Our weekly FA Cup awards honour the best – and worst – of the fourth-round action.
Moment of the Week
Could it be anything else?
Maidstone United pulled off the upset of the competition so far to eliminate Ipswich Town. The latter started the contest 98 places above the sixth-tier side in England’s football pyramid, with Ipswich pushing for promotion to the Premier League this season.
They’ve done it again ????
Who else but Sam Corne for @maidstoneunited!? ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/3XLyIGTrbO
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2024
The opening exchanges showed the quality gap between the teams as Ipswich carved out chance after chance, hitting the woodwork three times and finding Lucas Covolon in inspired form in the visitor’s goal. Ipswich’s inability to take their chances came back to haunt the Tractor Boys, as Maidstone secured a stunning smash-and-grab, scoring with their only efforts on goal to claim a 2-1 win.
Lamar Reynolds and Sam Cornes scored the goals for Maidstone, who are the first team from the sixth-tier or lower to reach the fifth round in 46 years. Their run is already reported to have banked the club around £460,000, ahead of a fifth-round date with Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry.
This, is what the FA Cup is all about.
Maidstone fans celebrating their first goal at Ipswich today. ????
Hope the fan who fell from the top tier whilst celebrating is ok… ???? pic.twitter.com/grE1WFYJnJ
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) January 27, 2024
Player of the Week
David Brooks has missed too much football to be content with a place on the Bournemouth bench. The midfielder has featured for just 273 minutes in the Premier League this season, but sent a statement to his manager with a fantastic performance in the club’s 5-0 thrashing of Swansea.
Brooks was the architect of a big win for Andoni Iraola’s side, creating the opening two goals with real quality before scoring one himself as the Cherries ran riot.
The Welshman dovetailed with Bournemouth’s attacking options and drifted in dangerously from the flank, the sort of performance that will turn heads of rival teams if he becomes available before the transfer deadline.
Goal of the Week
That’s one way to open your account for a new club.
We’d image there were few Coventry fans who had heard of Victor Torp before his £2m move from Sarpsborg 08 earlier this month, but the Sky Blues fans will be pleased with what they’ve seen so far.
The Dane scored a spectacular debut goal in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend, unleashing a Torp-edo into the top corner from distance.
What a way to introduce yourself ????
Simply sensational stuff from Victor Torp on his @Coventry_City debut ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/JYkHqmHc2u
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 26, 2024
Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte deserves an honourable mention for this rocket of his own.
Facundo Buonanotte, that is some hit ????@OfficialBHAFC#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/LhpSkEafzE
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2024
Save of the Week
Aston Villa will face Chelsea in a replay after a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, a game that remained goalless in large part thanks to Emi Martinez’s heroics.
⛔ ???? Middlesbrough
⛔ ???? Everton
⛔ ???? ChelseaThree consecutive clean sheets for @EmiMartinezz1. ⭐ pic.twitter.com/AemMfbT4sZ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 27, 2024
Stat of the Week
Manchester City have FINALLY scored a goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side ended their woeful record in North London with a late win at Spurs, as Nathan Ake scrambled home an 88th-minute decider. The Dutch defender’s goal ended a run of 538 minutes and 101 shots at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without scoring!
1 – Nathan Aké has ended Manchester City’s goal drought at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, scoring in the 88th minute of their sixth match at the ground against Spurs from their 102nd shot across those visits. Relief. pic.twitter.com/9zWCZzVdt4
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 26, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Liverpool fans are fearing the worst after Jurgen Klopp’s exit announcement…
“Steve Bruce makes just one change from the team that lost at Portman Road last time out with Curtis Jones coming in for the injured Jake Livermore. Andy Carroll retains his place despite not finding the back of the net since his return to Anfield from Amiens four months ago.” pic.twitter.com/YDjxmu9cFN
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) January 26, 2024
Read – Tweets of the Week: Jurgen Klopp sends Liverpool into meltdown
See more – Every Premier League transfer in January so far as deadline day nears
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