FA Cup: Holders Man United Exits to Fulham In Penalty Shootout; Brighton Edges Past Newcastle
In a thrilling day of FA Cup action, Manchester United faced a disheartening exit at the hands of Fulham, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Brighton & Hove Albion advanced to the quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United’s struggles continued as they were eliminated from the tournament they held last season. The match saw the Red Devils trail at halftime after Calvin Bassey headed home from a corner just before the break. Bruno Fernandes equalized in the 71st minute with a superb finish from Diogo Dalot’s cross, but the drama unfolded in the penalty shootout. Fulham’s Bernd Leno emerged as the hero, saving spot-kicks from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee, allowing Fulham to convert all four of their penalties.
The defeat adds to United’s woes this season, leaving them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. Manager Ruben Amorim faced mounting pressure following the disappointing performance, which comes amid a week of job cuts and fan unrest directed at the club’s ownership.
Meanwhile, at St James’ Park, Brighton’s Danny Welbeck secured a thrilling extra-time victory against Newcastle. The match kicked off with Newcastle taking an early lead through Alexander Isak’s penalty, awarded after Yankuba Minteh fouled Tino Livramento. However, Brighton equalized just before halftime when Minteh scored with a deflected shot against his former club.
The second half saw both teams reduced to ten men, with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon sent off for violent conduct and Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey receiving a second yellow card. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Brighton pressed on, and Welbeck clinched the victory in the 114th minute, finishing a brilliant pass from Solly March.
Brighton’s triumph marks a significant moment as they reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in three seasons, while Newcastle’s hopes for silverware remain elusive. With both teams showcasing resilience and determination, the FA Cup continues to deliver unforgettable moments as the tournament progresses.
