HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: The FA Cup trophy on display ahead of the FA Cup Second Round match between Hartlepool United and Blyth Spartans at Victoria Park on December 5, 2014 in Hartlepool, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

VIDEO: Bradford City upsets, Arsenal Cruises in FA Cup action

Just like with yesterday, we had a rather interesting FA Cup Sunday. Three of the four games remaining took place and the Quarterfinal field looks much clearer now.

 

Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City

Aston Villa dragged out a win over Leicester City. The first half was nothing to write home about except for a pretty good performance by Villa goalkeeper Shay Given. Aston Villa got the goal scoring going with a great Leandro Bacuna curler. Bacon got the ball on his favorite foot and there was no doubt. Scott Sinclair made it 2-0 after a gaffe by Leicester City’s goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Even an Andrej Kramarac header in stoppage time wasn’t enough and Aston Villa advanced.

 

Bradford City 2-0 Sunderland

John O’Shea scored an own goal to put Bradford City up 1-0 and it all went downhill from there. It got as ugly as the playing surface. This game was a throwback to the English games of the 70’s. It was a game played in a stadium with local ads, with what looks like apartment buildings lining the outside, a field that was clearly not in pristine condition and a game that was as physical as those days. Jonathan Stead took advantage of a Sunderland defender at the endline and got the 2-0 win. Bradford City got past Chelsea and now are past Sunderland. Maybe manager Phil Parkinson will get his wish and get Manchester United in the FA Cup.

 

Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough

Arsenal capped off the undefeated home team streak today by beating Middlesbrough rather handedly. Middlesbrough got through Manchester City but Arsenal was on another level. Olivier Giroud put up a brace and Arsenal is through to the Quarterfinals.

 

Seven of the eight FA Cup fifth round games are complete and we haven’t had the need for replays. Preston North End and Manchester United play tomorrow but as of now, there are four EPL teams (WBA, LIV, AVL, ARS) still alive in the FA Cup, two Championship teams (REA, BRV) and Bradford City as the lone League One team. All of these teams are still alive as the FA Cup continues.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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