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The second weekend of February saw a break from Premier League action as the FA Cup returned to the English calendar for the fourth round of the historic tournament.
Teams such as Manchester City, Manchester United and Bournemouth secured their places in the next round, while sides like Liverpool, Tottenham, Leeds and Everton all crashed out.
Here’s a recap on what was another great few days of action.
Manchester United 2-1 Leicester
Manchester United kicked off the fourth round coming from behind to beat Leicester City.
It was a return to Old Trafford for Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who left as assistant manager in November following the sacking of Erik Ten Hag. He was appointed Leicester City boss on November 29th, after they sacked Steve Cooper.
His side took the lead in the 42nd minute, when Wilfred Ndidi had a low shot from close range. It was scrappy after the ball left his foot, as his shot seemed to be initially saved by Onana, only for the ball to deflect off Bobby Decordova-Reid’s head and into the back of the net.
New signing Patrick Dorgu’s debut was ended at half time, with the pacey wing-back being replaced by Alejandro Garnacho. This quickly led United to turn their fortunes around, and the Argentine came tantalisingly close as he chipped an effort over Hermansen, but Wilfred Okoli was waiting on the line to clear it off the line and onto the crossbar and away.
They couldn’t be kept out for long though, as again Garnacho caused problems down the left hand side. He found Hojlund at the front post, who cleverly flicked it towards the bottom corner. Wout Faes was there to block the effort, but a bad stroke of luck meant the ball found Joshua Zirkzee unmarked with an open net six yards out, and the Dutch striker was never going to miss.
Ruben Amorim’s side probed from there, winning a free kick in the 92nd minute. Bruno Fernandes floated a wonderful ball deep into the box, and former Leicester player Harry Maguire rose to meet it, and headed home to give United the lead in what was virtually the last kick of the game.
United can thank their lucky stars there’s no VAR in the FA Cup though, as replays show Maguire was clearly offside for his goal, something Ruben Amorim was happy to admit after the game. Despite his honesty, the Foxes will certainly feel hard done by, in another fatal blow for their season.
Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City
A second-half settler from Kevin De Bruyne was enough to see Manchester City advance to the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Despite the heavy rotation Pep Guardiola made before the game, which included a debut for Nico Gonzalez, City astoundingly went behind in the game 16 minutes. The Orient midfield hounded the debuting Spanish midfielder just past the halfway line, and Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley let fly from distance. A wonderful strike rocketed off the crossbar and off the back of a flailing Ortega to give the League One side the lead.
Donley provided more heroics for Leyton Orient later in the first half, where he prevented an effort from Bernardo Silva from going in off the line following a tantalising Jack Grealish cross to the Portugese midfielder.
The English champions weren’t to be kept out though, as the ball fell to Rico Lewis on the edge of the box in the second half. He let fly from distance, and his low but powerful shot rocketed off the back of new signing Abdukodir Khusanov and found its way into the bottom left hand corner. Despite Lewis’s effort, the goal was credited to the Uzbek, who opens his City account in just his 2nd game for the Citizens.
Pushing for a winner, City brought on Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne in the 72nd minute, with the Belgian midfielder taking the captain’s armband. Just 7 minutes later, he got on the end of a delicate Grealish ball over the top, and expertly lifted it over 21-year-old Josh Keeley to put City ahead.
Despite going behind, it was a simple enough game for the sky blues, who now turn their attention to a massive game against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Leeds United 0-2 Millwall
A brace from 23-year-old winger Femi Azeez was enough to cause an upset and send Millwall into the 5th round of the FA Cup.
The Lions currently sit 14th in the Championship, five points off the playoff spots and firmly out of contention for a spot in them at the moment. Leeds provide a form contrast to their situation, currently top of the Championship and one of the favourites to get promoted back to the Premier League after a couple of seasons away.
Despite naming a strong side with the likes of Wilfred Gnonto and Pascal Struijk, Leeds went behind on the half hour mark after Femi Azeez cut inside and sent a shot hurtling towards Karl Darlow. His shot was immediately blocked by former Wolfsburg midfielder Joshua Guilavogui, but sent the ball off to Darlow’s left and into the bottom right-hand corner to give Millwall the lead.
Azeez got another chance when Mihailo Ivanović nicked the ball off of Ethan Ampadu on the edge of the box. He laid it off to Azeez, who sent a powerful shot rocketing off the crossbar, and the rebound was marginally headed wide by Luke Cundle.
The Peacocks would continue to knock on the door from here, with wingers Sam Chambers and Largie Ramazani coming close and forcing a great saves from Liam Roberts.
Millwall dealt the fatal blow in the 55th minute, when they broke away on the counter attack with Azeez once again, who’s low shot into the bottom left hand corner beat Darlow to double their lead. It was a great breakaway from Azeez, but the experienced Darlow will surely be disappointed it past him at his near post.
Daniel Farke’s side were gifted a lifeline on the hour mark when Gnonto was brought down in the box by Luke Cundle and a penalty was awarded. Dutch defender Pascal Strijk stepped up, but Liam Roberts was equal to his effort that was heading into the bottom right-hand corner, and the score remained 0-2.
Leeds continued to probe but wouldn’t come close enough to trouble Roberts any further, as Millwall reach the 5th round for the first time in six years.
Preston 0-0 Wycombe (4-2 on penalties)
Preston North End beat Wycombe Wanderers on penalties to book their place in the 5th Round after a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes.
Both sides had good chances in the first 90 minutes of the game, with Ali McCann coming close for the home side in the first half when his shot was cleared off the line by Luke Leahy. Wycombe got a good chance in the second half where a fortunate ricochet fell to Beryly Lubala just inside the Preston box, but his low shot was saved by Freddie Woodman.
After 120 minutes, no breakthrough could be made by either side. After Preston converted their first two penalties, Daniel Udoh missed Wycombe’s second penalty to give the home side the advantage. Mads Frøkjær-Jensen scored to put PNE 3-1 up, only for Adam Reach to miss for Wycombe.
Ali McCann then missed what could have been the decider for Paul Heckingbottom’s side, but experienced midfielder Ched Evans scored a few minutes later to send the Lilywhites through.
Coventry City 1-4 Ipswich Town
Goals from George Hirst, Jack Clarke, and Jaden Philogene were enough to see Ipswich Town comfortably advance pastFrank Lampard’s Coventry City.
The Tractor Boy’s arrival into the Midlands was the second time Coventry had hosted a Premier League this season, as Tottenham picked up a 2-1 victory there last September in the Carabao Cup.
It was a quick lead for the visitors though, as Sammie Szmodics won a penalty in the first attack of the game. Former Leicester City striker George Hirst dispatched of it in only the second minute of the game.
There was a quick response from the hosts though, as Joel Latibeaudiere pulled his side level from a corner in the 8th minute, sending a firm header into the bottom left-hand corner.
The home side only kept affairs level for 20 minutes though, as George Hirst ran in behind and caused more problems before finding Jack Clarke on the edge of the box. The former Sunderland winger expertly brought the ball inside, finding room to let a shot fly and sinking the ball into the same spot Hirst put his penalty.
Ipswich were gifted another in the 37th minute when Scottish centre-half Lewis Binks gave the ball away in their own half in attempt to play out from the back. Nathan Broadhead, who replaced Sammie Szmodics in the 35th minute, set up Jack Clarke who calmly brought the ball under his control and slotted home to put his side 3-1 up.
Jack Rudoni thought he had pulled a goal back for Coventry in the 61st minute after heading home from close range, but the goal was quickly ruled out for offside.
It would be all said and done by the 63rd minute though, as Jack Clarke broke down the left-hand side and unselfishly squared the ball for Jaden Philogene, who slammed it into the top right hand corner to gain his first goal for the club since joining from Aston Villa 25 days ago.
Keiran McKenna’s side comfortably controlled the game from here, getting to the 5th Round and avoiding a 4th round exit unlike they did last season when they were shockingly eliminated by non-league side Maidstone United.
Southampton 0-1 Burnley
A late second half strike saw promotion-chasing Burnley advance past relegation-threatened Southampton.
Burnley gained the first great chance of the game as Manuel Benson broke down the left wing. He cut inside after taking it around Alex McCarthy, but new signing Wellington was there on the line to prevent the Belgian opening the scoring.
Southampton quickly got back int the game as wing-back Ryan Manning sent a shot flying at Hladký from just inside the box, but the former Ipswich ‘keeper denied the effort with his legs after a messy moment with Joe Worrall. The former Nottingham Forest captain redeemed himself moments later by blocking Tyler Dibling’s follow-up strike.
Manning got another chance in the second half when a quick throw caught the Clarets out. After being laid off by Tyler Dibling, his shot was saved by Hladký to deny the hosts the lead.
In the end, it was a scrappy goal that broke the deadlock, as Jeremy Sarmiento picked up the ball on the edge of the box and sent a shot flying towards McCarthy. His effort was blocked, but the ball looped over the top of the Southampton defence to Hannibal Mejbri, who found a debuting Marcus Edwards with an open goal. The former Sporting Lisbon winger tapped home, scoring his first goal since August.
It was another massively demoralising loss for the Saints, who now have little to play for this season. They sit bottom of the Premier League, 10 points from safety on just nine points and out of all cup competitions.
Wigan Athletic 1-2 Fulham
A Rodrigo Muniz brace helped Premier League side Fulham past League One side Wigan Athletic.
Despite naming an almost completely rotated side from the team that won 2-1 against Newcastle on the weekend, with only Timothy Castagne keeping his spot in the side at right-back, the Cottagers still had enough in them to seal a place in the Round of 16.
Fulham naturally started on the front foot, with Josh King coming close and forcing a good save from Sam Tickle. The side from West London broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute though when a cross from the left hand side by Ryan Sessegnon found Rodrigo Muniz at the backpost, and the Brazilian headed home for his 6th goal of the season.
Despite Fulham’s dominance, Wigan would keep it at a one goal deficit until half time. Their resilience would prove costly, as in the 50th minute Scouse winger Jonny Smith sent an incredible effort sailing into the top left-hand corner to pull the third tier side level.
The Lactics only kept affairs level for five minutes though, as Andreas Pereira clipped a ball over the top for Rodrigo Muniz to chase onto to. The Brazilian expertly tracked the ball through the air, let it bounce into the box before coolly sliding it under an airborne Sam Tickle to get Fulham back ahead.
Wigan were not done there though, as Jason Kerr, Ronan Darcy, Scott Smith and Owen Dale all came close for the hosts after Muniz’s goal, but forced some good saves out of Benta.
Shaun Maloney’s side thought they found a last-gasp equaliser in added time at the end of the game, but the offside flag denied Ronan Darcy from wheeling away in celebration.
This time last year, Fulham went crashing out of the tournament with a 2-0 loss against Newcastle. The last time they were knocked out in the 5th round was in 2017, when a Harry Kane hat-trick sent Spurs to the quarter final.
Everton 0-2 Bournemouth
An intriguing Antoine Semenyo penalty and a goal from Daniel Jebbison was enough to send Bournemouth into the 5th round of the FA Cup in what turned out to be the final FA Cup game at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth almost made the perfect start just under 40 seconds into the game when Marcus Tavernier had a low shot from close range blocked and cleared away, instantly swaying momentum his side’s way at the start to a massive afternoon for Everton.
Iliman Ndiaye was once again the bright spark for Everton as he created the first major chance of the game. The winger aggressively pressed Illia Zabarnyi on the touchline, and after smartly winning the ball of the Ukrainian he brought the ball inside and attempted to place it between Kepa’s legs. However, the experienced Spanish goalkeeper was quick to react to his effort and smothered his shot into his hands.
Antoine Semenyo was chopped down by Everton captain James Tarkowski halfway through the first half, and referee John Brooks was quick to point to the spot. The Ghanian forward took a unique run up, slowly walking away from the ball after the whistle before quickly turning around and sprinting towards the spot. His powerful effort was too much for Jordan Pickford, who despite going the right way couldn’t keep the ball out the back of the net.
The Cherries remained on top from here, and managed to double their lead on the brink of half time. Tavernier pounced on a lofted pass from Tarkowski towards Ashley Young, and let fly from outside box. Jarrad Brainthwaite blocked his effort, but in doing so the ball broke to Daniel Jebbison. His pop-shot was saved by Pickford, but as it immediately came back to him he flicked the ball off his knee almost instinctively over the former Sunderland ‘keeper and slowly into the back of the net.
Jebbison was on loan at Watford in the first half of the season, but failed to pick up a goal in 387 minutes for the Hornets. Since being recalled at the start of January, he’s scored twice for Iraola’s side, both coming in the FA Cup after scoring in the last round in a 5-1 thrashing against West Brom.
Everton continued to push for a way back into the game throughout the second half, with substitute Carlos Alcaraz hitting the post from a free kick from around 25 yards out. The Argentine forward, who signed for Juventus on loan in 2024’s January transfer window, joined the Toffee’s on loan on Deadline Day.
Stoke City 3-3 Cardiff City (2-4 on penalties)
Cardiff came out on top in an absolute thriller at the Bet 365 Stadium, beating Stoke 4-2 on penalties after drawing 3-3 after 120 minutes.
Rubin Colwill quickly but the Welsh side after eight minutes, finding room on the edge of the box and sending the ball firmly into the bottom right-hand corner.
15 minutes later, Cardiff pumped a ball over the top for Yousef Salech to try and latch on to. Stoke defender Ben Gibson and goalkeeper Jack Bonham made a terrible job of clearing the ball from his path though, allowing Salech to lob the ball over the duo to double his side’s lead.
Just before half time, Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas gave Stoke a lifeline back into the game after getting on the end of a wonderful ball through fro Wouter Burger and providing a delightful finish across Cardiff ‘keeper Ethan Horvath and into the far right-hand corner.
Almost immediately in the second half, a brilliant Stoke throw-in routine allowed Koumas in again who levelled for Stoke. Burger was once again central to the move, dummying a Wilson-Ebrand throw-in to allow Koumas to run onto it, who cut inside and slammed home from close range.
Stoke were awarded a penalty 10 minutes later when 19-year-old striker Emre Tezgel caught Cardiff defender Jesper Daland napping and nicked the ball off him before getting chopped down. Lewis Baker stepped up from 12 yards out and tucked it away to give the Potters the lead for the first time in the game.
The Bluebirds responded in the 68th minute through Colwill once again, who collected the ball on the edge of the box after Jack Bonham denied an effort by Callum O’Dowda. The Welsh midfielder let fly, and his effort trickled through an ocean of bodies in the box and slowly into the bottom left hand corner.
Joe Ralls and Emre Tezgel scored their respective penalties, before goalscorer Yousef Salech missed Cardiff’s second penalty. Shirtly after, Tatsuki Seko did the same for Stoke to keep the score at 1-1.
Former Arsenal defender Calum Chambers put Ömer Riza’s side up 2-1, but Michael Rose was unable to match his effort and Cardiff went ahead. Chris Willock scored to make it 3-1, and despite Wouter Burger scoring to keep Stoke’s hopes alive, Ruben Colwill stepped up for Cardiff’s 5th penalty and made the net bulge for the 3rd time in the game to send Cardiff through to the 5th round.
Birmingham 2-3 Newcastle
An 82nd minute winner from Joe Willock saw Newcastle edge past Newcastle in a highly entertaining affair in the West Midlands.
Ethan Laird gave Birmingham the lead after just 40 seconds when he volleyed an effort towards goal. It deflected off CallumWilson’s knee and in off the crossbar to open the scoring at send St Andrews into pandemonium.
A bizarre goal pulled Newcastle level, when Bailey Peacock-Farrell thought he had denied Joe Willock from six yards out. The former Arsenal midfielder put the follow up effort well over and held his head in shame, but that quickly turned into relief when referee Matthew Donohue pointed to the centre circle after goal-line technology indicated the ball had in fact crossed the line.
Newcastle claimed the lead in the 26th minute when Tino Livramento sent a low cross into the box that caused the Blues all sorts of problems. After a frantic scramble that involved the likes of Will Osula and Christoph Klarer on the line, Callum Wilson poked home for his first goal of the season.
Newcastle would bundle the ball into the back of the net once again from a free kick via Joe Willock, but he would be denied a brace at this stage in the game by the offside flag.
Birmingham pulled level five minutes before half time, as the ball came out to Tamoki Iwata on the edge of the box. The Japanese midfielder sent thunderous half volley sailing into the top right-hand corner, a strike even two goalkeepers would have struggled to keep out.
The Magpies eventually found the winner though. After dominating throughout the second half a low Sean Longstaff cross ricocheted to the feet of Joe Willock, who wasn’t to be denied his brace this time and wheeled away in celebration. It’s the first time Willock has scored a brace since January 2019, after scoring twice for Arsenal in a 3-0 win in the FA Cup against Blackpool.
Brighton 2-1 Chelsea
Goals from Kauro Mitoma and Georginio Rutter saw Brighton edge past Chelsea in an all Premier League side battle on the south coast.
Chelsea quickly took the lead after an absolute howler from Bart Verbruggen saw him spill a tame Cole Palmer cross clumsily into the back of his own net. It was a shocking moment, especially given the strong start the Dutch ‘keeper made to the game, denying a great effort from Palmer just moments before.
Brighton forced their way back into the game just seven minutes later though, when some slick build up play saw Joel Veltman collect the ball on the edge of the box. He clipped a delicious ball into Georginio Rutter, who got in between the two Chelsea centre halves, and headed home from seven yards out for his 7th goal of the season.
Enzo Maresca’s side got a major chance later in the first half when Moises Caicedo split his former side’s defence open with a great pass that found Christopher Nkunku. He got to the box, but clipped the ball over to Cole Palmer, and the English midfielder lifted his header over the bar after an obscure and probably unexpected pass from the French attacker.
Brighton started the second half the better of the two sides, and their dominance was rewarded in the 57th minute when Kauro Mitoma gave them the lead. The move started with Tariq Lamptey having a shot blocked by Moises Caicedo, with the rebound seemingly hitting his hand. After no handball given, Georginio Rutter collected the scraps, lofted it through for Mitoma who seemingly controlled the ball with his arm as well, and despite a second Chelsea appeal still no handball was given. The Japanese winger lofted it over an onrushing Robert Sanchez, and his side took the lead for the first time in the game.
Chelsea continued to push from here but Brighton controlled their efforts comfortably, and the southern side booked their place into the next round. Just like 10 years ago, Chelsea are eliminated in Round 4, just as Bradford City eliminated them at this stage in 2015.
Blackburn 0-2 Wolves
Matheus Cunha and Joao Gomes fired Wolves past Blackburn into the next round of the FA Cup.
The West Midlands side named a strong starting XI coming into the game, with the likes of Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo, Toti Gomes and Goncalo Guedes keeping their places in the side after beating Aston Villa last weekend.
Despite this, Vítor Pereira’s side struggled to get comfortable early on as a high-flying Blackburn side started on the front foot. They thought they took the lead in the 19th minute when Dominic Hyam headed home from close range, but the offside flag denied him.
Wolves got into a flow though and took the lead in the 33rd minute when Joao Gomes broke into the box and stabbed an effort towards Balázs Tóth, and the Hungarian was unable to keep the ball from tricklig under him and into the back of the net.
It was a two-punch knockout as Wolves scored again just 37 seconds later. Matheus Cunha broke in behind, got his head down and buried the ball into the bottom left hand corner, with nothing Tóth could do about that.
Despite more good efforts throughout the game with Emmanuel Dennis and Todd Cantwell remaining bright for the home side, Wolves defended well especially with January signing Emmanuel Agbadou to seal a 2-0 win.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
Plymouth Argyle provided the major upset of the weekend as they beat Premier League leaders Liverpool 1-0.
The Reds rotated heavily coming into the game, leaving key players at home like Mo Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch. Arne Slot still named a strong starting XI that featured the likes of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Caoimhin Kelleher and a returning Joe Gomez.
The experienced Liverpool defender, who started at right-back, had to be taken off in the 11th minute through injury. It was an unfortunate moment for the Englishman, who missed 40 days of action after suffering a hamstring injury in December.
Liverpool struggled to build any momentum in the first half and the game was goalless by half time. It wouldn’t remain this way for long though, as Darko Gyabi flicked the ball over his head towards the penalty spot but it met the flailing arms of Harvey Elliott on its way. Referee Sam Barrott pointed to the spot without hesitation.
Ryan Hardie stepped up and beat Kelleher from the spot, scoring his 5th goal of the season, and continuing his great form after scoring twice last week against West Brom that helped his side win 2-1.
The visitors continued to push for an equaliser, with Darwin Nunez and 18-year-old Trent Kone-Doherty sent on to help find it. Diogo Jota forced a great save from Conor Hazard to deny the ball nestling in the top left-hand corner, but there was still no opening.
In the final minute of added time, Kostas Tsimikas whipped a ball into the box which fell to James McConnell at the back post. He headed it back across goal where white shirts were queuing up, and Darwin Nunez headed towards goal but Hazard was there again to deny the Uruguayan.
In the end, a heroic defensive performance from the likes of Nikola Katic and Maksym Talovierov was enough to thwart the champions elect and reach their first 5th Round since 2007, where they beat Derby County 2-0. If they want to advance to the 6th round this year though, they’ll face a much harder task as they travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City.
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham
Tottenham crashed out of another tournament after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa.
Ange Postecoglou’s side got off to a shocking start after conceding with less than a minute played. Morgan Rogers glided through their midfield with ease, before playing in Jacob Ramsey down the left wing. The winger’s venomous left-footed strike was spilled in by Antonin Kinsky, gifting Ramsey with his 3rd goal of the season.
Spurs defended well and continuously tested Emi Martinez, with Heung-Min Son, Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski forcing good saves from Argentina’s number one.
Villa made great chances of their own though, and broke down the right hand side with Donyell Malen in the 64th minute. He played a one-two with Leon Bailey, and fired the ball into the six yard box. Pedro Porro poked it away from the goal-line, but Morgan Rogers was there to immediately fire it back towards the goal and sent the ball into the roof of the net to double Villa’s lead.
The Villains flexed their new offensive muscle in the second half, bringing on loanees Marco Asencio and Marcus Rashford. Both made bright cameos in their introduction to the Villa Park faithful.
Unai Emery’s side were unable to hold onto a clean sheet as Mathys Tel got on the end of a delightful Dejan Kulusevski cross for his first Tottenham goal and to set up a grand stand finish. The Lily Whites wouldn’t get another chance for a dramatic equaliser, and Villa coasted to the next round.
Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crystal Palace
An efficient performance saw Crystal Palace defeat promotion-chasing League Two side Doncaster Rovers 2-0.
Palace took lessons from Liverpool’s shock exit from the tournament the day before and named a strong starting XI that took their opponents seriously, with the likes of Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Marc Guehi, and Adam Wharton. There was room though for 21-year-old Justin Devenny, who signed for Palace in August 2023.
The game burst into life after a quiet opening half an hour when Mateta flashed a low ball off the post. The rebound fell graciously to the feet of Columbian right-back Daniel Munoz, who fired into an empty net.
Devenny had a great chance to double Palace’s lead early in the second half, after Mateta fired a low ball into the Irish midfielder, but he miscued his effort from seven yards out and it remained 1-0.
The debuting midfielder wasn’t to be denied though as he latched onto a bouncing ball sent over the top by Adam Wharton, and dinked the ball over the head of a hopeless Teddy Sharman-Lowe in the Doncaster goal.
The Rovers forced more good saved from Matt Turner throughout the second half, but not enough to deny the American a cleansheet. Palace professionally saw the game off and booked their place into the next round, where they’ll face Millwall at Selhurst Park.
Exeter City 2-2 Nottingham Forest (2-4 on peanlties)
Promotion-hunting Exeter City took high-flying Premier League side Nottingham Forest all the way to penalties, before eventually crashing out of the tournament.
Forest are now the highest ranking side left in the tournament, after Arsenal and Liverpool exited the tournament before them.
The Midlands side feel behind after just five minutes when Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos Miguel dropped the ball to the feet of striker Josh Magennis, who tapped home from close range to send St James Park into pandemonium.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were quick to respond though, as Ibrhaim Sangare floated a ball over the top of the Exeter defence for Paraguayan winger Ramon Sosa to get on the end of. He brought it down expertly, and with a few touches wriggled through the Exeter box and slammed home the equaliser, despite Joe Whitworth getting a hand to it.
Returning striker Taiwo Awoniyi got a handfull of decent chances throughout the game. He would get a great chance when a fast cross from Danilo found him in the box, but his volleyed effort went just wide of the right post.
He provided an excellent finish for his next chance though, outmuscling multiple defenders before slamming the ball into the bottom left-hand corner, leaving Whitworth rooted to his spot. It was Awoniyi’s second goal of the season, both his goals this season have come in the new year.
The Grecians were far from done though, and came sprinting out the blocks in the second half. From a corner, Magennis was causing problems for Forest’s defence again, wth his header at the back post saved by Carlos Miguel from point-blank range. However, the 26-year-old was only able to spill it back out to a flurry of players, and Magennis got a second bite of the cherry which eventually crawled over the line, with Willy Boly getting the final touch.
Despite this, Magennis was still credited with the goal, and Exeter were level with 40 minutes still to play of regular time.
Forest would dominate proceedings from here, but Exeter defended valiantly and managed to get to extra time. Just before though, as Morgan Gibbs-White broke away dangerously on the counter-attack, centre-half Ed Burns took him out with a very dangerous and high challenge on the midfielder and immediately saw red.
The League One side were pinned with their backs against the wall for the next half an hour, made even harder with 10 men. Big chance were kept to a minimum, with the only threatening moment coming from Jota Silva, after Exeter lost possession on the edge of their own box and the Portugese winger smashed an effort off the post.
The Garibaldis got one final chance when substitute Chris Wood rose above everyone from a Ramon Sosa corner, only to plant his header into the chest of Joe Whitworth. He spilled it up into the air, and on a second attempt Wood’s attempted overhead kick went narrowly over the bar.
Strikers Magennis and Wood stepped up for their respective sides first, and both reliably scored. Substitute Reece Cole would miss Exeter’s second, and Morgan Gibbs-White put Forest 2-1 up shortly after.
St James Park waited with bated breath as centre half Angus McDonald stepped up. He sent his penalty off the post though, and an Elliot Anderson successful strike afterwards put Forest comfortably in the driving seat.
Tony Yagane scored to make it 3-2, but substitute Neco Williams wold make no mistakes, sending his penalty firmly into the top left-hand corner, sealing Forest’s place in the 5th round.
