‘Bullied’ Leicester crash out; City star makes statement, reflects on ‘lowest’ moment: FA Cup Wrap

Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City eased into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win against Bristol City, while 2021 winners Leicester suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against second tier Blackburn.

Pep Guardiola’s side were never in danger of a giant-killing in the fifth round tie at Ashton Gate thanks to Foden’s brace and a late strike from Kevin De Bruyne.

City will hope for another boost when Premier League leaders Arsenal, two points ahead of the champions, face Everton in their game in hand.

De Bruyne returned after missing two games through illness, while Kalvin Phillips started for only the second time since joining City from Leeds last year.

City took a seventh minute lead when Riyad Mahrez crossed to the far post, where Foden fired into the roof of the net.

Foden doubled City’s lead after 74 minutes as Julian Alvarez flicked towards Foden, who produced another clinical finish past Max O’Leary.

De Bruyne got the visitors’ third from long-range in the 81st minute to ensure the smoothest of nights for the six-time FA Cup winners.

It was an impressive game for Foden and one that meant a lot given the adversity he has faced, with the Manchester City star opening up on the “lowest parts” of his career post-game.

“I am feeling much better in my feet,” Foden said, reflecting on injuries and time spent out of the team.

“You know it is not easy sometimes when you play with discomfort in your feet.

“I feel 100 per cent fit now and comfortable so hopefully I can come back into the team and help them as much as possible. It has definitely [been frustrating], it has been one of the lowest parts of my career but everyone goes through them, it’s how you react.”

Leicester 'bullied' and booed off after shock defeat

Leicester were booed off by angry fans after Blackburn ended the Foxes’ bid to reach a second FA Cup final in three seasons.

Brendan Rodgers led Leicester to the club’s first ever FA Cup triumph in 2021, but Rovers punished woeful defending from the Premier League side to shatter their hopes of emulating that run.

With Leicester 14th in the top-flight, just three points above the relegation zone, Rodgers made six changes to the side beaten by Arsenal at the weekend and paid the price for his gamble.

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side, fourth in the Championship, are into the last eight for the first time since 2015.

Rovers took the lead when Tyrhys Dolan curled home from the edge of the area in the 33rd minute.

Sammie Szmodics made it 2-0 to Blackburn seven minutes after the break following good work by Sam Gallagher.

Kelechi Iheanacho netted from Harvey Barnes’ pass in the 67th minute, but Blackburn held on.

“Leicester are a strange team they suffer some real poor results and performances and then they can go on a run,” former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said on BBC Sport.

“They are a team in transition but performances like tonight will always worry a manager, they were bullied by at times by a Championship team here and they will need to get that out of their system.”

As for Blackburn, Osman said based on Wednesday’s game, they are “onto bigger and better things”.

“They showed all the different styles of how to win a game and dominated Leicester at all of them,” he said.

“They have group of young players who are going to develop and it is really enjoyable to see.”

Fulham's stunning 13-year first

Manor Solomon scored for the fourth time in four game as Fulham beat Leeds 2-0 at Craven Cottage to make the last eight for the first time since 2010.

Fulham, who have exceeded all expectations to climb to sixth place in the Premier League this year, took the lead through Joao Palhinha’s superb 25-year curler in the 21st minute.

Palhinha’s strike came after Georginio Rutter thought he had scored his first goal for Leeds when he tapped home after Marek Rodak had palmed the ball into his path.

But referee Chris Kavanagh ruled it out for a foul in the area and VAR did not intervene.

Israel forward Solomon, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, finished off Leeds in the 56th minute, curling in from the edge of the area after playing a one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Fulham can still dream of a first FA Cup final appearance since 1975.

But it was a first defeat for new Leeds boss Javi Gracia, whose side won 1-0 against fellow strugglers Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.

Brighton won 1-0 at second tier Stoke to reach the quarter-final for the third time in the last six seasons.

The Seagulls, who beat holders Liverpool in the fourth round, remain in the hunt for a first FA Cup final appearance since 1983.

Brighton landed the decisive blow in the 30th minute when teenage forward Evan Ferguson met Kaoru Mitoma’s pass with a close-range finish.

Among the four remaining fifth-round ties on Thursday, League Cup winners Manchester United host West Ham, while Tottenham travel to Sheffield United.

FA Cup results on Wednesday:

Fifth round

Stoke 0 Brighton 1 (Ferguson 30)

Leicester 1 (Iheanacho 67) Blackburn 2 (Dolan 33, Szmodics 52)

Fulham 2 (Palhinha 21, Solomon 56) Leeds 0

Bristol City 0 Manchester City 3 (Foden 7, 74, De Bruyne 81)