The FA Cup never fails to deliver excitement, drama, and upsets, and this past weekend was no exception. From Aston Villa piling pressure on Tottenham to Plymouth Argyle shocking Liverpool, and Brighton outplaying Chelsea, football fans witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions. Here’s a detailed recap of the key matches that made headlines.
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham (2-1)

Aston Villa knocked Tottenham out of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory, increasing the pressure on Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou. The game started in Villa’s favor as Morgan Rogers set up Jacob Ramsey for an early goal, leaving Spurs struggling for confidence.
Tottenham had few attacking moments in the first half, with Son missing a golden opportunity. Villa could have extended their lead before halftime but had to wait until the second half, when Bailey and Malen combined to set up Rogers for a second goal. Spurs showed some late fight, with Mathys Tel pulling one back in injury time, but it was too little, too late.
Plymouth vs. Liverpool (1-0)

One of the biggest upsets of the weekend saw Plymouth Argyle stun Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 1-0 win. A tense first half saw few clear chances, but Plymouth took their moment when Harvey Elliott’s handball led to a penalty. Ryan Hardie stepped up and calmly slotted home after a lengthy VAR check.
Liverpool pushed hard for an equalizer, with late chances from McConnell, Nunez, and Jota, but Plymouth’s goalkeeper Hazard produced stunning saves to preserve the lead. In the end, the Championship’s bottom club pulled off a historic giant-killing, sending the Reds crashing out of the FA Cup.
Brighton vs. Chelsea (2-1)

Brighton bounced back from their heavy 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest with a resilient 2-1 victory over Chelsea. The Blues took an early lead when Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net. However, Chelsea’s defensive struggles continued, as Georginio Rutter equalized just seven minutes later.
The second half saw Brighton capitalize on Chelsea’s vulnerabilities. A well-crafted move saw Mitoma lift a delightful finish over Robert Sanchez, sealing Brighton’s comeback win. Chelsea’s lack of attacking sharpness was evident, registering just one shot on target all game. Meanwhile, Brighton secured a morale-boosting win ahead of their Premier League rematch against Chelsea next week.
The FA Cup once again proved why it remains one of football’s most thrilling competitions. Aston Villa’s commanding performance, Plymouth’s historic giant-killing, and Brighton’s resilient comeback all made for a weekend of unforgettable moments. As the competition heads into the next round, more surprises and drama surely await.
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