Port Vale to Face Chelsea as FA Cup Quarter-Final Lineup Confirmed

KATHMANDU: Lower-league side Port Vale FC will take on Chelsea FC in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after the draw for the last eight was confirmed.

Port Vale, who play in England’s League One, reached the quarter-finals after defeating Sunderland AFC in the previous round. The team will now travel to Chelsea’s home ground for the highly anticipated clash.

In another blockbuster tie, defending champions Manchester City FC will host fierce rivals Liverpool FC. Meanwhile, record 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal FC will travel to face Southampton FC, who currently sit eighth in the Championship.

The fourth quarter-final will see Leeds United FC visit West Ham United FC.

West Ham secured their place in the last eight after defeating Brentford FC 5–3 in a penalty shootout following a dramatic 2–2 draw on Monday.

The Hammers reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in a decade and will now host Leeds United in the next round.

Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring for West Ham in the 19th minute, but Brentford equalised eight minutes later through Igor Thiago. Bowen restored West Ham’s lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

Brentford were awarded a penalty of their own in the 80th minute, and Thiago converted to make it 2–2, forcing the match into extra time.

With neither side able to find a winner, the tie was decided on penalties. Brentford’s Dango Ouattara missed his spot-kick, allowing West Ham to seal a 5–3 shootout victory.

Among the remaining teams, Port Vale are the lowest-ranked side still in the competition. The last competitive meeting between Port Vale and Chelsea dates back to 1929.

The FA Cup quarter-final matches are scheduled to be played on April 4 and 5.