has to adapt to the Premier League,” said Guardiola, whose side face Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. “I don’t know how long it will take but we’re really pleased that he’s here. He’s a player for many years.
“Hopefully next season Rodri will be back but, after an ACL (injury), playing 60-70 games like last seasons is always a risk.
“The first impact has been good but I will not put pressure on his shoulders to solve all the problems that we have. He has just come to help us to be a more stable team and to play better.”