England’s oldest football competition has already produced its fair share of drama this season, and the remaining fixtures suggest that the excitement is far from over.

Among the standout ties is a heavyweight showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool. With several Premier League giants still in the competition, a blockbuster clash always seemed inevitable.

Unfortunately for City and Liverpool, they were the ones paired together. If their upcoming cup encounter delivers even a fraction of the drama seen in their recent league meeting, fans can expect a thrilling contest.

While some of their domestic rivals have already faced each other, Chelsea once again avoided Premier League opposition and will host Port Vale. The League One side earned their spot in the quarter-finals after producing one of the biggest upsets of the fifth round, defeating Sunderland. Despite the historic achievement, manager Jon Brady admitted the schedule could be challenging.

“It’s a bit of a pain in the bum, to be honest!” he said after guiding the third-tier club to their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 72 years. “It’s a privilege, but it’s tough as well.”

Elsewhere, Arsenal will travel to face Southampton. The last time the Gunners reached the FA Cup quarter-final stage, they went on to lift the trophy, and Mikel Arteta will be hoping history repeats itself. The Arsenal boss has yet to add another major trophy in the six years since that triumph, but his team is still competing across four competitions this season.

Manchester City, meanwhile, remain in pursuit of a potential quadruple and appear to be finding their rhythm at the right moment. Unlike Arsenal and Chelsea, who have largely avoided top-flight opposition, City have had a tougher path. They recently came from behind to secure a 3–1 victory over Newcastle United, and their quarter-final clash with Liverpool promises another stern test.

For Liverpool, reaching this stage was no easy task either. The Reds had to overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers, a fixture made even more intense after Wolves had beaten them at the same stadium just three nights earlier. That result added extra motivation for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and another dramatic encounter could be on the cards when they meet City again.

Elsewhere, Leeds United have been upbeat about their chances as they chase a first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 2003. The Yorkshire club will face either West Ham United or Brentford, depending on the outcome of their Monday night clash.

2025–26 FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw

• Southampton vs Arsenal
• Chelsea vs Port Vale
• Manchester City vs Liverpool
• West Ham United or Brentford vs Leeds United

With several big names still in the competition and a few potential giant-killing stories brewing, the FA Cup’s magic looks set to continue as the tournament edges closer to Wembley.

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The road to Wembley just got clearer and tougher, following the fifth-round draw of the FA Cup for the 2025/26 season.

Conducted on Monday, 16 February 2026, the draw has lined up a fascinating mix of Premier League giants and lower-league dreamers, all now just one victory away from the quarter-finals. At this stage, every fixture carries weight. Two more wins separate these clubs from a coveted trip to Wembley Stadium.

League One side Mansfield Town have been handed a glamour tie against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Nigel Clough’s men have already proven they can upset top-flight opposition, coming from behind to knock out Burnley in the fourth round.

Now, with home advantage at Field Mill, the Stags will believe another shock is possible.

In what many are calling the standout fixture, Wrexham will host Chelsea. The Blues advanced past Hull City with minimal fuss and now face a Championship side chasing promotion — and dreaming of an FA Cup fairy tale.

Despite their rich domestic pedigree, Liverpool have only reached this stage three times in the past 11 seasons. According to Mohamed Salah, much of their cup ambition rests on the shoulders of Dominik Szoboszlai.

If the Hungarian midfielder maintains his current form, struggling Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers could have a difficult evening when the sides meet next month.

Manchester City will square off against Newcastle United in another heavyweight encounter. City may not have been at their free-flowing best in the previous round against Salford, but they will take confidence from their recent Carabao Cup semi-final victory over the Magpies.

Notably absent from the last 16 are Manchester United and defending champions Crystal Palace, both of whom were eliminated earlier in the competition.

2025/26 FA Cup Fifth Round Draw in Full

• Fulham vs Southampton
• Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland
• Newcastle United vs Manchester City
• Leeds United vs Norwich City
• Mansfield Town vs Arsenal
• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
• Wrexham vs Chelsea
• West Ham United vs Macclesfield Town or Brentford

The #EmiratesFACup fifth round draw 🏆

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 16, 2026

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As usual, the draw has delivered a familiar mix of giant clashes, tricky away trips, and classic cup narratives. Arsenal and Chelsea were both handed ties against Football League opposition, while Liverpool could be set for a heavyweight Premier League showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion, but only if they first navigate their third-round encounter with Barnsley on Monday night.

Arsenal had to dig deep themselves in the previous round, surviving a stern test from Championship side Portsmouth before sealing progression. Their reward is a meeting with Wigan Athletic, the 2013 FA Cup winners who know all too well how to spring surprises in this competition.

Chelsea, meanwhile, began life under Liam Rosenior in emphatic fashion with a commanding win over Charlton Athletic. Fate then added an interesting twist, pairing the Blues with Hull City, Rosenior’s former club.

The headline fairy tale from the third round belonged to Macclesfield. The sixth-tier side—only purchased off Rightmove in 2020, produced one of the shocks of the season by convincingly dumping out defending champions Crystal Palace. Their reward? Another crack at top-flight opposition, this time against Brentford, as their remarkable cup journey continues.

Not everyone enjoyed a smooth passage. Manchester United were among the biggest names to exit the competition, falling to Brighton in a bruising third-round defeat at Old Trafford. Brighton’s prize for that upset is a fourth-round tie against either Liverpool or Barnsley, setting up the possibility of another major scalp.

Elsewhere, there are several eye-catching fixtures across the draw, with Premier League sides facing stern tests and lower-league teams dreaming of another famous night.

2025–26 FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

• Liverpool or Barnsley vs Brighton & Hove Albion
• Stoke City vs Fulham
• Oxford United vs Sunderland
• Southampton vs Leicester City
• Wrexham vs Ipswich Town
• Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
• Hull City vs Chelsea
• Burton Albion vs West Ham United
• Burnley vs Mansfield Town
• Norwich City vs West Bromwich Albion
• Port Vale vs Bristol City
• Grimsby Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Aston Villa vs Newcastle
• Manchester City vs Salford or Swindon
• Macclesfield vs Brentford
• Birmingham City vs Leeds United

With giant-killings already setting the tone and plenty of intriguing storylines still unfolding, the fourth round promises more drama, the kind only the FA Cup can deliver.

Ties confirmed ✅

The 2025-26 #EmiratesFACup fourth round draw 🏆

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 12, 2026

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Holders Crystal Palace will begin their title defence with what looks like a fairytale clash, drawing non-league Macclesfield in a matchup that embodies everything magical about the competition.

Elsewhere, the draw delivered heavyweight meetings that will immediately test the resolve of some Premier League giants. Manchester United were handed a tricky home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, a team that hasn’t exactly been shy in Manchester in recent seasons.

For Ruben Amorim and his men, it’s an opportunity to bury the sting of their shocking Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, but Brighton’s growing confidence makes this anything but straightforward.

Over in north London, Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa stands out as one of the most eye-catching pairings of the round. Unai Emery’s Villa have been a thorn in the side of top teams, and a trip to face Spurs sets the stage for one of the round’s most tightly balanced encounters.

Some of England’s other big sides will be packing their bags for potentially awkward away days. Arsenal are off to Fratton Park for a gritty meeting with Championship side Portsmouth, a ground known for its old-school intensity. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in the capital but still face a stern test as they cross London to take on Charlton Athletic.

There’s nothing quite like the #EmiratesFACup third round draw 🤩 pic.twitter.com/TinWrVpvof

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 8, 2025

At Anfield, Arne Slot’s under-pressure Liverpool have been paired with League One’s Barnsley, a team with a history of causing trouble for bigger clubs in this tournament. The champions of England, Manchester City, are set to welcome Exeter City to the Etihad, a tie that looks straightforward on paper but will still require focus.

Two all-Premier League battles add further spice to the mix. Everton face high-flying Sunderland at Goodison Park, while Newcastle United will host Bournemouth in what many are already calling the “Eddie Howe Derby.”

All fixtures are scheduled to take place across the weekend of January 9 to 12, when the country’s oldest cup competition once again delivers its unique blend of hope, heartbreak, and giant-killing potential.

2025–26 FA Cup Third Round Draw

• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Shrewsbury Town
• Doncaster Rovers vs. Southampton
• Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa
• Port Vale vs. Fleetwood Town
• Preston North End vs. Wigan Athletic
• Ipswich Town vs. Blackpool
• Wrexham vs. Nottingham Forest
• Charlton Athletic vs. Chelsea
• Manchester City vs. Exeter City
• West Ham United vs. Queens Park Rangers
• Sheffield Wednesday vs. Brentford
• Fulham vs. Middlesbrough
• Everton vs. Sunderland
• Liverpool vs. Barnsley
• Burnley vs. Millwall
• Norwich City vs. Walsall
• Portsmouth vs. Arsenal
• Derby County vs. Leeds United
• Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion
• Salford City vs. Swindon Town
• Boreham Wood vs. Brackley Town or Burton Albion
• Grimsby Town vs. Weston-super-Mare
• Hull City vs. Blackburn Rovers
• Newcastle United vs. AFC Bournemouth
• Milton Keynes Dons vs. Oxford United
• Cheltenham Town vs. Leicester City
• Cambridge United vs. Birmingham City
• Bristol City vs. Watford
• Stoke City vs. Coventry City
• Macclesfield FC vs. Crystal Palace
• Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
• Sheffield United vs. Mansfield Town

The draw for the #EmiratesFACup third round proper is complete 🏆🚨

🔗 https://t.co/4nnCcS2644 pic.twitter.com/xdMr8DcoA7

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 8, 2025

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These seasoned professionals, having carved out illustrious careers over the years, are now stepping into new roles, many of them returning to the dugout or boardroom in various coaching or developmental capacities.

Here’s a look at some of the most notable figures who have decided to call time on their football journeys this year:

• Jonny Evans: A Decorated Career Comes Full Circle

Jonny Evans officially ended his professional career on May 30, 2025, at the age of 37, capping a remarkable 19-year spell in the game with over 600 appearances to his name. His final campaign at Manchester United may have seen limited game time, just seven league appearances, but he began the season on a high, fresh off lifting the FA Cup in May 2024.

Evans etched one more memorable moment into his legacy with a goal in the EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Tottenham in December 2024, his first since rejoining United.

The Northern Irishman’s journey took him from the Manchester United academy to loan spells at Sunderland, followed by key stints at West Brom and Leicester City, where he captained the Foxes to a historic FA Cup triumph in 2021.

👕 386 Premier League appearances
📄 97 clean sheets
💪 14 goals
🏆 3 Premier League titles

Jonny Evans calls time on his playing career 👏 pic.twitter.com/JLIPnUyQGf

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 30, 2025

With 241 appearances for United, his trophy cabinet includes three Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, the Club World Cup, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.

Internationally, Evans earned 107 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring six goals and captaining the national side 15 times.

Post-retirement, United appointed him as Head of Loans and Pathways, a role in which he’ll help nurture emerging talents as he works toward completing his UEFA A Coaching Licence.

• Adam Lallana: From Midfield Maestro to Coaching Bench

In June 2025, Adam Lallana brought an end to a 17-year professional career, bowing out at 37 and stepping directly into a coaching role with Southampton. Having already taken on player-assistant duties during the club’s relegation fight earlier in the year, Lallana was confirmed as first-team coach under new manager Will Still.

Lallana’s career came full circle with his return to St. Mary’s, where he made 283 appearances across two spells. Between those stints, he became a key figure at Liverpool after a £25 million move in 2014, racking up over 178 Premier League matches and winning the Champions League (2019), Premier League (2020), UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

BREAKING: Adam Lallana has announced his retirement from football 🚨

The 37-year-old left St Mary's at the end of a second spell at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, almost two decades after he made his debut for the club.

Since then, he has gone on to play for Liverpool… pic.twitter.com/vJIyouQDKx

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 25, 2025

Before his tearful return to Southampton, his tenure in Brighton gave his resume even more distinction. Lallana made 34 appearances for England on the international scene, scoring three goals while competing in the UEFA Euro 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

He participated in 571 games in all competitions, scoring 86 goals and dishing out 73 assists.

• James Tomkins: A Reliable Pillar Bows Out

March 2025 saw the curtain fall on James Tomkins’ career at age 35, following eight seasons with Crystal Palace and a long-term association with West Ham United. A graduate of the Hammers’ academy, Tomkins rose through the ranks from age eight, making 243 senior appearances before his 2016 switch to Palace for an estimated £10 million.

At Selhurst Park, Tomkins made 125 appearances, scoring 10 goals and becoming a fan favourite for his consistency and leadership. A standout moment came during the 2018/19 season, one of Palace’s strongest Premier League campaigns. His career culminated with an FA Cup win in 2025, a fitting final flourish.

🚨🔚 After 17 years and almost 400 professional appearances, it's time to hang up my boots ⚒🦅@WestHam @dcfcofficial @CPFC pic.twitter.com/BgbXbQBzxO

— James Tomkins (@tomkinsofficial) March 24, 2025

Although he never earned a senior England cap, Tomkins represented his country at various youth levels and was part of Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics.

• Wayne Hennessey: Wales’ Record-Breaking Goalkeeper Steps Away

Veteran shot-stopper Wayne Hennessey announced his retirement in July 2025 at the age of 38, ending a storied career that saw him become Wales’ most-capped goalkeeper with 109 appearances, eclipsing the legendary Neville Southall.

At club level, Hennessey was a dependable presence for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace, each of whom he served with distinction. His standout performances during Palace’s journey to the 2016 FA Cup final remain etched in memory. Though registered with Nottingham Forest during the 2024/25 season, he made no appearances.

Hennessey’s international legacy is equally impressive. He was a key figure in Wales’ fairytale run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals and was instrumental in their 2022 World Cup qualification—most notably delivering nine decisive saves in the play-off win over Ukraine.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wayne Hennessey has today announced his retirement from professional football after making 109 appearances for Cymru and featuring at major tournaments for his country.

Diolch am bopeth, Wayne! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lPdi1jqzKZ

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) July 16, 2025

His final cap came in November 2023 in a friendly against Gibraltar. Following his retirement, he accepted a coaching role at Nottingham Forest, continuing his journey in football from the sidelines.

Final Thoughts

The exit of these footballing veterans marks the end of an era for the Premier League. Their contributions on and off the pitch have left indelible marks, and as they transition into mentoring and management roles, the next generation of talent stands to benefit from their experience and leadership.

Their retirements are not just the closing chapters of individual careers—they are reminders of the enduring legacy and evolution of football as one generation hands over the baton to the next.

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In a historic moment for the club, Crystal Palace claimed their first-ever major trophy after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Premier League giants Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.

The triumph ended Manchester City’s streak of winning at least one major title every season since 2016-17, marking Pep Guardiola’s first trophyless campaign in nearly a decade.

Eberechi Eze was the hero of the day, scoring the decisive goal in the 16th minute with a signature Crystal Palace counterattack that left fans and pundits in awe

The goal epitomized Palace’s swift attacking style under manager Oliver Glasner. After a precise hold-up play by Jean-Philippe Mateta near the halfway line, full-back Daniel Muñoz surged down the right flank before delivering a perfectly weighted low cross into the City penalty area. Eze timed his run impeccably and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner, sending the Palace supporters into raptures.

Despite conceding early, Manchester City dominated possession and relentlessly pressed for an equalizer. Their efforts culminated in a penalty when Bernardo Silva was brought down by Tyrick Mitchell inside the box. However, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a spectacular save to deny Omar Marmoush’s spot-kick attempt, a moment that proved crucial to Palace’s eventual victory.

❤️💙🦅 Special moment for Crystal Palace, winning their first major trophy ever and ready for European football for the first time.

🏆 FA Cup win.
🇪🇺 Europa League football.
⚔️ Community Shield vs Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/CdB9pQnZt8

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2025

The second half saw Crystal Palace dig deep and defend with tenacity, repeatedly frustrating City’s attempts to break through. Henderson continued to deliver a series of important saves, keeping the Eagles ahead as the clock ticked down.

As time waned, Manchester City’s attacks grew increasingly desperate, but Crystal Palace’s resilient defense held firm to secure a monumental upset.

After the match, a jubilant Eze told BBC Sport, “It’s special. I don’t even know what to say.”

Coming into the final as heavy underdogs against a team that has dominated English football — winning six Premier League titles since 2017-18 — Crystal Palace defied expectations and rewrote their club history.

This remarkable victory marks a new era for the South London club and a moment their fans will cherish forever.

Crystal Palace are the @EmiratesFACup 2025 CHAMPIONS 🏆 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/BbIwgasmTW

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 17, 2025

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The 2024/25 FA Cup quarter-final draw took place on Sunday, March 2, 2025, following Fulham’s dramatic victory over Manchester United in the fifth round.

The draw, conducted by former United defender Denis Irwin and ex-Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy, has set up some exciting matchups for the next stage of the competition.

Quarter-Final Draw Highlights:

• Manchester City face a challenging away fixture against Bournemouth, a team in fine form under Andoni Iraola.
• Aston Villa will travel to Preston North End, who earned their spot by knocking out Burnley in the previous round.
• Fulham, fresh off their penalty shootout triumph over United at Old Trafford, will meet Crystal Palace in an all-London clash.
• Brighton & Hove Albion await the winner of the Nottingham Forest vs. Ipswich Town fifth-round tie.

FA Cup Quarter-Final Schedule

The quarterfinal matches are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, March 29, 2025. The confirmed teams in the last eight are:
Preston North End
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace
Fulham (defeated Manchester United)
Brighton & Hove Albion
AFC Bournemouth
Manchester City
Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town

FA Cup quarter-final draw

FA Cup Prize Money

Each quarterfinal winner will receive £450,000 from the competition’s prize fund and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

The road to Wembley is heating up—who do you think will go all the way? ⚽🏆

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• FA Cup: Fourth round draw, fixtures, date

The English FA Cup organizers have announced the fourth-round fixtures, following the conclusion of the third round and the draw held on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Manchester United will host Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City at Old Trafford, while Plymouth takes on Premier League leaders Liverpool at home. Newcastle United are set to travel to Birmingham City, and Manchester City will face the winner of the Leyton Orient vs. Derby County tie.

A notable Premier League clash will see Brighton go head-to-head with Chelsea in one of the round’s standout fixtures.

See the full FA Cup fourth round fixtures;

Manchester United v Leicester
Leeds v Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge
Brighton v Chelsea
Preston or Charlton v Wycombe
Exeter City v Nottingham Forest
Coventry City v Ipswich Town
Blackburn v Wolves
Mansfield or Wigan v Fulham
Birmingham City v Newcastle
Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool
Everton v Bournemouth
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Southampton v Burnley
Leyton Orient or Derby v Manchester City
Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace
Stoke City v Cardiff City

When is the fourth round fixtures ?

The games will be played on the weekend of February 7 to 10, 2025

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The draw for the 2024/25 FA Cup third round, conducted at Old Trafford, has set up a series of intriguing fixtures, headlined by reigning champions Manchester United facing off against Arsenal, the competition’s historic giants.

The clash between the two Premier League titans, scheduled for January, immediately captured attention and elicited audible reactions from the audience present at the venue.

In another high-profile tie, Manchester City will host Salford City, the League Two side co-owned by Manchester United’s Class of ’92, including Gary Neville. With City currently navigating a challenging phase, their readiness for the third round remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, league leaders Liverpool, widely regarded as one of Europe’s best teams this season, have drawn League Two’s Accrington Stanley, and Chelsea will travel to face Morecambe from the lower divisions.

2024/25 FA Cup third-round draw in full

• Southampton vs Swansea City
• Arsenal vs Manchester United
• Exeter City vs Oxford United
• Leyton Orient vs Derby County
• Reading vs Burnley
• Aston Villa vs West Ham
• Norwich City vs Brighton
• Man City vs Salford
• Millwall vs Dagenham and Redbridge
• Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley
• Bristol City vs Wolves
• Preston North End vs Charlton
• Chelsea vs Morecambe
• Bournemouth vs West Brom
• Mansfield Town vs Wigan
• Tamworth vs Tottenham
• Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers
• Sunderland vs Stoke
• Leicester vs QPR
• Brentford vs Plymouth
• Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday
• Newcastle vs Bromley
• Everton vs Peterborough United
• Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth
• Birmingham City vs Lincoln City
• Leeds United vs Harrogate Town
• Nottingham Forest vs Luton
• Sheffield United vs Cardiff City
• Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers
• Fulham vs Watford
• Crystal Palace vs Stockport
• Middlesbrough vs Blackburn

All second-round ties were concluded across the last weekend of November. As is tradition in a tournament dating back to the Victorian era, the third round of fixtures will be contested at the start of January.

While specific dates and kick-off times will finalised in due course, all fixtures will take place on the weekend of Saturday, 11 January 2025.

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has delivered encouraging news regarding Christopher Nkunku’s fitness ahead of the FA Cup clash against Manchester City.

Nkunku’s debut season at Stamford Bridge has been marred by injuries, which have limited his appearances for the Blues. However, Pochettino has revealed that the young Frenchman has resumed training with the team, raising hopes for his potential return to action before the conclusion of the season.

Speaking to the media, the Chelsea boss said: “They assess him day by day and now in the last few days, he has the possibility to be involved in some parts of the training session.

“We now need to see the reaction of his body and then how he is going to evolve. We hope we can involve him and he will be involved as soon as possible, or before the end of the season.”

Chelsea has felt the absence of the French striker keenly, particularly in their struggles to consistently find the net, with the exception of Cole Palmer. Since his high-profile £52 million ($66m) transfer from RB Leipzig last summer as part of a significant overhaul at Stamford Bridge, Christopher Nkunku has only featured nine times for the Blues this season.

Although Chelsea remains optimistic about Nkunku’s potential return before the season’s end, his absence has been notably felt, especially as they prepare for their upcoming FA Cup semi-final clash against Manchester City on Saturday, April 20.

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Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea fans to rally behind the team following the incident where Raheem Sterling was subjected to booing during their FA Cup victory.

Despite facing adversity, the Blues emerged victorious with a thrilling 4-2 win over Leicester City in injury time, courtesy of goals from substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke.

Although Leicester staged a comeback from a two-goal deficit and had defender Callum Doyle sent off in the second half, Chelsea faced challenges, particularly with Raheem Sterling missing crucial opportunities, including a first-half penalty and a one-on-one chance with Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk.

A disappointing free-kick attempt further led to some Chelsea fans expressing their frustration by booing the star winger during the match.

Pochettino’s call for support underscores the importance of backing the team as they navigate challenges on the pitch.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, the Argentine said: “We need to support him, he’s an amazing player. He has more than 10 years experience in the Premier League. Of course I think the contribution was good. He was a little bit unlucky with some actions where he should have scored. But we are a team and we need to be there for everyone.

“Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us we try to emphasise with our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players. But we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something.

“We are in a process to build the team. I know really well how to manage. What the fans want is to win the game and that we achieved. What the fans want is to go to Wembley and that we achieved. They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club.

“We need to respect their opinion as much as they need to respect my decision.”

Despite the tense conclusion to the game, Mauricio Pochettino will draw many positives from his team’s triumph. The win not only sustains the Blues’ aspirations of clinching silverware this season but also propels them into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

With the victory secured, Raheem Sterling will have an opportunity to take a break and focus on regaining his form, as Chelsea’s next fixture won’t occur until after the international break. Sterling’s recent decline in performance has also been a concern for Gareth Southgate, who has refrained from selecting the 29-year-old for the national team in recent times.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp couldn’t conceal his frustration following his team’s 4-3 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

In a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday, Liverpool was ousted from the FA Cup by their fierce rivals, Manchester United, in a match filled with twists and turns. The Red Devils staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 4-3 victory after extra time, securing a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Klopp’s demeanor after the game reflected his disappointment, and he abruptly ended an interview with Scandinavian television due to his annoyance with the line of questioning.

klopp just walked out of his interview with scandinavian tv in a huff pic.twitter.com/4ZwmBfDQPb

— Richard Williams (@RichALWilliams) March 17, 2024

Manchester United’s triumph effectively dashes Liverpool’s hopes of clinching four trophies this season, a significant blow in what is Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign as manager of the Reds. Despite still being in contention in the Premier League and the Europa League, Liverpool’s dream of a quadruple has been extinguished, and Klopp will not lead his team to another trip to Wembley before he departs in the summer.

Following their FA Cup exit, Liverpool will now have an opportunity to regroup during the international break. Klopp’s side will resume action on March 31st against Brighton at Anfield in the Premier League.

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