The Women's FA Cup fifth round is set, and the competition is heating up! But who would've thought that the road to glory would be paved with such a goal-fest?
A whopping 55 goals in 12 matches! That's right, the fourth round delivered a thrilling spectacle, with some of the biggest names in women's football showcasing their attacking prowess.
Liverpool, fighting for form in the league, found their scoring boots against London Bees. Two debutants, Denise O'Sullivan and Martha Thomas, stole the show, netting two of the six goals. O'Sullivan, a last-minute signing, took just two minutes to open her account, while Thomas headed in her debut goal. Alice Bergstrom, another recent recruit, also got in on the action, marking her second appearance with a goal.
Manchester City, leading the Women's Super League, put on a dominant display against Bournemouth. Khadija Shaw's powerful header set the tone, and City never looked back. Lauren Hemp and Laura Coombs added to the tally before halftime, and substitute Vivianne Miedema's brace in the second half sealed a comprehensive 6-0 win, extending their unbeaten streak.
And then there's the Manchester derby... well, almost. United faced Burnley, and the Red Devils emphatically secured their spot in the next round with a 5-0 victory. Captain Maya Le Tissier led by example, scoring early on, and new signing Lea Schuller and young talent Layla Drury added their names to the scoresheet.
In a battle of WSL giants, Arsenal, boasting 14 FA Cup wins, edged out Aston Villa 2-0. Captain Kim Little was the star, scoring one and assisting another. Arsenal's manager, Renee Slegers, was full of praise for Little, highlighting her all-around performance.
But here's where it gets interesting: Brighton, without their manager, faced a tough test against Nottingham Forest. A late header secured a 2-0 win, but it wasn't without a fight.
Elsewhere, Charlton Athletic smashed 10 goals past Swindon Town, Bristol City turned it around in extra time against Southampton, and Birmingham City and Sheffield United also progressed with convincing wins.
The fourth round was a dream come true for debutants, with several players making an immediate impact. Is this a sign of the growing competitiveness of the Women's FA Cup?
The draw for the fifth round promises more excitement, so mark your calendars for 19th January. And the action continues on 22nd February when the fifth-round matches are played.
Stay tuned to the Women's Football Weekly podcast for all the latest news and insights, and join the conversation: Are the big guns destined to dominate, or could we see some giant-killers in the upcoming rounds? Share your predictions!
