Southampton's Hail Mary Stun Fulham! Saints Reach First FA Cup Quarter-Final Since 2022

Last Updated:March 08, 2026, 20:05 IST

Southampton beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage, to advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals -- thanks to Ross Stewart, who scored a stoppage-time penalty.

Championship side Southampton pulled off a major FA Cup upset, defeating Premier League outfit Fulham 1–0 at Craven Cottage on Sunday to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Ross Stewart calmly converted a penalty, sealing a dramatic fifth-round victory for the visitors.

It was a bitterly disappointing result for Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose heavy squad rotation ultimately backfired. Silva made nine changes to the side that lost 1–0 to West Ham in the Premier League earlier in the week, hoping to refresh his team.

But the gamble failed to pay off.

Southampton grabbed the winner in the first minute of added time. Midfielder Finn Azaz was brought down in the penalty area by Fulham defender Joachim Andersen, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a spot-kick. Stewart stepped up and confidently fired the ball past goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte to send the away fans into celebration.

The victory marks Southampton’s first FA Cup quarter-final appearance since 2022 and offers a significant boost after their relegation from the Premier League last season.

Tribute to Historic FA Cup Triumph

Southampton’s victory also carried emotional significance. The players wore a special yellow commemorative kit to mark the 50th anniversary of the club’s iconic 1976 FA Cup triumph.

That famous day saw second-tier Southampton shock Manchester United at Wembley, with Bobby Stokes scoring the winner for manager Lawrie McMenemy’s side.

While the current squad still has some way to go to match that historic achievement, manager Tonda Eckert’s team is enjoying strong momentum.

The Saints are now unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions, strengthening their push for Championship play-off qualification while keeping their FA Cup dream alive.

More FA Cup Action to Come

Elsewhere in the fifth round, Sunderland travel to League One’s bottom side Port Vale, while Leeds United host Norwich City in an all-Championship clash. West Ham face Brentford on Monday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have already secured their places in the quarter-finals.

(with AFP inputs)

News sports football Southampton's Hail Mary Stun Fulham! Saints Reach First FA Cup Quarter-Final Since 2022

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