Since 2001, the traditional ‘Big Five’ in the English game have won 21 of 24 FA Cup finals.
Arsenal leads the way with seven victories (2020, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2005, 2003, 2002), followed by Chelsea with five wins (2018, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007). Liverpool (2022, 2006, 2001) and the two Manchester clubs – City (2023, 2019, 2011) and United (2024, 2016, 2004) – have each won three times.
The only clubs to break the ‘Big Five’s’ dominance are Leicester (who defeated Chelsea in 2021), Wigan (who shocked Manchester City in 2013), and Portsmouth (who edged Cardiff in 2008). All three of those finals ended 1-0. The 2008 final was also the last time none of the ‘Big Five’ reached the final.
There is a strong possibility that we could see a repeat of 2008 as, of the five, only Manchester United and Manchester City remain in this week’s last 16 matches.
Both Manchester clubs are having a torrid season. City, so dominant in recent years, has only the FA Cup to play for, while United is still in the Europa League.
The FA Cup represents their best chances of glory, with City taking on Plymouth at home and United hosting Fulham.
However, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Brighton all harbour hopes of reaching Wembley.
The tie of the round is undoubtedly the Newcastle-Brighton clash at St James’ Park.
Brighton is in hot form, winning its last four matches, and won away to Newcastle earlier in the season.
Newcastle is through to the League Cup final against Liverpool in two weeks. It is keeping its fingers crossed that its 21-goal striker, Alexander Isak, recovers from a groin strain for this tie.
Another all-Premier League tie sees Bournemouth hosting Wolves.
Bournemouth’s best run in the FA Cup was reaching the quarterfinals in 1957 and 2021, but it is playing some scintillating football.
Many consider it a dark horse this year. The club has dropped to seventh in the Premier League but still has a chance of qualifying for Europe for the first time in history.
It can do so via its league position or by winning the FA Cup.
Separately, VAR makes its return to the FA Cup from this round onwards. It was not used in the earlier rounds as not all teams in the lower divisions had the technology.
Intriguingly, the FA Cup will introduce semi-automated offside technology for all the fixtures except for the Preston-Burnley tie.
The semi-automated offside was used at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, but Professional Game Match Officials Limited and Premier League officials insisted on further refinements.
Hopefully, it will end all debates over marginal offside calls – or simply spark fresh controversy.
FA Cup (Fifth round, Malaysian times)
March 1
Crystal Palace vs Millwall (8.15pm)
Preston vs Burnley (8.15pm)
Bournemouth vs Wolves (11pm)
March 2
Manchester City vs Plymouth (1.45am)
Newcastle vs Brighton (9.45pm)
March 3
Manchester United vs Fulham (12.30am)
March 4
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich (3.30am)
