FA Cup 2025-26 wrap: Sunderland stunned by third division Port Vale; late goal helps Southampton past Fulham

Sunderland suffered an embarrassing FA Cup fifth round exit against third division Port Vale, while Championship side Southampton stunned Fulham on Sunday.

Sunderland have had an impressive first season in the Premier League, but this was a dismal defeat for the Regis Le Bris side.

Ben Waine, a boyhood fan of Sunderland’s arch-rivals Newcastle, took advantage of a poor scoreline to score the winner in the 28th minute, sending Port Vale to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.

Jon Brady’s side looked destined for relegation but defeated second-tier Bristol City in the fourth round and produced an even more remarkable performance, making a mockery of the 56-place gap between themselves and Sunderland.

The mammoth killing will delight the club’s most famous fan, pop star Robbie Williams, who grew up near their Vale Park stadium in Burslem and is now president of the club.

It was also a memorable moment for Brady, a 50-year-old Australian who replaced the sacked Darren Moore in January and has spent his managerial career in the shadows at Brackley and Northampton.

“I’m trying to let it sink in right now. It was great from the guys, we had to suffer at times,” Brady said.

“I couldn’t believe we were in the last 16. Lihat juga cvvd. I accidentally told my kids we were in the last 32.

“It’s fun to make history, isn’t it!”

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‘You see how much it means’

At Craven Cottage, Ross Stewart’s ice-cold penalty in stoppage time sealed Southampton’s 1-0 defeat.

It was a bitter loss for Fulham manager Marco Silva, who paid the price for a selection gamble that backfired.

Silva made nine substitutions following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Ham in the Premier League earlier this week, but his substitutions failed to deliver the desired result.

Southampton won the match in the opening minute of stoppage time when Finn Azaz was fouled by Fulham defender Joachim Andersen and Stewart drilled his penalty past Benjamin Lecomte.

Last season he was relegated from the Premier League and has reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2022.

Southampton’s success was a fitting tribute to the biggest day in the club’s history.

The players wore a commemorative yellow kit to mark 50 years since they wore the same shirts when Bobby Stokes’ sealed second division side Southampton won the shock FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley in 1976.

Southampton’s current crop still has a long way to go to match the achievements of Lawrie McMenemy’s men.

But Tonda Eckert’s side are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions and are chasing FA Cup glory and a place in the Championship play-offs.

“You see how much it means to the club,” Eckert said. “It has been fifty years since we last won the prize.

“When we arrive at the coach and you look and the whole street is full of Southampton fans and behind the goal is full of Southampton fans, then you can definitely say we feel the importance of it.”

Later on Sunday, Leeds host second division Norwich, while West Ham play Brentford on Monday.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have booked their quarter-final places on Friday and Saturday.

Published on March 8, 2026