Dominic Booth

FA Cup fifth round: talking points from the weekend’s action Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha staked their claim for more game time while Fulham paid for a lack of ambition Port Vale have only ever reached the last eight of the FA Cup once before in their entire history, in 1953-54, when they went one stage further, losing the semi-final at Villa Park 2-1 to West Brom thanks to a much-disputed winning goal. If only VAR had been present then, you might say. In their fifth-round victory over Sunderland this weekend, they were also unfortunate despite the presence of technology. Why was referee Anthony Taylor not asked to go and check the TV monitor when George Hall was cynically taken out by the Sunderland goalkeeper Melkor Ellberg, just outside the penalty area with the match on a knife-edge? Even if the striker’s run was going away from goal, he surely had the pace to have got a shot away. Let’s hope VAR give the remaining lower-division teams fair shrift when it comes to the rest of the competition. Peter Lansley Match report: Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland Match report: Mansfield Town 1-2 Arsenal Match report: Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City Match report: Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea (aet) Match report: Wolves 1-3 Liverpool Match report: Fulham 0-1 Southampton Continue reading...

FA Cup fifth round: talking points from the weekend’s action

Liverpool and Manchester United want offensive posts on X by the AI chatbot Grok that reference Hillsborough, the Munich air disaster and Diogo Jota's death to be removed.

Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⬇️

🔗www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland: FA Cup fifth round – live reaction Join Dominic Booth for reaction after Ben Waine’s goal helped League One’s bottom side stun their top-flight opponents at Vale Park

www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

Andre Gray before the game: "It's possible, it's always possible."

It was more than possible – Port Vale did that fairly comfortably! Pleased for them.

Andre Gray’s pedigree preps Port Vale for Sunderland test on unlikely FA Cup run Veteran striker who played in 2019 final brings experience to League One club in fifth round for first time in 30 years

Caught up with Port Vale boss Jon Brady yesterday, as well as Andre Gray, whose experience could help them upset Sunderland tomorrow www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Seems like you’re trying to mock Tudor.

Welcome to the Premier League: If you like incessant stoppages, this really is the place for you.

Went well.

What's a more extreme version of Spursy?

This is absolutely ludicrous hitting from Samson. Brook with the costliest drop in T20 WC history?

Post-Newcastle rant/discussion/analysis – delete as applicable. Full pod out now #mufc

Yep

A horrid second half, but this referee man. Given a million soft fouls in Newcastle’s favour. #mufc

Tactics versus the 10 men haven’t been great. Maybe it’s the personnel in midfield but United have lacked control. #mufc

Shouldn’t Joelinton get a second yellow for that sarcastic applause? Akin to Dalot at Anfield a year or two ago. Ref has completely lost control here. #mufc

And then he books Mbeumo for a lot less 🤦

Why isn’t that a yellow card for Thiaw? #mufc

Leeds v Sunderland has been a very challenging watch. Turgid game.

Senne Lammens is incredible. Brilliant performance.

Ready for the headspinning job of the clocko!

Angelo Stiller has absolutely bossed this game for Stuttgart at Celtic. One to watch re United in the summer, for sure. #mufc

That Newcastle penalty decision is absolutely ridiculous. Where is he supposed to put his arm?

‘It fills my heart’: Andrews lauds Macclesfield for their dream FA Cup adventure * Brentford coach praises non-league side’s advances * Manager John Rooney proud of Macclesfield’s efforts Keith Andrews made a beeline for the Macclesfield dressing room after Brentford’s fourth-round FA Cup victory at Moss Rose and told John Rooney and his players they had been immense against his Premier League charges. The Brentford head coach said footballing journeys like the one Macclesfield have enjoyed since their rebirth “fills my heart” as he waxed lyrical about the true test his team were given by the National League North outfit. Continue reading...

‘It fills my heart’: Andrews lauds Macclesfield for their dream FA Cup adventure

Macclesfield’s fairytale FA Cup run ended by Heathcote’s own goal against Brentford The National League North side lost 1-0 after Sam Heathcote’s own goal as Brentford set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie at West Ham

Report: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Gah. Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford. A mighty fine effort from the non-league side, who finish their FA Cup campaign on an aggregate 2-2 scoreline v Premier League sides. Bees just about deserved it but given a real test.

I’m at Macclesfield for @sport.theguardian.com again to see if lightning can strike twice in the FA Cup. Could be a fun one.

Oh and they have Bergvall, Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr, Bissouma, Gallagher and Gray in midfield too. And one of the best CBs in the league in Van de Ven. And a decent GK in Vicario.

They probably won't but imagine if a Spurs squad (and I know some are injured) with forward options of Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus, Richarlison, Simons, Solanke, Kolo Muani, Tel and Odobert go down... would be madness.

Seven goals in 13 starts all comps, five in his last six games (mostly as a sub). For most strikers this would be called red-hot form... #mufc

That Sesko finish is absolutely ridiculous you know. Wonder when the 'he's struggled' narrative will dissipate. He's doing fine. #mufc