Port Vale pulled off one of the FA Cup’s great giant-killing acts this afternoon, dumping Premier League Sunderland out of the competition with a brilliant 1-0 victory at Vale Park.
Ben Waine’s header in the 28th minute proved the difference, sending the League One basement club into the quarter-finals for the first time since they reached the semi-finals back in 1954.
It’s also their first triumph over top-flight opposition in three decades, when they beat Everton in the fourth round.
Remarkably, Waine’s goal was Vale’s only shot on target all match, but nobody inside the ground cared one bit as wild celebrations erupted at full-time.
Port Vale star Ben Waine scored the only goal to down Sunderland
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Waine, a New Zealand international whose mother’s family comes from the north east of England, is actually a lifelong Newcastle supporter, which makes his heroics against Sunderland all the sweeter.
The striker had already been the hero just five days earlier, netting the winner that knocked Bristol City out in the previous round.
For Jon Brady’s side, this cup run has been a rare bright spot in what’s been a miserable campaign otherwise.
Port Vale are celebrating their 150th anniversary this season, but they’re currently rock bottom of League One, sitting 11 points adrift of safety.
Sunderland, two-time FA Cup winners, had fielded a squad worth more than £150 million, making just two changes from the team that defeated Leeds in midweek to climb to 11th in the Premier League.
Yet they squandered their chance to reach the last eight for the first time since 1974.
Port Vale, who are bottom of League One, celebrated wildly after the victory
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Over at Craven Cottage, Southampton grabbed a dramatic late winner to knock out Fulham 1-0.
The match looked destined for extra-time until Republic of Ireland midfielder Finn Azaz stayed onside cleverly and was brought down by Joachim Andersen’s trailing boot.
Ross Stewart stepped up and fired the penalty low into the corner, sparking joyous scenes among the travelling Championship supporters.
Southampton star Ross Stewart’s late penalty saw off Fulham
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Fulham’s cause wasn’t helped by the absence of Harry Wilson, who missed out with an ankle injury picked up against Tottenham, while Marco Silva’s decision to make nine changes from their West Ham defeat clearly disrupted their rhythm.
At Elland Road, Leeds United enjoyed a far more straightforward afternoon, cruising past Norwich City 3-0 to book their spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2003.
Leeds swept past Norwich with ease in front of a raucous Elland Road
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Sean Longstaff and Gabriel Gudmundsson both found the net before half-time, with Joel Piroe wrapping things up late on.
Daniel Farke watched from the stands against his former club, serving a one-match ban following his red card against Manchester City.
