Roundup of Quarter-Final action of 2020-21 FA Cup as the final four contenders were finalised.
From throwing up South-Coast and North West derbies on Super Saturday to two tasty all Premier League encounters dominating Super Sunday, this round certainly had plenty of talking points as we round up the best of all four Quarter-Finals.
We also bring details of the semi-final line-up which take place in mid April 2021.
Bournemouth 0-3 Southampton
Southampton made a bright start in this South-Coast derby as Kyle Walker-Peters saw his low cross deflected in for an 10th minute own goal by Cameron Carter-Vickers, only for VAR to rule the Southampton right-back offside in the build-up.
Ryan Bertrand and Arnaut Danjuma then saw opportunities go amiss at opposite ends, before Walker-Peters triggered a 37th minute counter as he found Nathan Redmond to play Moussa Djenepo through to fire into bottom right corner to put the Saints ahead.
Redmond then added a second for the visitors in first-half injury time as he broke from a short throw in to curl across into the top left corner.
Bournemouth however came out fighting at the start of the second half as Jack Wilshire narrowly fired wide of the bottom left corner in the 48th minute.
Che Adams then saw his effort for Southampton ruled out five minutes later as he was adjudged offside during an one-two with Stuart Armstrong.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints then secured victory six minutes later when James Ward-Prowse intercepted Jack Stacey’s pass and found Redmond to lay off for Armstrong, who found the post with Redmond smashing in the rebound.
Armstrong and Redmond soon afterwards saw further shots denied whilst Sam Surridge saw a late header for the hosts saved, as Southampton held on for victory to book their second semi-final trip to Wembley in the last four seasons.
Everton 0-2 Manchester City
With Everton fielding a five-man defence, City found themselves struggling to impose them in the early stages, as Raheem Sterling went close with a 17th minute curler before Ben Godfrey at the other end saw two attempts blocked before Richarlison bicycle kicked over the bar.
Yerry Mina eventually had the best chance of the first half for the Toffees as his header from a corner looked destined for the top left corner of goal, until Oleksandr Zinchenko headed clear just off the line.
City had the better chances for much of the second half with Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Phil Foden seeing shots wasted, until Aymeric Laporte saw his 84th minute shot hit the bar and bounce off for Ilkay Gundogan to nod in on the rebound.
Victory was eventually confirmed six minutes later for Pep Guardiola’s Citizens when Kevin De Bruyne smashed in from Rodri’s flicked through ball, sealing a two goal win at Goodison Park as City made it four FA Cup semi-finals in five seasons.
Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United
A scrappy start saw both teams fail to produce clear-cut chances on goal until Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 23rd minute shot was cleared for a corner, which found Chilwell a minute later who shot upon goal with Oliver Norwood deflecting into his own net.
Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades however dug deep as Aaron Ramsdale denied further attempts from Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic, whilst Kepa Arrizabalaga saved David McGoldrick’s curler in first half injury time to preserve the Blues’ lead.
Pulisic made a lightning start to the second half just a minute in when he cut in from the right, only to see his first shot blocked before firing the rebound over the bar from close range.
Sheffield Utd however dug deep and McGoldrick saw his 67th minute header from Norwood’s cross fly just wide of the bottom left corner, before Oli McBurnie, Enda Stevens and Rhian Brewster all saw efforts destined for the left corner denied.
Chelsea eventually wrapped up victory in the 92nd minute when a swift break saw Ben Chilwell play through for substitute – Hakim Ziyech to knock down and rifle across into the bottom right corner, sealing a fourth semi-final appearance in last five seasons.
Leicester 3-1 Manchester United
Leicester made a bright start with Kelechi Iheanacho going close in the fourth minute before Jamie Vardy saw two shots blocked 13 minutes later, after Youri Tielemans shook off a knock to his ankle following a studs-up tackle from Anthony Martial.
Iheanacho eventually converted Leicester’s dominance into the opening goal after pouncing on Fred’s sloppy backpass, rounding Dean Henderson to fire the hosts ahead in the 25th minute.
Man Utd however struck back 13 minutes later when Paul Pogba’s cutback was flicked behind by Donny van de Beek for Mason Greenwood to smash in from space.
Pogba then saw a curled shot saved before Tielemans and Ayoze Perez saw their attempts for the hosts denied, with Perez curling his effort just wide of the bottom left corner prior to half time.
Leicester however begun the second half just like they begun the first on the front foot, which paid off just seven minutes into the half as Tielemans played an one-two with Iheanacho as he raced forward and rifled across into the bottom left corner.
Vardy and Perez then saw chances to pull a two goal advantage go to waste before Scott McTominay headed wide just minutes later from a return cross, after a corner clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s blocked cross.
Iheanacho eventually made sure of the Foxes’ first Quarter Final victory in the FA Cup since 1981-82 season, heading in from Marc Albrighton’s free-kick as Leicester then survived a late free-kick from Bruno Fernandes tipped over top left corner by Kasper Schmeichel.
Heavyweights Clash in Semi-Finals
Chelsea will meet Manchester City in a blockbuster semi-final clash at Wembley Stadium, with the winner of this tie set to be favourites in the Final on 15 May 2021.
Leicester will meanwhile meet Southampton in the other semi-final which marks the first FA Cup clash between these two teams to not be held in the month of January.
Semi-Final ties will be played across the weekend of 17-18 April 2021.