Southampton F.C. advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a surprising 1–0 victory over Fulham F.C. on Sunday.
Ross Stewart kept his composure to convert a stoppage-time penalty at Craven Cottage, securing Southampton’s dramatic fifth-round upset.
The defeat was a frustrating one for Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose team selection gamble proved costly. Silva made nine changes following a disappointing 1–0 loss to West Ham United F.C. in the Premier League earlier in the week, but the reshuffled side failed to deliver the desired result.
Southampton sealed victory in the first minute of stoppage time when Finn Azaz was fouled by Fulham defender Joachim Andersen. Stewart stepped up and calmly fired the penalty past goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.
Relegated from the Premier League last season, Southampton have now reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2022.
Their victory also carried symbolic significance for the club. Players wore a yellow commemorative kit to mark 50 years since Southampton wore the same colours during their famous 1976 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United F.C. at Wembley Stadium, when Bobby Stokes scored the decisive goal.
Although the current squad still have much to achieve to match the success of the side managed by Lawrie McMenemy, the team led by Tonda Eckert are enjoying an impressive run. They are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions as they pursue FA Cup success and a place in the EFL Championship play-offs.
Elsewhere in the competition, Sunderland A.F.C. travel to face Port Vale F.C., who sit at the bottom of EFL League One. Leeds United F.C. host second-tier side Norwich City F.C., while West Ham United F.C. face Brentford F.C. on Monday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal F.C., Chelsea F.C., Manchester City F.C. and Liverpool F.C. have already secured their places in the quarter-finals.