FA Cup Draw Reaction: City vs. Liverpool Blockbuster and a “Golden” Chance for Chelsea

The dust has settled at the London Stadium, and the path to Wembley is officially set. Former England stars Joe Hart and Joe Cole have delivered a quarter-final lineup that promises both a clash of the titans and a classic “David vs. Goliath” story that will keep fans talking until April.

The Standout Tie: Manchester City vs. Liverpool

​The “Big One” is happening. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will host Arne Slot’s Liverpool in a match that many expected to be the final itself.

​City secured their spot with a dominant 3-1 win over Newcastle, while Liverpool handled Wolves by the same scoreline. This is more than just a cup game; it’s a psychological battle between the two best teams in England. City have already beaten the Reds twice this season in the Premier League, but in the FA Cup, history often takes a back seat.

​Chelsea’s Path to the Semis: Port Vale at the Bridge

After the heart-stopping 4-2 extra-time survival against Wrexham, Chelsea fans might have been holding their breath during the draw. However, the balls were kind to Liam Rosenior’s side.

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​The Blues will host Port Vale, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. The League One side reached the last eight for the first time in 72 years after stunning Sunderland 1-0. While Chelsea are heavy favorites on paper, they will need to show more defensive discipline than they did in Wales to avoid becoming the next victim of a Port Vale giant-killing.

The Rest of the Field

• ​Southampton vs. Arsenal: The Gunners, currently chasing a quadruple, travel to St. Mary’s. Southampton are the only Championship side left in the draw and will be looking to build on their upset victory over Fulham.

• ​West Ham/Brentford vs. Leeds United: The winner of tonight’s final fifth-round tie will host Daniel Farke’s Leeds United, who comfortably dispatched Norwich 3-0 to reach this stage.

Quarter-Final Schedule

Mark your calendars—all matches are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, 2026.

About The Author

Prince Oduro

Prince Oduro is a football writer and editor at 90 Plus Ghana, covering Ghanaian football, CAF competitions, and major European leagues. With a strong focus on accurate reporting, transfer news, and match analysis, he delivers timely and engaging football content for fans across Africa and beyond.

He closely follows the Ghana Premier League, Black Stars, and top European competitions, ensuring readers stay informed with reliable updates, rumours, and insights. His work is driven by passion for the game and commitment to credible sports journalism.

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