The Emirates FA Cup fourth round got underway on Friday night with a sprinkling of that fabled cup magic which gave rise to some inspiring stories along the way as the road to Wembley continues.
From family connections to childhood dreams, we take a look at how our competing clubs and players reacted to what was an action-packed weekend.
Grealish reunited with a familiar face
After setting up Kevin de Bruyne to score the winner against Leyton Orient on Saturday, Manchester City’s Jack Grealish was reunited with an old friend.
O’s winger Jordan Graham – who was sidelined for the visit of the Premier League giants after picking up a knee injury in November – played alongside Grealish when the two came through the ranks together at Aston Villa as youngsters.
The pair both headed out on loan to gain first-team minutes but their paths diverged when Graham made the permanent switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2015, while Grealish went on to establish himself at Villa.
From 7 years old in the academy together for 11 years. So good to see you brother.
— Jordan Graham (@JordanGr_11) February 8, 2025
We nearly had you in the end 😉 what a great occasion for the club! Everyone associated with Orient today made the whole club proud! Now onto the business end of the season! Let’s get it!! ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/kW09I1S8E2
Plymouth star fulfils boyhood ambition
As a lifelong Liverpool supporter, Sunday couldn’t have got much better for Plymouth Argyle’s Callum Wright. The midfielder, who idolised Steven Gerrard as a child, helped his current club to knock Arne Slot’s side out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.
The resilient Pilgrims ran out 1-0 winners at Home Park as the 24 year old started and completed the full 90 minutes to cause an upset.
And for Wright – who also attended the same school as Gerrard – it brought back memories of the night he walked out as mascot with the former Liverpool captain for the club’s 2008 Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Anfield.
Goodison’s FA Cup send-off
Goodison Park bid its final farewell to the FA Cup after Everton played out their last-ever tie at their home of over a century. Despite slipping to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of league rivals AFC Bournemouth, it was an occasion to remember.
Five-time competition winners Everton first got their hands on the trophy in 1906 and the Toffees have made a total of 13 FA Cup finals, with their last triumph coming in 1995.
As for Goodison Park, the ground has played host to the FA Cup final on two occasions – first in 1894 when Notts County beat Bolton Wanderers and again in 1910 when Newcastle United saw off Barnsley in the replay.
Goodison at its vibrant best. 🤩
— Everton (@Everton) February 8, 2025
Superb work again, @The1878s and all involved. 💙 pic.twitter.com/TqbND8L3hB
Brothers in arms
They might have missed out on coming up against each other this weekend when Wigan Athletic and Fulham locked horns in the FA Cup but twin brothers Ryan and Steven Sessegnon shared a moment on the pitch post-match.
The Cottagers edged out the Latics in a 2-1 win to book their place in the fifth round as Ryan started the game for Fulham, while Steven was named on the bench for Wigan.
The pair spent time in Fulham’s academy together as children before moving on to pastures new. Latics defender Steven completed a transfer to Wigan in August 2023 while Ryan returned to Craven Cottage last summer after a spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
Two of our own. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/RnM80yG1US
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 8, 2025
A celebration to match
Wigan’s Jonny Smith opted to use his moment in the spotlight to announce that he had signed a new deal with the club. The 27 year old rippled the net with a wonder goal to draw the Latics level against Fulham in the 50th minute.
The winger took aim from outside the box and curled in a stunning strike which beat Steven Benda in the Cottagers goal.
And he marked the goal with a celebration which said it all as he mimed putting pen to paper on a new contract before the news broke that Smith inked a new agreement which runs until 2027, much to the delight of the club’s fanbase.
