FA Cup: Fifth Round Draw Review

Here we take a look at the draw in full for the fifth round of the 2025/26 FA Cup, whilst also reflecting on the action from matches from round four of this season’s competition.

Ahead of the 2025/26 FA Cup Fourth Round fixture between Premier League Brentford and National League North outfit Macclesfield, the eagerly awaited draw for the fifth round of this season’s FA Cup was officially made on Monday evening.

There have been a number of ‘cupsets’ in this season’s tournament so far. Surprise results are one of the best qualities of the FA Cup, with it being football’s oldest cup competition in the world, and it still captures the imagination of football fans with how enthralling matches are, and of course, the unpredictability.

The standout ‘cupset’ saw the aforementioned Macclesfield of the sixth tier of English Football get the better of and knockout Premier League side and current FA Cup holders Crystal Palace. The Silkmen were able to win 2 – 1 thanks to the goals of Club Captain Paul Dawson (43’) and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (60’).

Yeremy Pino was the only goal scorer for Palace via a free-kick in the final moments of the match at Moss Rose.

Now, with the fifth round of the 2025/26 FA Cup set to get underway in March, clubs across the country will want to take a step closer to reaching the Final at Wembley in May 2026. And there will be much anticipation around the results, and there may well be some more ‘cupsets’ to come in this season’s competition.

Below is the 2025/26 FA Cup Fifth Round Draw in full after it was made on Monday evening ahead of Macclesfield vs Brentford:

–          Fulham (Premier League) vs. Southampton (Championship).

–          Port Vale (League One) OR Bristol City (Championship) vs. Sunderland (Premier League).

–          Newcastle United (Premier League) vs. Manchester City (Premier League).

–          Leeds United (Premier League) vs. Norwich City (Championship).

–          Mansfield Town (League One) vs. Arsenal (Premier League).

–          Wolves (Premier League) vs. Liverpool (Premier League).

–          Wrexham (Championship) vs. Chelsea (Premier League).

–          West Ham United (Premier League) vs. Brentford (Premier League).

Below, we take a look at some of the standout results of the fourth round that took place in football stadiums across the country.

Arsenal (Premier League) 4 – 0 Wigan Athletic (League One)

The first standout result that we are taking a deeper look at is Arsenal’s ruthless and commanding 4 – 0 triumph over League One club Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium in North London. The Gunners, who lead the way in the Premier League at the moment, ensured that the tie was over before half time.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened the scoring through Noni Madueke with just over ten minutes having gone (11’), before his fellow forward Gabriel Martinelli doubled the Gunners’ advantage just a few moments later (19’).

Then, an own goal from Wigan defender Jack Hunt made it 3 – 0 to Arsenal a few minutes later (23’), and it was already 4 – 0 when Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net before the game had even reached the 30th minute (27’).

Stoke City (Championship) 1 – 2 Fulham (Premier League)

The next tie that we are taking a deeper look at is the tie between Championship outfit Stoke City and Marco Silva’s Fulham, with this fourth round tie being played at the Bet365 Stadium, the home of Mark Robins’ Stoke side.

It was a comeback victory for the Cottagers. Silva’s Fulham went one goal down when Bae Jun-Ho gave the hosts the lead early in the first half (19’), before two goals in the second half from the likes of Kevin (55’) and Harrison Reed (84’) gave Fulham the win.

Liverpool (Premier League) 3 – 0 Brighton (Premier League)

We are now taking a deeper look at Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who took on fellow Premier League side Brighton in the 2025/26 FA Cup Fourth Round tie at Anfield. In the end, it was to be a very comfortable and commanding 3 – 0 triumph at home for the Reds, who seamlessly progressed into the fifth round.

Liverpool academy graduate Curtis Jones gave the hosts the lead late on in the first half (42’), before Dominik Szoboszlai doubled his side’s advantage just moments into the second half (56’).

Club legend Mohamed Salah then put the victory and the game beyond doubt when he scored from the penalty spot with just over twenty minutes of the game to go on Merseyside (68’).

Aston Villa (Premier League) 1 – 3 Newcastle United (Premier League)

We now move on to the game at Villa Park in the Fourth Round of the 2025/26 FA Cup, where Unai Emery’s Aston Villa took on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in B6.

Tammy Abraham scored his first goal since his return to Villa to give his side the lead early in the first half (14’), before Villa Goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off in first half stoppage time (45+1’).

Then, goals in the second half from Sandro Tonali (63’, 76’) and Nick Woltemade (88’) sealed a 3 – 1 victory for Newcastle, with the Magpies officially sealing their place in the Fifth Round.

Manchester City (Premier League) 2 – 0 Salford City (League Two)

Manchester City found themselves facing League Two outfit Salford City once again in the FA Cup this season at the Etihad Stadium. This game saw Pep Guardiola’s side seal what was a routine and comfortable 2 – 0 win for the Cityzens.

Goals for hosts City came via an own goal from Salford defender Alfie Dorrington (6’), whilst the home side got their second and final goal of the game through Marc Guehi, who scored his first goal for City late on in the second half of this game (81’).