The FA Youth Cup fifth round proper line-up was completed after Derby County secured their place in the last 16 with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United to wrap up all of the fourth round ties on Wednesday 22 January.
The Rams travelled to York City's Community Stadium for the tie and fell behind in the first half when Seth Okyere headed the Blades in front. But a penalty on the stroke of half time, despatched by Cruz Allen, saw the teams go in level at the break before second-half goals from Niall McAndrew and another for Allen rounded off the victory.
Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers played out a six-goal thriller at Meadow Park as the Gunners made it through to the fifth round on Saturday 18 January.
In the end, young goalkeeper Jack Porter was the hero in the shootout for the home side as the 16 year old saved QPR’s first two penalties, with Arsenal winning 4-2 on spot kicks.
Earlier on the same day, Manchester United – the most successful club in FA Youth Cup history with eleven titles to their name – set up a date with Chelsea in the fifth round after Adam Lawrence’s team beat Preston North End 5-2 to progress.
Jack Fletcher, son of former Scottish international and United midfielder Darren Fletcher, found the back of the net along with skipper Reece Munro, Chido Obi – who bagged a brace – and substitute Amir Ibragimov.
Meanwhile, Leeds United edged out AFC Fylde in an entertaining encounter at Mill Farm. The Whites fashioned a 2-0 lead before the break, only for the hosts to come out fighting after the restart and level things up.
🍿 𝗔𝗙𝗖 𝗙𝘆𝗹𝗱𝗲 𝟮-𝟯 #LUFCU18
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 17, 2025
Pickles (32’, 38’)
Dudley (76’) pic.twitter.com/1AW2GjmyjM
However, Leeds restored their lead in the 76th minute when Louie Dudley made it 3-2 to help Leeds advance.
And, rounding off the day’s action, a 2-1 victory over Cardiff City saw Bristol City book their place in the final 16 after the Bluebirds came out on top in the Severnside derby.
Tottenham Hotspur were taken to extra time by Grimsby Town at Blundell Park on Monday 20 January, before sealing their place in the next round after a thrilling 5-3 win. The Mariners staged a late comeback in the dying stages of the game, after Spurs had taken a 3-1 lead before two stoppage time goals from Grayson Giles and Fortun Onoh took the game to extra time.
But Spurs rallied and further goals from Jun'ai Byfield and Ronny Moncur proved enough to see the Londoners into the next round, where they'll take on Watford.
Everton were in action the following evening when they welcomed Wolverhampton Wanderers to Goodison Park, when a brace from George Morgan and a late Ceiran Loney goal meant a 3-1 win for the young Blues.
Defending champions Manchester City, who beat Leeds United 4-0 in the 2023-24 Final, booked their place in the next round as they look to retain their crown this season. The Citizens' Stephen Mfuni, Harrison Miles, Ryan McAidoo, Matty Warhurst and Divine Mukasa were on target for Oliver Reiss’ side, who ran out 5-1 winners over last season’s semi-finalists, Millwall.
A touch of class from McAidoo! 🔥
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 16, 2025
Watch the action LIVE on CITY+ 👇
Also through to the next stage of the competition are Aston Villa. By half time, the West Midlands side were three goals to the good, before adding a fourth after the restart to all but seal their place in the fifth round.
And it was a successful evening for Fulham, who registered a 4-1 victory over Exeter City to advance to the fifth round.
On the same night, Watford cruised through, seeing off Crewe Alexandra in a 4-1 win. Amin Nabizada was at the double for the Hornets, while December signing Nickson Okosun and Kash Odiase also made the scoresheet.
Elsewhere, Merstham’s stunning FA Youth Cup run was brought to an end in the fourth round proper, when they suffered a 7-1 defeat away to Chelsea.
The non-League club from Surrey had progressed through eight rounds to reach the last 32 in the competition, after starting their journey in the extra preliminary round last August.
Along the way, they've enjoyed victories against the likes of Forest Green Rovers, Burgess Hill Town and St. Albans City, but they came up against a Chelsea side full of confidence at Kingsmeadow in front of 1200-strong crowd.
And fans of the nine-time FA Youth Cup winners were treated to a stunning hat-trick from Shumaira Mheuka and further goals from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Leo Cardoso, Reggie Walsh and Chizaram Ezenwata.
The visiting fans from Merstham were rewarded with a goal to cheer though, as Amari Perkins scored just before half time to make it 4-1.
The same evening also saw Norwich City progress to the next round, with a 3-1 away win over AFC Bournemouth at Eastleigh FC.
The Canaries took an early lead in that game through Finlay Corke’s penalty before La'Sean Sealey doubled their advantage. A second goal from Corke put the tie firmly in Norwich’s favour before Charlie Stevens pulled a goal back for the hosts from the penalty spot. They now join West Bromwich Albion and Southampton in the fifth round proper, following their away victories over Stoke City and Fleetwood Town respectively on Tuesday evening.
First-half strikes from Donte-German Ranger and Divine Onyemachi proved enough for West Brom to pick up an impressive win on the road at the Bet365 Stadium, with Stoke reduced to ten men in the second half following a red card for Jaden Dixon.
Into round 🖐🏆
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 15, 2025
Check out the highlights from Tuesday night's FA Youth Cup victory over Stoke City. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/cIWOq7Q1Pt
Meanwhile, Southampton’s long trip from the south coast to the Fylde coast saw them really tested by their hosts and a tight game was decided by three goals in the final 15 minutes. Southampton had to weather some real pressure from Fleetwood, before strikes from Sufianu Sillah Dibaga, Baylee Dipepa and Jay Robinson proved enough to seal their progress.
The first tie of the fourth round was decided on Wednesday 8 January, when Plymouth Argyle beat Lincoln City at Home Park following a 2-2 draw and a 5-4 penalty shootout victory.