Full Breakdown
FA Cup Fourth Round: Premier League Teams Dominate
2/16/2026, 10:41:04 PM
Arsenal's Commanding Victory Over Wigan
Arsenal showcased their dominance in the FA Cup fourth round with a decisive 4-0 victory against Wigan Athletic. The Gunners scored all four goals within the first 27 minutes, effectively extinguishing any hopes of an upset. Eberechi Eze was instrumental, providing assists for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli's goals. An own goal from Wigan's Jack Hunt and a fourth from Gabriel Jesus solidified Arsenal's place in the fifth round. This win marks Arsenal's first progression to the fifth round since their last FA Cup triumph in 2020.
Leeds United Advances via Penalty Shootout
Leeds United faced a tense encounter against Birmingham City, which ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time. Leeds took the lead through Lukas Nmecha, but Birmingham equalized late in the match with a powerful strike from Patrick Roberts. The match proceeded to penalties, where Leeds converted all their attempts, while Birmingham's Tommy Doyle had his shot saved, and Roberts missed, allowing Leeds to advance 4-2.
Manchester City Overcomes Salford City
Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory against Salford City, with an own goal from Salford's Alfie Dorrington and a late tap-in from Marc Guehi sealing the win. City dominated the match but faced a controversial moment when Omar Marmoush's goal was disallowed for offside, a decision that would have been overturned with VAR, which is not utilized until the fifth round of the competition.
Liverpool's Resurgence Against Brighton
Liverpool rebounded from a recent slump with a 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. Mohamed Salah played a pivotal role, scoring a penalty and assisting Dominik Szoboszlai's goal. The win marked a significant turnaround for Liverpool, who are now looking to build momentum as they continue their pursuit of silverware across multiple competitions.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Survive Grimsby Mud Bath
Wolverhampton Wanderers faced challenging conditions in their match against Grimsby Town, winning 1-0 on a waterlogged pitch. Santiago Bueno's second-half goal was enough to secure the victory, allowing Wolves to progress despite the difficult playing conditions that hindered both teams' performances.
VAR Controversies Highlighted
The absence of VAR in the FA Cup fourth round has reignited debates about its effectiveness. In the match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United, several controversial decisions were made, including a missed red card and an offside goal. Critics argue that the lack of VAR led to significant officiating errors, while others contend that the human element of refereeing should remain intact. The contrasting experiences of matches with and without VAR have sparked discussions about the future of officiating in football.
Conclusion: Premier League Teams Maintain Dominance
The fourth round of the FA Cup saw Premier League teams largely avoid upsets, with Arsenal, Leeds, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Wolverhampton Wanderers all advancing to the next stage. The results underscore the competitive disparity between top-flight clubs and lower-league teams, while the ongoing discussions about VAR highlight the complexities of officiating in modern football. As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to the upcoming fifth-round draw, where the potential for exciting matchups looms large.
