Destiney Toussaint’s late winner fired Wolverhampton Wanderers into the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, as they produced the result of the round with a 2-1 win over Reading.
Wolves came from behind to defy the division gap between the sides, as Beth Merrick cancelled out Maddison Perry’s opener for the Royals before Toussaint grabbed the decider two minutes from time.
They are joined in the fifth round by FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division rivals Nottingham Forest, who comprehensively beat fellow third-tier side Plymouth Argyle 6-1 at Home Park.
A double from Louanne Worsey put Forest 2-0 up at the interval, before Holly Manders, Sophie Domingo, Mai Moncaster, and Mollie Green all added after the break. Jade Berrow netted a late consolation for Argyle.
😅😅😅 pic.twitter.com/xVp7NUPGss
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) January 14, 2024
However, there would be no fairytale for Burnley as they fell to former Women’s FA Cup winners Birmingham City in extra-time.
The Clarets forced an additional 30 minutes through Millie Ravening’s last-minute penalty but Claudia Walker and Jade Moore both scored to send Blues through 3-1 winners.
Birmingham joined Charlton Athletic in avoiding an upset against lower-ranked opposition, as the Addicks beat third-tier Ipswich Town 4-1 despite going behind to Sophie Peskett’s opener after just eight minutes.
Fellow Barclays Women's Championship Championship side London City got past fourth-tier Moneyfields 4-0, while it was the same scoreline for Barclays Women's Super League outfit Leicester City against third-tier Derby County.
Defending champions Chelsea were made to sweat to keep their hopes of a fourth successive FA Cup title alive, but eventually came through 3-1 winners against West Ham after extra-time.A message from Sam Tierney for @LCFC_Women fans 🤳#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/eBennfs9wS
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) January 14, 2024
Viviane Asseyi gave the Hammers the lead in the first half but the Blues eventually found an equaliser, as Mia Fishel crashed home a strike with 20 minutes to play.
An Erin Cuthbert header then put Emma Hayes’ side ahead in extra-time before Sjoeke Nusken made sure of victory.
It was a more comfortable afternoon for last season’s finalists Manchester United, who showed their class in a 5-0 win at home to third-tier Newcastle United.
The visitors were backed by a healthy and vocal travelling contingent from the North East, but could do little to prevent United’s dominance.
Ella Toone opened the scoring just before the half-hour and Nikita Parris netted either side of the break before Rachel Williams and Melvine Malard both got their names on the scoresheet.
Touch and bang 💥@ellatoone99 doing what she does best for @ManUtdWomen 😮💨#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/F9LqCYZXtg
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) January 14, 2024
It was also fairly straightforward for Manchester City, who ran out 4-0 winners away at Barclays Women’s Championship outfit Durham.
The TV cameras descended on Maiden Castle in hopes of an upset but Laura Coombs dampened those ideas with the opener after just seven minutes.
Jill Roord added another two before Mary Fowler rounded off an impressive afternoon with a fourth late on.
City will be joined by league rivals Arsenal, who got past Watford 5-1 thanks to strikes from Alessia Russo, Lia Wälti, Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt and Frida Maanum.
Gunners fans were also given a glimpse of the future as Arsenal loanee Michelle Agyemang scored against her parent club for the Hornets’ consolation.
It was a more difficult day for Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur but some late heroics ensured their place in the fifth round.
Spurs looked to be heading out as they went 2-0 down to Championship side Sheffield United, but two goals from Bethany England got them level and Rosella Ayane netted a stoppage-time winner to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Plenty to be proud of 👏
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) January 14, 2024
The @LTLFC_Official squad are still smiling as they exit the #AdobeWomensFACup following an incredible run 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Pt6bWgwWVq
The fourth round’s lowest-ranked side Luton Town bowed out of this year’s competition at the hands of Barclays Women’s Super League side Brighton.
Fifth-tier Luton kept the Seagulls at bay for over half an hour before two quickfire strikes from Veatriki Sarri and Vicky Losada put the visitors two to the good at the break.
A brace from Tatiana Pinto plus goals from Elisabeth Terland and Pauline Bremer rounded off a 6-0 victory for Brighton.
It means that all but two WSL sides booked their place in the next round, with Bristol City the other to join West Ham in departing after a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
The Reds faced an uphill battle after Ceri Holland was dismissed for two yellow cards but Gemma Bonner converted from a corner five minutes from time to send her side through.
The two all-Championship ties saw Crystal Palace produce three goals in 13 minutes to get past Blackburn Rovers 3-1, while Katie Wilkinson struck twice to help Southampton to a 2-0 win away at Sunderland.
