Arsenal and Chelsea both battled their way into the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals with hard-fought victories over lower league opposition.
Eberechi Eze’s thumping second-half strike fired Arsenal past League One Mansfield with a 2-1 victory, while Chelsea required extra time to beat Championship Wrexham 3-2.
Eze lashed home from just outside the box to help Arsenal avoid an upset that briefly looked on the cards after Will Evans cancelled out Noni Madueke's opener.
The Gunners' away trip was more straightforward than their London neighbours Chelsea, who twice came from behind to beat a defiant Wrexham sice in north Wales.
Sam Smith put Wrexham ahead early on before an Arthur Okonkwo own goal levelled the score at the break. Callum Doyle thought he might have won it before Josh Acheampong forced extra time, where Alejandro Garnacho sealed a thrilling cup tie for the Blues.
In the evening kick-off, last season's runners-up Manchester City came from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-1 courtesy of a second-half double from Omar Marmoush.
Harvey Barnes put Newcastle in front before Savinho equalised before half time and Marmoush struck twice after the break to send City through.
Garnacho clinches thrilling cup tie
Alejandro Garnacho was Chelsea's cup hero, as his extra-time strike got them past Wrexham with a 4-2 win after 120 minutes of enthralling entertainment.
The Blues twice came from behind to force an additional 30 minutes, before Garnacho struck six minutes after the restart before Joao Pedro added the gloss in additional time.
Timing the volley perfectly 👌
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 7, 2026
Alejandro Garnacho gives @ChelseaFC the lead for the first time on the night.
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It was an exhilirating encounter at STok Cae Ras that burst into life when Sam Smith put Wrexham ahead after 18 minutes.
The striker latched onto Callum Doyle's long pass before calmly finishing beyond Robert Sanchez.
Smith had another chance shortly after but could not adjust onto his preferred right foot, before Sanchez tipped away Lewis O'Brien's deflected effort as Wrexham pressed for a second.
Chelsea then got back on level terms five minutes before the break, as George Thomason's clearance hit goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and rolled into the net.
Wrexham continued the second half on the front foot, as Max Cleworth headed over before Garnacho dragged a shot wide for the visitors.
The momentum was all with the hosts despite Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior ringing the changes, and they made it count with ten minutes to play as Doyle diverted Ryan Longman's drilled effort past Sanchez.
That's superb, Callum Doyle 😱
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 7, 2026
A brilliant flick to give @Wrexham_AFC a second against Chelsea in the #EmiratesFACup!
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The lead lasted just three minutes as Josh Acheampong crashed a shot past Okonkwo to force extra time.
There was still time for one final twist in the regular 90 minutes, as Wrexham midfielder George Dobson was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Garnacho just a minute after Pedro Neto hit the woodwork for Chelsea.
The Blues took advantage of their man advantage in extra time, as Garnacho volleyed home at the back post.
That looked to have won the game for Chelsea but Wrexham thought they had forced penalties when Lewis Brunt headed home in the 118th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Joao Pedro added a fourth at the death for Chelsea to bring a breathless cup tie to an end.
Eze strike sends Arsenal through
Eberechi Eze's second-half effort helped Arsenal eventually down Mansfield Town 2-1.
Noni Madueke looked to have put the Gunners in the box seat when he broke the deadlock just before half time, only for Will Evans to equalise five minutes after the restart.
But amidst dogged defence from Mansfield, Eze showed his class to hold off a challenge and rifle home to seal the tie.
Arsenal began in control and almost found an immediate breakthrough as Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts put his pass straight at Max Dowman but the teenager was crowded out by the Stags defence.
Off the bench to put @Arsenal back ahead 💪
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 7, 2026
No stopping that from Eberechi Eze!
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Dowman was through on goal again minutes later but Roberts was called into action to deny him with his legs.
While the Premier League side dominated possession, Mansfield remained dangerous and had their first sight of goal after 15 minutes as Rhys Oates got in behind but his cross was pushed away by Kepa before the Spaniard denied Louis Reed’s follow-up effort.
Tyler Roberts then curled an effort goalwards that was just wide of the post as Nigel Clough’s side continued to threaten the Arsenal goal.
The visitors looked to regain control and Gabriel Martinelli came close to putting them in front with an effort that was saved by Roberts at his near post.
Roberts was beginning to become the busier keeper at the first half wore on but Kepa was called into action once more to deny Oates.
Madueke then made the breakthrough just four minutes before half time, as the England winger curled into the top corner from just inside the box.
That looked to give Arsenal complete control but Mansfield made the perfect start to the second half as they grabbed an equaliser five minutes after the restart.
A short pass from Marli Salmon was seized upon by half time substitute Evans, who raced past Christian Mosquera and fired home to send the home crowd into raptures.
Evans had another sight of goal as he looked to latch onto a through ball that was just too heavy as Mansfield pushed for a potential winner.
But it was Arsenal who got the crucial next goal, as Eze held off his marker before unleashing a fierce strike into the top corner to seal his side's place in the last eight.
Marmoush double sends City through
Omar Marmoush's second-half double fired Manchester City into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Newcastle United.
Harvey Barnes put the hosts in front after 18 minutes, as the winger raced in behind the City defence before curling home from close range.
Savinho equalised for City, as Jeremy Doku's cross bounced off the Brazilian and over the line despite the best efforts of a scrambling Aaron Ramsdale.
Marmoush then took the tie by the scruff of the neck, as the Egyptian fired home from inside the box just two minutes after half time before doubling his tally, and City's lead, 20 minutes later.
This time he struck from the edge of the box after a fine run through midfield from Matheus Nunes, as Pep Guardiola's men took full control of the contest.
