MANCHESTER, England — Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score the winner in extra time as Brighton came back to stun Newcastle 2-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals. Later on, Fulham defeated Manchester United on penalties after their match ended 1-1.
The match went to penalties after United’s Bruno Fernandes grabbed a second-half leveller following Calvin Bassey’s opener for Fulham in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
After a goalless extra time, Leno saved Victor Lindelof’s penalty, leaving United’s Joshua Zirkzee needing to bury his to keep their hopes alive. Yet he fired his effort straight at Leno sparking wild Fulham celebrations.
Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian and Antonee Robinson converted their penalties for Fulham, who will face Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals, Reuters reported.
Fulham caught United’s defence flat-footed from Andreas Pereira’s corner to strike first blood seconds before halftime, with Rodrigo Muniz nodding on for Bassey to head home in his first FA Cup appearance.
Fernandes levelled in the 71st minute when Diogo Dalot cut it back from the left-hand side and United’s skipper unleashed a left-footed shot from just inside the 18-yard box that sailed past two Fulham defenders and goalkeeper Leno on its way into the far corner to send the game into extra time.
“Unbelievable,” a smiling Leno told the BBC. “I think we deserved to win after 90 minutes. Of course, penalties, it is sometimes a lottery and luckily we won. The goalie coach told me couple of information, but my feeling is more important.
“I went the wrong way three times, but credit to our penalty takers – it is not easy. Brilliant job from all of us.”
Thirteen-times FA Cup winners United defeated Manchester City last year and lost to City in the 2023 final.
But Ruben Amorim’s men have struggled mightily this season, languishing 14th in the Premier League, five places below Fulham.
Both sides squandered chances at winning goals in the breathless affair at Old Trafford. United keeper Andre Onana dived to push away a shot from Emile Smith Rowe late in normal time.
United then had several terrific chances to seal the victory seconds before the whistle sounded.
Leno came out to save a point-blank shot from Alejandro Garnacho and then 17-year-old Chido Obi first stabbed the ball just wide of the net and then forced Leno to make a diving save.
Fulham reached their only FA Cup final in 1975 when they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United. Leno said he would like to see his team get back to Wembley for the final.
“Two years ago we lost here in the quarter-final (to Manchester United) and we’re in the quarter-final again,” he said. “We want to go to Wembley 100 per cent.”
United heads to Real Sociedad for the UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg on Thursday before hosting Arsenal in the Premier League.
Alexander Isak’s penalty put Newcastle ahead in the fifth round tie at St James’ Park.
Former Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh equalised before the break, setting the stage for an explosive second half, AFP reported.
Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon was sent off for violent conduct in the 83rd minute after shoving Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke in the head.
Brighton was also reduced to 10 men late in the second half when Tariq Lamptey was dismissed for a second booking.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side emerged victorious thanks to Welbeck’s strike in the closing stages of extra-time.
