• FA CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK: Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) – Turning into a penalty specialist in the cups and his extra-time save from Plymouth’s Ryan Hardie ensured Chelsea were spared a shootout. PA
    FA CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK: Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) – Turning into a penalty specialist in the cups and his extra-time save from Plymouth’s Ryan Hardie ensured Chelsea were spared a shootout. PA
  • Right-back: Djed Spence (Nottingham Forest) – Outstanding against Arsenal in the third round and perhaps even better against Leicester in the fourth. Fully deserved his goal. Getty Images
    Right-back: Djed Spence (Nottingham Forest) – Outstanding against Arsenal in the third round and perhaps even better against Leicester in the fourth. Fully deserved his goal. Getty Images
  • Centre-back: Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough) – The former Manchester United man was terrific on his return to Old Trafford as Middlesbrough pulled off a seismic win against the odds. PA
    Centre-back: Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough) – The former Manchester United man was terrific on his return to Old Trafford as Middlesbrough pulled off a seismic win against the odds. PA
  • Centre-back: Matt Preston (Kidderminster) – A heroic rearguard action that was sadly in vain. Preston made a series of blocks, tackles and challenges before West Ham won. AFP
    Centre-back: Matt Preston (Kidderminster) – A heroic rearguard action that was sadly in vain. Preston made a series of blocks, tackles and challenges before West Ham won. AFP
  • Left-back: Yerry Mina (Everton) – Came off the bench to score the first goal of Frank Lampard’s reign as Everton’s set-piece expertise brought two goals for defenders. Getty Images
    Left-back: Yerry Mina (Everton) – Came off the bench to score the first goal of Frank Lampard’s reign as Everton’s set-piece expertise brought two goals for defenders. Getty Images
  • Right midfield: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) – An assist for Ilkay Gundogan’s early equaliser before the Algerian got a five-minute brace in the second half to see off Fulham. PA
    Right midfield: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) – An assist for Ilkay Gundogan’s early equaliser before the Algerian got a five-minute brace in the second half to see off Fulham. PA
  • Centre midfield: Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) – A giant figure in the Middlesbrough midfield, Crooks’ equaliser was controversial but it set up a famous win on penalties. Getty Images
    Centre midfield: Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) – A giant figure in the Middlesbrough midfield, Crooks’ equaliser was controversial but it set up a famous win on penalties. Getty Images
  • Centre midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham) – The substitute came to West Ham’s rescue, with an injury-time equaliser he made himself denying non-league Kidderminster. AP
    Centre midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham) – The substitute came to West Ham’s rescue, with an injury-time equaliser he made himself denying non-league Kidderminster. AP
  • Left midfield: Diogo Jota (Liverpool) – Yet another valuable goal courtesy of his aerial ability as Jota set up a win over Cardiff. His elusive movement made him excellent. Getty Images
    Left midfield: Diogo Jota (Liverpool) – Yet another valuable goal courtesy of his aerial ability as Jota set up a win over Cardiff. His elusive movement made him excellent. Getty Images
  • Centre forward: Harry Kane (Tottenham) – Continued his renaissance under Antonio Conte with a brace to beat Brighton. His first goal was a special effort from long range. AFP
    Centre forward: Harry Kane (Tottenham) – Continued his renaissance under Antonio Conte with a brace to beat Brighton. His first goal was a special effort from long range. AFP
  • Centre forward: Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) – Tormented Leicester and scored Forest’s second goal as he helped knock the holders out in an East Midlands derby. Reuters
    Centre forward: Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) – Tormented Leicester and scored Forest’s second goal as he helped knock the holders out in an East Midlands derby. Reuters

Chelsea penalty specialist and Middlesbrough pair make XI: FA Cup team of the week


Richard Jolly
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The FA Cup fourth round took place over the weekend, and in true cup fashion, there were plenty of shocks to savour.

It all began on Friday night when Championship side Middlesbrough rode their luck to defeat Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford. On Saturday, Chelsea survived a scare to edge League One's Plymouth Argyle in extra-time before departing for Abu Dhabi to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup.

West Ham narrowly avoided the shock of the round having needed an injury-time equaliser against non-league Kidderminster Harriers before winning the game inn extra time.

There were no such concerns for Crystal Palace, Everton, or Manchester City who all registered comfortable wins over Hartlepool United, Brentford, and Fulham respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur are also safely through to the fifth round after beating fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's late fixture.

On Sunday, Liverpool cruised past Cardiff City, but holders Leicester City were thrashed at second-tier Nottingham Forest and Championship side Bournemouth were stunned at home by non-league Boreham Wood.

Reflecting on the latest round of FA Cup matches, Richard Jolly has selected his team of the week in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Updated: June 09, 2023, 12:29 PM