FA Cup Fourth Round – Saturday Wrap-Up | OneFootball

Let’s see how our Friday predictions turned out, shall we?

Leeds United 0 – 2 Millwall

Prediction: Leeds United 2 – Millwall 0Well, well. Fifteen years in the waiting, Millwall finally won away at Leeds. All courtesy of Oluwafemi “Femi” Azeez, a relatively unknown Reading academy graduate who moved over to Millwall in August of last year. His brace launched the Lions into the Fifth Round, and anyone who saw his first goal is still trying to determine the physics of that shot that saw (I swear) a double swerve before it hit the net. Millwall keeper Liam Roberts deserved kudos for some outstanding saves, including a PK stop in the 59th minute.

Leyton Orient 1 – 2 Manchester City

Prediction: Leyton Orient 1 – 4 Manchester CityI am not going to lie… I was really hoping to be proven wrong with this one. And at 15 minutes, one of those FA Cup legendary moments occurred when Jamie Donley instinctively popped a chip from 45 yards out, improbably beating a backtracking Stefan Ortega. Of course the statistical humbugs credited it as an own goal to the City keeper. In the second half, City found their equalizer off an Abdukodir Khusanov deflection from a Rico Lewis shot in the 56th minute. Kevin de Bruyne, coming on as a sub, slipped in a slow-motion winner off his extended right foot in the 78th to quiet the potential giant-killers.

Coventry City 1 – 4 Ipswich Town

Prediction: Coventry City 1-1 Ipswich Town (Ipswich wins in PKs)It only took 20 seconds for Ipswich to get on the front foot when Sam Szmodics was brought down in the box, George Hirst converting the spot kick. Seven minutes later Joel Latibeaudiere’s equalizer gave the hosts some brief hope, but this was effectively quelled by the half-time whistle when they were down 3-1. If ever there was a club in need of a win, it was Ipswich. Now can they translate this into the PL?

Everton 0 – 2 AFC Bournemouth

Prediction: Everton 1 – 3 AFC BournemouthI’m gonna get on my pedestal and crow about nailing the GD spread, but more importantly, I called the Cherries. Oh, was that Semenyo drawing a penalty? Are you surprised? I was surprised to see him take the kick, given how ruthless Justin Kluivert normally is but he hammered it home. Frankly, it was a limp showing from the Toffees in Goodison’s Park FA Cup farewell.

Preston North End 0 (4) – 0 (2)  Wycombe Wanderers

​​Prediction: Preston North End 3 – 2 Wycombe Wanderers (a.e.t.)A real “draw”n out affair, pardon my pun. Neither team put one in during regulation or extra time, though Preston always had a greater air of menace. Both keepers made lovely saves to keep the sheets clean, and in the end it was Preston’s Freddie Woodman who registered two PK stops to be the hero of the match.

Southampton 0 – 1 Burnley

Prediction: Southampton 0 – 3 BurnleyIt took two blocked shots with favorable bounces, but Burnley’s Marcus Edwards finally pummeled the ball into the net from three yards out to settle this one. Southampton’s miserable season continues to slog along.

Stoke City 3 (2) – 3 (4) Cardiff City

​​Prediction: Stoke City 1 – 1 Cardiff City (no call here.)Hey… I predicted a draw. That has to count for something. Right? Yeah, not really. This was a real barnstormer of a match. Cardiff’s Ruben Colwill and Stoke’s Lewis Koumas each had a brace, with all six goals coming before the 70th minute. The remaining 50 minutes saw only yellow cards. In the PKs, it was Ethan Horvath’s fantastic fingertip save to deny Michael Rose that proved the decider.

Wigan Athletic 1 – 2 Fulham

Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1 – 0 FulhamRodrigo Muniz did not waste Ryan Sessegnon’s delicious cross in the 23rd minute, heading it home. He was similarly ruthless with Andreas Pereira’s through ball early in the second half, this time with his right foot. In between, Wigan’s Jonny Smith hit an absolute screamer, but they couldn’t claw back any others.

Birmingham City 2 – 3 Newcastle United

Prediction: Birmingham City 0 – 3 Newcastle UnitedI watched this in a diner eating an omelette that was the size of an SUV. The feed was fuzzy, but regardless of video fidelity, the urgency and passion on the pitch shone true. There were 23 fouls blown, every one of those rugged and bone-jarring, and 7 yellow cards issued. There was significant controversy over whether Newcastle’s first goal crossed the line. I know we can’t have VAR, but surely they can have the goal-line tech?

Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – 1 Chelsea

Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 3 – 2 ChelseaSorry Chelsea. You’re going home. That’s what I wrote on Friday. We figured the keeper error would come from Chelsea, but it was Bart Verbruggen who fumbled Cole Palmer’s misfired cross into his own net in the 5th minute. To Brighton’s credit, they remained unfazed and earned the equalizer only moments later off Georgino Rutter’s head. A fine bit of skill from Kaoru Mitoma gave the Seagulls a lead, and with Chelsea’s poor form there was no hint they would threaten it.