Following the culmination of the fifth round of the FA Cup, we’ve taken a look at the standout performers from the midweek fixtures. Included in the side are players from Newcastle, Leicester, Coventry, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Martin Dubravka (Newcastle) - 8.64
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was the hero for Eddie Howe’s side as they progressed past Blackburn in a penalty shootout on Tuesday evening. In 120 minutes, the 35-year-old made a total of eight saves, while he made a further two in the shootout to seal his side’s spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and take home a WhoScored rating of 8.64.
Hamza Choudhury (Leicester) - 7.97
Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury, who would typically play in the centre of midfield, slotted in at right-back for Enzo Maresca’s side in their 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was crucial in the Foxes’ defensive effort, which ultimately resulted in a clean sheet, making one tackle, three interceptions, two key passes and a goal line clearance on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.97.
Bobby Thomas (Coventry) - 8.15
23-year-old Coventry defender Bobby Thomas earns a place in our Team of the Round having helped the Sky Blues to a comprehensive victory and clean sheet against non-League side Maidstone United on Monday evening. Thomas contested a total of 10 aerial duels, of which he won nine, while he also made one tackle, three clearances and two successful dribbles to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.15.
Jannik Vestergaard (Leicester) - 7.74
Denmark international defender Jannik Vestergaard joins teammate Choudhury in our best XI after a strong defensive display in Leicester’s 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium. Vestergaard won four aerial duels, made three tackles and a huge 11 clearances, while maintaining a pass success rate of 86%, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.74.
Kostas Tsimikas (Liverpool) - 7.50
After providing the assist for Virgil van Dijk’s Carabao Cup winning header on Sunday afternoon off the bench, Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas was in from the start for Wednesday’s clash with Southampton at Anfield. The Greece international helped his side to a comfortable victory and clean sheet, making two tackles, four interceptions and two key passes in a 7.50-rated performance.
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) - 8.72
Though not the star of the show at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva was a crucial part of his side’s dominant 6-2 victory. Silva was successful in each of the three tackles he attempted, while he also made three interceptions, four key passes, one goal line clearance and provided the assist for Erling Haaland’s fifth - yes, fifth - goal of the evening.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 9.27
It was the Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland show for the first 55 minutes at Kenilworth Road when the Belgium international assisted all four of his teammate’s goals, those coming from each of his four key passes. De Bruyne became just the second player to assist four goals in an FA Cup match for a Premier League team since 2005 after former City captain Ilkay Gundogan achieved the feat in 2019.
Kasey Palmer (Coventry) - 8.92
Joining Coventry teammate Bobby Thomas in our best XI is midfielder Kasey Palmer, who provided the assists for Ellis Simms’ opening two strikes against Maidstone United inside just 14 minutes. The 27-year-old also made two tackles, one interception, two successful dribbles and three key passes to land a WhoScored rating of 8.92.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) - 8.95
Newcastle attacker Anthony Gordon continued his impressive season when he broke the deadlock for the away side at Blackburn on Tuesday evening, bringing his tally of goals to nine in all competitions. Gordon also completed three dribbles, made three tackles and four key passes to post a WhoScored rating of 8.95.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 10.0
With a perfect 10.0 WhoScored rating, the FA Cup Player of the Round is, of course, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian star netted five goals in a single match for Manchester City for the second time, having previously done so against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last season. Haaland found the target with all seven of his shots, while he also made two key passes, in what was a dominant display from the Premier League’s top scorer.
Ex-Everton striker Ellis Simms’ first-ever senior hat-trick - inside just 35 minutes - was enough to put Coventry out of sight against non-league side Maidstone United on Monday. The 23-year-old found the net with each of his three attempts on goal, while he also made two key passes, to register a WhoScored rating of 9.67.
