Grimsby Town, who became the first fourth tier team to reach the last eight since Cambridge United in 1990 when they beat Southampton at St Mary’s, have been drawn away to Brighton and Hove Albion in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Championship side Blackburn Rovers, who also overcame Premier League opposition in Leicester City in the last round will face fellow second tier outfit Sheffield United, after they pulled off a shock of their own. Illiam Ndiaye’s goal got the Blades past Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane, as Spurs’ long wait for a trophy goes on.
Manchester United, who made it to the last eight thanks to a late goal from Alejandro Garnacho, will have to get past if they want to book another trip to Wembley for the semi-finals. Erik ten Hag’s men have got a taste for trophies and have been handed another home draw, this time against Marco Silva’s Fulham. They’ll be heavy favourites to make it to the semi-final, as are Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s men thumped Bristol City at Ashton Gate and have got a home tie against Burnley which will see Vincent Kompany take his Championship leaders to his former club. He might have a statue outside the Etihad, and four Premier League titles to his name but now as a manager he would be looking to hand his former boss a devastating blow.
Kompany needed a late Conor Roberts strike to overcome ten man Fleetwood Town at Turf Moor while Brighton beat Stoke 1-0 away from home thanks to Evan Ferguson’s solitary goal, while Fulham eased past Leeds United at Craven Cottage.
Four of the clubs remaining in the draw are from the Football League, with three of them having been drawn away from home - robbing us of some magnificent occasions as Wembley comes into view. But one of Sheffield United or Blackburn will appear in the semi-finals, while the dream isn’t over for Burnley or Grimsby Town.
FA CUP DRAW IN FULL:
Manchester City v Burnley
Manchester United v Fulham
Brighton v Grimsby Town
Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers
