The magic of the FA Cup was alive and well this weekend, and nowhere was it felt more powerfully than at Vale Park. Port Vale, bottom of League One and 11 points adrift of safety, pulled off one of the shocks of the season by beating Premier League side Sunderland 1-0 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in the club's history.
It was the crowning moment of an extraordinary fifth-round weekend that also saw the big guns progress, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all booking their spots in the last eight. Tonight, West Ham host Brentford in the final fifth-round tie, with the quarter-final draw to follow.
Ben Waine's Header Sends Vale Park Into Dreamland
The hero of the hour was New Zealand striker Ben Waine, whose 28th-minute header was enough to see off a Sunderland side that simply never got going. It was Waine's second match-winning goal in the space of four days, having also netted the decisive strike in Tuesday's fourth-round replay win over Championship side Bristol City.
What makes Waine's contribution even sweeter is the personal touch. The 24-year-old is a boyhood fan of Sunderland's bitter rivals Newcastle United, meaning his celebration carried a little extra meaning.
"It doesn't get better than that," Waine said after the match. "That was something I've never even dreamt of, for it to go that way I think my family will be happy!"
Perhaps the most endearing moment came when Waine admitted he had not even realised the magnitude of the achievement. "I didn't even clock it was the quarters we got into to be honest! I just heard that. It's amazing."
Jon Brady's Remarkable Transformation at Vale Park
Since Jon Brady took charge of Port Vale in January, the turnaround has been remarkable. The Valiants have won four of their league games under the new manager, and their cup form has been nothing short of sensational.
In total, Port Vale have now won seven matches across the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, compared to just six of their 32 league fixtures. They have scored as many goals in cup competitions as they have in the entirety of their league campaign.
Brady himself was still coming to terms with what his side had achieved. "I haven't even looked who is in it," he said with a grin. "I couldn't believe we were in the last 16. I told my kids we were in the last 32!"
"It's nice to create history, isn't it?"
The last time Port Vale reached the FA Cup quarter-finals was 1954. Over 70 years later, a squad fighting relegation from League One has written a new chapter in the club's history.
Sunderland Left to Reflect on a Flat Performance
For Sunderland, it was a deeply disappointing afternoon. The manager named a strong side, making just two changes from the team that beat Leeds United in the Premier League in midweek. The intention was clear, but the execution was lacking.
The Black Cats struggled to create meaningful chances, particularly in the first half, and were caught out by Port Vale's organisation and desire. The absence of Granit Xhaka in midfield was keenly felt, as Sunderland lacked the control and tempo that the Swiss international brings.
Fifth-Round Results: The Big Guns March On
While Port Vale stole the headlines, the rest of the fifth-round weekend went largely to plan for the favourites.
Liverpool kicked off proceedings on Friday with a convincing 3-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Goals from Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones sealed a comfortable passage to the quarter-finals.
On SatuChelsea needed extra time to see off a determined Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground, eventually winning 4-2 after the Championship side had made them work hard for every goal.
Manchester City were perhaps the most emphatic of the big four, dismantling Newcastle United 3-1 away from home on Saturday evening. Pep Guardiola's squad, still chasing the quadruple alongside Arsenal, showed exactly why they remain one of the most feared sides in the competition.
On Sunday, Southampton edged past Fulham 1-0 thanks to a superbly taken penalty from Ross Stewart, while Leeds United cruised to a 3-0 win over Norwich City to complete a strong weekend of results.
Tonight's Fifth-Round Finale and the Quarter-Final Draw
The weekend's action wraps up tonight at the London Stadium, where West Ham welcome Brentford in the final fifth-round fixture (7:30pm GMT). The winner will join the seven sides already through to the last eight.
Immediately after the match, the quarter-final draw will take place, conducted by former England goalkeeper Joe Hart. With Port Vale guaranteed to be the lowest-ranked team in the hat, fans across the country will be hoping the draw gods deliver another glamour tie for the Valiants.
The quarter-final matches are scheduled for the weekend of 4 April 2026.
Why Port Vale's Story Matters
In an era of super clubs, sovereign wealth funds and billion-pound squads, Port Vale's journey is a reminder of why the FA Cup endures as the most beloved domestic cup competition in the world. A club bottom of League One, managed by a boss who could not believe they were even in the last 16, has reached the quarter-finals by playing with heart, organisation and belief.
As Ben Waine put it: "Over the last couple of weeks we have come together as a team and found something to drive us forward. We're sticking together."
Whatever happens next, Port Vale have already given their supporters a season they will never forget.