The FA Cup quarter-finals have been drawn, with a blockbuster clash between Manchester City and Liverpool the standout tie of the highly-anticipated quarter-finals.
The draw took place prior to the final fixture in this weekend’s fifth-round matches, with West Ham hosting Premier League rivals Brentford this evening.
Neutrals will have been left delighted when former Chelsea star Joe Cole and ex-England shotstopper Joe Hart picked seven-time winners Manchester City to play Liverpool.
The Cityzens triumphed in the fifth round over Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday, with an Omar Marmoush brace and bizarre Savinho finish cancelling out Harvey Barnes’ early opener for the hosts.
The tie will be held at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to lift the trophy for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
Liverpool, on the other hand, overcame Premier League strugglers Wolves on Friday.
Goals from Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones put Rob Edwards’ side to the sword, despite the fact Wolves had actually beaten the Reds at the Molineux in the Premier League merely days earlier.
Liverpool are without an FA Cup since 2022.
When the two sides meet, it often results in fireworks. Last month, City edged a feisty encounter at Anfield, when Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland goals cancelled out a sublime Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick. The Hungarian was later controversially sent off seconds from time.
Omar Marmoush’s brace against Newcastle sent Manchester City through to the quarter-finals, where they face Liverpool
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Curtis Jones capped off Liverpool’s impressive display against Wolves in the fifth round
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In the other all-Premier League tie, the winner’s of the Monday evening fixture between West Ham and Brentford will host Leeds United.
Daniel Farke’s side cruised past his old friends at Norwich City on Sunday evening with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Despite making nine changes from the team that lost against Sunderland in midweek, goals from Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Joel Piroe ensured the West Yorkshire side reached their first FA Cup quarter-final in 23 years.
Elsewhere, Championship side Southampton will host Premier League table-toppers Arsenal, who remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple.
Leeds reached their first FA Cup quarter-final in 23 years after their 3-0 victory over Norwich
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On Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s men overcame a sturdy Mansfield Town. Two clinical finishes from Noni Madueke and super-sub Eberechi Eze ensured the Gunners avoided a humiliating cup exit to a team currently sat 16th in League One.
Meanwhile, Southampton produced one of the shocks of the weekend, knocking out Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Former Sunderland star Ross Stewart struck a 91st minute penalty to send the Saints through.
In the final tie, League One Port Vale, the lowest side remaining in the tournament currently sitting bottom of League One, find themselves travelling to Champions League-chasing Chelsea after an inspirational cup campaign.
Port Vale produced the shock of the weekend, knocking Sunderland out courtesy of a Ben Waine header
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The Valients beat a strong Sunderland side over the weekend, thanks to a first half Ben Waine header.
A late Black Cats onslaught could not break down the intrepid Port Vale defence, who have now reached only their second-ever FA Cup quarter-final – their first in 72 years.
Chelsea, meanwhile, had their work cut out for them at high-flying Wrexham. With the game poised at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the Racecourse Ground got behind their local heroes as they valiantly fought into extra-time.
Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto in the additional 30 minutes, though, prevented Rosenior and his Chelsea side an early exit.
While his tenure at Stamford Bridge has got off to an encouraging start, stuttering league form and a disappointing cup exit would have left many questions for the former Strasbourg head coach, who is instead now looking to get the Blues to their first semi-final since 2023/24.
Matches will take place over the weekend of 4-5 April.
