In the FA Cup Round of 16, Manchester City showed their strength by coming from behind to beat Newcastle United 3–1 away, reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals for the eighth consecutive season.
This was the fifth meeting between the two teams this season. After losing away in the first Premier League encounter, City went on to beat Newcastle in both legs of the League Cup semi-final, the second Premier League meeting, and this FA Cup clash, completing a “four-win sweep” with an overall record of four wins and one loss.
Savinho Equalizes, Marmoush Scores a Brace
In the 18th minute, Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes scored in a one-on-one situation to give the home side an early lead. Manchester City responded in the 39th minute when Jérémy Doku broke through on the left and delivered a cross, allowing Savinho to bundle the ball into the net at close range to equalize.
Just two minutes into the second half, City striker Omar Marmoush struck from the back post to put his team ahead. In the 65th minute, he scored again with a superb long-range effort, completing his brace and sealing the victory for Manchester City.
Chelsea Survives Extra Time Against Wrexham
In another match, Chelsea defeated Championship side Wrexham 4–2 after extra time on the road. Wrexham, co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, has risen rapidly from non-league football to the Championship in just four years, becoming one of football’s most remarkable stories.
Wrexham took the lead twice during the match, with goals from Smith in the 18th minute and Doyle in the 78th minute. However, Chelsea managed to push the game into extra time thanks to an own goal forced by Garnacho in the 40th minute and a strike from Acheampong in the 82nd minute.
Wrexham midfielder Dobson was sent off in stoppage time (90+3). With a numerical advantage in extra time, Chelsea scored through Garnacho’s close-range finish in the 96th minute before João Pedro sealed the win in the 120+5 minute, completing the comeback.
After the match, Garnacho said, “It’s an incredible victory and one of the toughest matches we’ve played this season.”
Arsenal Edge Mansfield as 16-Year-Old Makes History
Meanwhile, Premier League leaders Arsenal secured a narrow 2–1 away win against League One side Mansfield to reach the quarter-finals. In the 41st minute, Noni Madueke opened the scoring for Arsenal. However, a defensive mistake in the 50th minute allowed Mansfield’s Evans to equalize.
In the 66th minute, Eze broke free inside the box and fired home to restore Arsenal’s lead and ultimately secure the victory.
Notably, Arsenal rotated nine players in the starting lineup, including two 16-year-old youngsters, Dowman and Salmon. Dowman, aged 16 years and 66 days, became the youngest player in Arsenal’s history to appear in the FA Cup.
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the two young players, saying, “They both have great personality and talent. We are incredibly proud of their debut.”
With several matches concluded, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal have all secured their places in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
As the tournament enters its more intense knockout stages, clashes between Premier League giants are expected to become even more thrilling, with fans eagerly awaiting who will ultimately lift this historic trophy.
