Penalties decide FA Cup tie after VAR drama and Cunha red card

by


Bournemouth won on penalties at home to 10-man Wolves to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals after a fifth round tie featuring a seven-minute Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check despite using semi-automated offside technology and a straight red card for visiting forward Matheus Cunha.

Matt Doherty spurned the chance to win the shootout for Wolves by sending his spot kick wide and, after Boubacar Traore hit the crossbar with their subsequent attempt, Luis Sinistera converted decisively to give Bournemouth a place in the last eight for the third time ever.

Bournemouth record signing Evanilson tapped in the 30th-minute opener on his first start since returning from a broken foot, but fans at the Vitality Stadium made their disgruntlement clear when Cherries wideman Milos Kerkez’s finish was eventually disallowed for handball, with the technology being trialled in this season’s competition appearing to make the decision no easier for officials.

Alex Scott was then denied a goal because of a more straightforward handball before the break, but Wolves levelled through Cunha’s spectacular long-range strike 15 minutes after the restart for his 15th goal of the season.

Cunha was sent off in the 120th minute for using an arm on Kerkez, kicking him while he was on the floor and headbutting him once he had risen, with Wolves’ top scorer having to be restrained as he made his way off in scenes similar to the Brazilian’s scuffle at Ipswich Town earlier this season.

Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara, Marcus Tavernier and Lewis Cook also scored in the shootout for Bournemouth, who briefly fell behind when Dean Huijsen was thwarted by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Jorgen Strand Larsen, Andre, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Toti Gomes were successful from the spot for Wolves, who had only nine of the 40 attempts at goal between the teams.

FA Cup fifth round fixtures and TV schedule

Saturday, 1 March

Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle (17:45 GMT) – ITV4 and ITVX

Sunday, 2 March

Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion (13:45 GMT) – ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player

Manchester United v Fulham (16:30 GMT) – BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Monday, 3 March

Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town (19:30 GMT) – ITV4 and ITVX

When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw 2025?

The draw will take place on Sunday, March 2 after United attempt to earn a third win over Fulham this season when the Cottagers visit Old Trafford.

That game starts at 4.30pm, so the earliest the draw could potentially take place is around 6.30pm.

All ties from the first round of the competition must be settled on the day, so there could be extra time and penalties if the score remains level, which would push the approximate time of the draw past 7pm.

FA Cup quarter-final draw: TV channel, online live stream

United vs Fulham is being shown by BBC Sport, which means the draw will be screened on BBC One.

Fans can follow the ceremony online and on the move via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, while the Football Association’s online channels will also be carrying coverage.

FA Cup schedule: Quarter-final dates 2025

Here are the rest of the dates in this season’s competition.

Quarter-finals – weekend of Saturday, March 29
Semi-finals – weekend of Saturday, April 26
Final – Saturday, May 17

FA Cup 2024/25 prize money

Here are the figures published by the FA for how much the winners and losers receive at various stages.

Third round – winners £115,000 / losers £25,000
Fourth round – winners £120,000
Fifth round – winners £225,000
Quarter-final – winners £450,000
Semi-final – £1 million / £500,000
Final – £2m / £1m




Leave a Comment