Port Vale stun Sunderland to reach FA Cup quarter-finals for first time in 72 years

Sunderland suffered an embarrassing FA Cup fifth round exit against third tier strugglers Port Vale, while Leeds defeated second tier Norwich on Sunday.

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

Ben Waine, a boyhood fan of Sunderland’s arch rivals Newcastle, capitalised on poor marking to head the 28th-minute winner, sending Port Vale into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.

Port Vale appear destined for relegation, but they beat second-tier Bristol City in the fourth round and produced an even more remarkable performance to make a mockery of the 56-place gap between them and Sunderland.

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

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

Southampton knock Fulham out of FA Cup

Premier League side Leeds beat second tier Norwich 3-0 to reach their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2003.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke twice led Norwich to promotion to the Premier League before being sacked in 2021.

Prioritising his fight to avoid relegation, Farke’s decision to make nine changes paid off against his former club.

Chasing a first appearance in the final since 1973, Leeds went in front in the 32nd minute at Elland Road.

Sean Longstaff scored for the first time since September with a clinical finish from inside the area.

Gabriel Gudmundsson slotted home in the 43rd minute and Joel Piroe bagged Leeds’s third in the 85th minute.

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

The Star