FA Cup Fifth Round Highlights: Shocking Red Cards & Goals

🔥 Moment of the Week: Reckless Roberts' Challenge & Red Card Drama 🟥

One of the most shocking incidents of the FA Cup fifth round was Liam Roberts' reckless challenge that left Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta injured and requiring 25 stitches.

🧐 What Happened?

In Millwall vs. Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Liam Roberts attempted to clear the ball but ended up delivering a flying kick to Mateta's head. Initially, no red card was given, but after a VAR review, Roberts was sent off.

✅ Key Stats:

Mateta required 25 stitches due to the challenge.

Millwall played with 10 men for over 60 minutes.

The game ended with Crystal Palace securing a 3-1 victory.

🎙️ Reactions from Players & Pundits

💬 Gary Neville: "One of the most reckless challenges I’ve seen. Roberts is lucky it wasn’t worse."

💬 Roy Keane: "This is why we need VAR, but it shouldn’t take that long for a clear decision."

📊 Historical Context

This wasn’t the first time the FA Cup witnessed controversial red cards:

2017: Ander Herrera (Man Utd) was controversially sent off vs. Chelsea.

2012: Vincent Kompany’s red card in the Manchester Derby FA Cup clash.

2010: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) was sent off in a last-man challenge.

Roberts’ challenge joins the long list of infamous FA Cup red cards, adding another layer of controversy to the tournament.

🌟 Player of the Week: Marco Asensio’s Brilliance for Aston Villa

Marco Asensio, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, proved to be a game-changer for Aston Villa. His two goals against Cardiff City secured a 2-0 win, taking Villa to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.

📊 Asensio's FA Cup Performance Stats:

Goals Scored: 2 ⚽⚽

Pass Accuracy: 85% 🎯

Key Passes: 4 🔑

Shots on Target: 3 🎯

🔍 Tactical Breakdown

Asensio played in a false nine role, linking up with Marcus Rashford.

His first goal was a classic poacher's finish, while his second was a long-range beauty.

His movement between the lines caused problems for Cardiff’s defense.

👀 How Asensio Compares to Past FA Cup Stars:

2022-23: Riyad Mahrez (Man City) scored a hat-trick in the semis.

2020-21: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) carried his side to the final.

2015-16: Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) played a key role in Arsenal’s triumph.

Asensio’s form is a huge boost for Aston Villa as they dream of their first FA Cup win since 1957.

🧠 Manager of the Week: Paul Heckingbottom’s Tactical Masterclass

Preston North End’s manager Paul Heckingbottom pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the FA Cup by beating Burnley 3-0.

🔥 Key Tactical Moves:

1️⃣ High Pressing: Preston disrupted Burnley’s build-up play.

2️⃣ Clinical Finishing: Scored 3 goals from 5 shots on target.

3️⃣ Compact Defense: Limited Burnley to just 1 shot on target.

📊 Preston vs. Burnley Stats Comparison:

This win marks Preston’s first FA Cup quarter-final since 1966 – a historic achievement!

🚀 Goal of the Week: Matheus Cunha’s Long-Range Stunner

Matheus Cunha delivered a moment of magic in Wolves’ win over Bournemouth. His 35-yard strike is one of the best goals of this FA Cup season.

📊 Cunha’s FA Cup Performance:

Distance of Goal: 35 yards 📏

Shot Speed: 85 mph ⚡

Total Goals This Season: 9 ⚽

This goal will be remembered alongside FA Cup classics like:

Son Heung-min’s solo goal in 2021.

Steven Gerrard’s last-minute thunderbolt in the 2006 final.

Thierry Henry’s wonder strike against Leeds in 2012.

However, Cunha's night ended in disappointment as he later received a red card, highlighting the highs and lows of football.

🧤 Save of the Week: Conor Hazard's Heroics for Plymouth

Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard made a world-class save against Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, keeping his team alive in the competition.

📊 Key Goalkeeping Stats:

Shots Faced: 12 🥅

Saves Made: 8 🛑

Save Percentage: 88% 🔥

Hazard’s stunning one-handed save against De Bruyne will be remembered as one of the best saves of the season.

🔥 Team Performance of the Week: Preston's 3-0 Upset Over Burnley

Preston’s historic FA Cup run continues, and their dominant 3-0 win over Burnley makes them the team performance of the week.

✅ Tactical Breakdown:

Counter-Attacking Brilliance: Took advantage of Burnley’s high defensive line.

Defensive Discipline: Allowed just one shot on target.

Clinical Finishing: 3 goals from 5 shots on target.

This performance cements Preston’s status as the biggest surprise of this FA Cup season!

⚖️ Controversy of the Week: VAR & Red Card Decisions

The biggest debate from this FA Cup round revolves around VAR's role in red card decisions.

🔍 VAR Controversies:

1️⃣ Liam Roberts' Red Card – Initially missed but later given.

2️⃣ Cunha’s Sending Off – Some pundits argued it was harsh.

3️⃣ Penalty Decisions – Several soft penalties awarded across different games.

The debate over VAR continues, with fans divided on whether it improves or disrupts the game.

🔮 Looking Ahead: FA Cup Quarter-Finals Preview & Predictions

🏆 Upcoming Quarter-Final Fixtures:

Aston Villa vs. Preston North End

Manchester City vs. Bournemouth

Crystal Palace vs. Fulham

Wolves vs. Brighton

Predictions:

📌 Man City & Villa are favorites to progress.

📌 Preston could pull off another upset.

📌 Brighton vs. Wolves could be the closest game.

The FA Cup is set for more thrilling action as the quarter-finals approach!

Final Thoughts: Why This FA Cup Season is One of the Best in Recent History 🏆

✔️ Big upsets (Preston knocking out Burnley).

✔️ Stunning goals (Cunha’s long-range strike).

✔️ Controversial moments (VAR decisions).

✔️ Breakout stars (Asensio leading Aston Villa).

This FA Cup season has everything a football fan could ask for! Stay tuned for more action as the road to Wembley continues! ⚽🏆🔥