The FA Cup fourth round produced some classic cup ties and following a weekend of wonderful action, we’ve compiled a best XI from the stars who shone.
Here is our FA Cup fourth-round Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Lucas Covolon – Maidstone United
Maidstone United produced the result of the round as the non-league side’s fairytale run through the competition continued. Having upset Barrow and Stevenage to reach this stage, George Elokobi’s team stunned Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town with a 2-1 win at Portman Road.
Right-back: Conor Bradley – Liverpool
An excellent outing from the Reds right-back who is thriving in the senior side. Injuries have handed Bradley a chance in recent weeks and the 20-year-old has taken it, showing he can be a dependable option for Jurgen Klopp – and his future successor.
Centre-back: Teden Mengi – Luton
Luton won at Everton for the second time this season, following up a Premier League victory in September with FA Cup progress at Goodison Park this weekend.
Centre-back: Nathan Ake – Manchester City
Manchester City’s curse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was finally lifted as the holders progressed to the fifth round in North London. Nathan Ake’s goal, the club’s first-ever scored at the stadium in six attempts, was the difference between the teams and handed City a deserved win.
Left-back: Dan Burn – Newcastle
Excellent on his return to his former club, Dan Burn was involved in both goals as Newcastle reached round five for only the second time since 2005/06.
Midfield: Mateo Kovacic – Manchester City
Manchester City’s most impressive performer in their win at Spurs, the Croatian was at his elusive best in midfield.
Midfield: Sam Corne – Maidstone United
Maidstone’s hero, again.
Sam Corne scored in the second and third-round upsets of Barrow and Stevenage, before producing the goods once again in The Stones’ victory over Ipswich. The midfielder galloped forward on the counter-attack to score Maidstone’s winner at Portman Road, firing in a composed finish to continue his magic run in the competition this season.
Midfield: Alex Scott – Bournemouth
A brilliant performance from the Bournemouth midfielder who was at the centre of an impressive performance from Andoni Iraola’s side, who beat Swansea 5-0 on Thursday night.
Forward: David Brooks – Bournemouth
Bournemouth blitzed Swansea City to ease into the fifth round on Thursday night, with a punishing first-half performance setting the tone for a 5-0 rout. David Brooks was in delightful form for the Cherries, a welcome sight given an off-field battle that saw the midfielder diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021.
Forward: Lamar Reynolds – Maidstone United
Lamar Reynolds wrote his name into FA Cup history after scoring a sensational opener in Maidstone’s shock win over Ipswich. The winger lifted a fantastic finish over Christian Walton as George Elokobi’s side stunned the Championship promotion hopefuls on the counter.
Forward: Joao Pedro – Brighton
Brighton broke their transfer record to sign Joao Pedro last summer, with the £30m fee surprising some given the Seagulls’ tendency to unearth low-cost bargains.
