Everton parted ways with Sean Dyche on Friday after a tough run of just one win in their last 10 matches. Dyche, who had been in charge at Goodison Park for nearly two years, paid the price for the team’s poor form. In the wake of Dyche’s departure, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman were appointed as interim managers for Everton’s FA Cup clash against League One side Peterborough.
Everton’s Comfortable FA Cup Victory
Under the temporary leadership of Baines and Coleman, Everton secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Peterborough. The Toffees broke the deadlock just before halftime when Beto capitalized on a through ball from Harrison Armstrong. He calmly rounded the goalkeeper, Nicholas Bilokapic, and finished with ease.
In the second half, Iliman Ndiaye sealed the win for Everton with a penalty in stoppage time, after Jadel Katongo fouled Jarrad Branthwaite inside the box. The win extended Everton’s impressive FA Cup home record, as they have now won their last 10 FA Cup home games against lower-division sides, keeping seven clean sheets during that run.
Fulham’s FA Cup Progression with Comfortable Win
Fulham also progressed to the FA Cup fourth round with a dominant 4-1 victory over Championship side Watford. The match was level at halftime, with Watford’s Rocco Vata equalizing Rodrigo Muniz’s opener. However, Fulham took control in the second half. Raul Jimenez scored from the penalty spot after being fouled by Antonio Tikvic, and Joachim Andersen added another shortly after the hour mark. Timothy Castagne completed the scoring, ensuring a comfortable win for Marco Silva’s side.
This victory marked Fulham’s first time scoring four goals in an FA Cup match since January 2017, and they will aim to improve on their quarter-final run in the competition from two seasons ago.
Cardiff City Shocks Sheffield United in FA Cup
In another FA Cup upset, Cardiff City triumphed 1-0 over Sheffield United in an all-Championship battle at Bramall Lane. The only goal of the match came from Cian Ashford, who scored in the 19th minute to secure the win for Cardiff. At just 20 years and 107 days, Ashford became the youngest player to score for Cardiff in the FA Cup since Rubin Colwill did so against Liverpool in February 2022.
This unexpected victory was a blow to Sheffield United’s promotion hopes, as Cardiff stunned the higher-ranked team with a solid defensive performance.
penulis: Zanuar Farel Cristian