Sammie Szmodics’ second-half strike proved the difference as Blackburn Rovers held on to stun Leicester City and progress to the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals.
Tyrhys Dolan gave the Championship side the lead on 33 minutes, moments after missing a great chance to put his side ahead.
At the second time of asking, the 21-year-old capitalised on a misplaced pass by Leicester’s Daniel Amartey before curling the ball round Daniel Iversen.
Szmodics then doubled Rovers’ advantage seven minutes into the second half with an opportunistic poke after more indecision at the back.
Kelechi Iheanacho halved the deficit midway through the second half before a late onslaught from the 2021 winners. Amartey came closest, with his late header striking the post, but Blackburn clung on to progress to the last eight.
Just look at the celebrations 😍@SamSzmodics bundles home for @Rovers!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/CkIcZqBrYH
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 28, 2023
Joao Palhinha’s wonder goal set Fulham on their way to a 2-0 victory against Leeds United in Tuesday night’s only all-Premier League tie.
The Cottagers took the lead after Palhinha won the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a wicked shot which curled past a helpless Illian Meslier and into the corner of the net.
Leeds could count themselves unlucky to be behind at the break, having seen two goals ruled out and one strike cannon off the upright.
They were left to rue their misfortune on 56 minutes when Manor Solomon scored his fourth goal in as many games, sealing victory for Marco Silva’s side.
João Palhinha. Take a bow.#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/PqxNl9tcX7
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 28, 2023
In Tuesday’s 8pm kick-off, two goals from Phil Foden and a late Kevin De Bruyne strike fired Manchester City past Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Foden finished off a vintage City move for his first, sweeping home a Riyad Mahrez cut back after just seven minutes.
The Robins were well in the game until Foden scored his second via a cruel deflection off Zak Vyner following a brilliant pass in behind from De Bruyne.
The Belgian then added an extra sheen to the scoreline with a dipping 25-yard effort ten minutes from time.
Target acquired 🎯@ManCity @KevinDeBruyne#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/czJqsPKrWP
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 28, 2023
Brighton and Hove Albion also saw off Championship opposition with a 1-0 win against Stoke City.
Albion struck the decisive blow on the half-hour mark after a flowing move which saw Evan Ferguson find the net.
Alexis Mac Allister slipped the ball into the path of Kaoru Mitoma, who burst into the box before playing a perfect pass which cut out goalkeeper Jack Bonham and gave Ferguson the simplest of finishes.
Mitoma came close to putting the game to bed with quarter of an hour to play but was thwarted by Bonham and although Stoke pushed late on, they were unable to find a leveller.
