Leeds Overcome Birmingham Threat to Progress to FA Cup Fifth Round

Leeds managed to get past an FA Cup fright and advance to the fifth round via a penalty shootout triumph over second-division Birmingham on Sunday.

Substitute Patrick Roberts for Birmingham grabbed a last-gasp equaliser in the 89th minute at St Andrews, nullifying Lukas Nmechas 49th-minute strike that had put Leeds ahead.

In a heated fourth-round encounter that ended 1-1 following extra time, Leeds secured a 4-2 win in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Daniel Farkes players Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson, and Sean Longstaff each successfully netted their spot-kicks.

Leeds keeper Lucas Perri stopped Tommy Doyles attempt, and then Roberts blazed his shot above the bar.

Fighting to stay in the Premier League and dodge the drop, Leeds now need just one more victory to make the quarter-finals, something they havent achieved since 2003.

Wolves likewise sidestepped a potential shock by beating fourth-division Grimsby 1-0.

Grimsby had earlier this season caused a major upset by defeating Manchester United in the League Cup.

However, Wolves escaped any such mishap courtesy of Santiago Buenoss goal in the 60th minute, which came from their initial effort on target amid the muddy conditions at Blundell Park.

It wasnt until Andy Cooks headed effort in the 90th minute that Grimsby finally tested Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

This marked Wolves first victory on the road since their April success against Manchester United.

Despite a tough campaign that has them languishing at the foot of the Premier League table and facing near-certain relegation, Rob Edwards outfit might yet find some consolation in the FA Cup.

Fulham mounted a comeback to secure a 2-1 victory away at second-division Stoke.

Manager Marco Silva of the Cottagers rotated his squad with 10 alterations following their recent loss to Manchester City in midweek, almost regretting the bold decision.

After 19 minutes, South Koreas Bae Jun-ho finished off a promising attack to give Stoke the lead.

Brazilian forward Kevin, however, earned his due for a standout display by rifling a first-time effort into the lower corner in the 55th minute.

Harrison Reed sealed Fulhams turnaround in the 84th minute, capitalising on a wayward pass from Stoke custodian Tommy Simkin to finish coolly.

Sunderland advanced to the fifth round for the first time in a decade, since 2015, thanks to a contentious penalty from Habib Diarra that delivered a 1-0 success against second-division Oxford.

Under Regis Le Bris, the team took the lead in the 32nd minute after Dennis Cirkin went down following a challenge from Christ Makosso.

Despite strong objections from Oxford, official Thomas Kirk awarded the penalty, and Diarra made no mistake in slotting it away with composure.

Sundays final fixture sees Premier League frontrunners Arsenal welcoming struggling third-division side Wigan.