The line-up for the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup is now complete after Watford became the eighth and final team to advance yesterday evening, springing a shock on Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hornets march on the final eight after running out 4-2 winners over Spurs, who ended the game with nine men, at Vicarage Road.
Nickson Okosun broke the deadlock with just nine minutes played before Amin Nabizada, who made his league debut for the club just three days ago, doubled the home side's advantage. Spurs pulled a goal back but Nabizada's spot-kick restored Watford's two-goal lead before the break.
Tottenham made it 3-2 to set up a nervy finale but an own goal allowed the hosts to breathe a sigh of relief to see out the tie.
💥 https://t.co/Kjy4CiompU pic.twitter.com/oRNxNdClCI
— Watford FC Academy (@WatfordFCAcad) February 13, 2025
Meanwhile, eleven-time competition winners Manchester United secured their place in the next round, putting in a five-star performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
United – the FA Youth Cup's most successful team who have lifted the trophy more than any other side – beat Chelsea 5-1 at Leigh Sports Village, as the hosts had to come from behind.
Adam Lawrence's side found themselves 1-0 down inside 20 minutes but a Chido Obi hat-trick and a brace from James Scanlon saw the Red Devils through.
#FAYouthCup quarter-finalists 👏
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 12, 2025
Watch every United goal from our #MUAcademy U18s' 5-1 win over Chelsea 👇#MUFC
Elsewhere, Plymouth Argyle caused an upset, ousting three-time winners Everton from the competition on a memorable evening at Walton Hall Park.
Plymouth, who beat Lincoln City and Carlisle United en route to the fifth round, took an early lead after Kian Burch was fouled inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot before midfielder Cole Fisher stepped up to convert the penalty.
Jamie Lowry’s Pilgrims held on to their slender 1-0 lead for the remaining 88 minutes of the game, setting up a final eight tie with Aston Villa.
Defending champions Manchester City took a step closer to retaining their crown after toppling Leeds United 6-1 in the fifth round of the competition at the LNER Stadium.
It took just four minutes for City – who ran out 4-0 winners over the Whites in last season’s final – to make the breakthrough as Matty Warhurst opened the scoring for the visitors.
With 20 minutes played, Leeds were reduced to ten men and Oliver Reiss’ team took advantage. Reigan Heskey, Ryan McAidoo, Finlay Gorman and Luca Fletcher added to the growing scoreline, while Warhurst bagged a brace.
On the same night, Aston Villa’s hat-trick hero Mason Cotcher took home the match ball as the Villains came from 2-0 down to edge out Bristol City in a 3-2 victory to reach the quarter-final.
England youth international Cotcher notched the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time to clinch a dramatic last gasp win for Villa.
The Young Lions love a comeback 😄 pic.twitter.com/Ee5EeVOXJJ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 4, 2025
Further south, a 4-1 win over Derby County at St Mary’s Stadium saw Southampton seal their place in the final eight.
Just 16 seconds in, the Rams went ahead but Saints flipped the script and by the time the break came around, the hosts were 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Sufianu Sillah Dibaga and Baylee Dipepa.
Dipepa added a second and Southampton’s third after the restart before Harry Gathercole added a fourth to apply the finishing touches.
And a sold-out Motspur Park witnessed Arsenal secure their place in the quarter-final as the young Gunners ran out 2-1 winners over cross-city rivals Fulham away from home.
Arsenal fashioned a 2-0 lead in the first period, courtesy of Andre Harriman-Annous and Max Dowman. The Cottagers halved the deficit before the break, but the north Londoners held on to progress.
What. It. Means.#AFCU18 | #FAYouthCup pic.twitter.com/KsjS1qKOe6
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) January 31, 2025
West Bromwich Albion became the first team to book their spot in the final eight, coming from behind to advance to the quarter-final, beating Norwich City 4-2 at Carrow Road.
It was the home team who took the lead inside 10 minutes, only for West Brom to respond almost instantly and the Baggies kicked on from there as Divine Onyemachi, Cole Deeming, Rio Parmar and Oliver Bostock each made the scoresheet.
