The draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup took place on Wednesday evening and produced the following pairings:-
Leicester City v Chelsea
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Norwich City v Manchester United
Sheffield United v Arsenal
The ties are scheduled for the 21st/22nd March 2020
Thursday
The remaining tie between Championship side Derby County and Premier League Manchester United went the way of the Premier League side by three goals to nil in Pride Park on Thursday evening, where Jason Knight completed the full ninety minutes for the hosts.
Wednesday
Premier League side Leicester City scored the only goal to defeat Championship outfit Birmingham City for whom loanee Scott Hogan was in action from the start. Nineteen year old left back Ryan Burke was an unused substitute for the visitors. It was interesting to see teenage duo Troy Parrott and Adam Idah being involved when Tottenham Hotspur played host to fellow Premier League side Norwich City. The match ended in a one all draw after extra-time with the ‘Canaries’ prevailing in the penalty shoot-out by three goals to two. Idah entered the fray on 72 minutes and worked tirelessly throughout his 50 or so minutes of action. He then capped his performance with an excellent penalty conversion in the shoot-out. Parrott was introduced for the final 24 minutes of extra-time and was quite prominent during his short cameo. He was to suffer disappointment in the penalty shoot-out when his weak spot-kick was easily saved.
Tuesday
Championship side Reading took Premier League Sheffield United to extra-time before exiting the cup following a two one defeat on Tuesday evening. John Egan and David McGoldrick, who scored after just two minutes, started for the visiting ‘Blades’ but the recently injured Enda Stevens missed out. Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion included Dara O’Shea in their starting eleven for the visit of Premier League outfit Newcastle United for whom goalkeeper Rob Elliot was named on the substitute bench. The visiting ‘Magpies’ took a three goal lead but while the host ‘Baggies’ fought back to score twice, it was too little too late.
Monday
The 5th round of the FA Cup kicked off on Monday evening with League One side Portsmouth facing Premier League Arsenal at Fratton Park. Both sides made several changes to their usual starting elevens with Ronan Curtis and Sean Raggett named on the substitute bench for the hosts while Marcus Harness was given a rare starting opportunity on the left flank. While Arsenal took the lead in first half added time, Harness had a particularly impressive half. Arsenal increased their lead early in the second half and Harness was replaced by Curtis midway through the half. There was to be no late drama and Arsenal go through to the quarter-final stage.