Season › 2024-25 › General Forum FA Cup — 5th Round By Michael Kenrick 28/02/2025 74 Comments [Jump to last] After their meek departure from the competition at home to Bournemouth, there is no place for Everton in this weekend's 5th Round of the FA Cup, in which seven of the fixtures are set to trial semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) for the first time in domestic English football. Friday 28 February 202520:00 Aston Villa v Cardiff City — ITV 1 Saturday 1 March 202512:15 Crystal Palace v Millwall — BBC 112:15 Preston North End v Burnley — BBC iPlayer17:45 Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle — ITV 4 Sunday 2 March 202513:45 Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion — ITV 116:30 Manchester United v Fulham — BBC 1 Monday 3 March 202519:30 Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town — ITV 4 Semi-automated offside technology "Video Assistant Referees [VAR] will be active across all eight ties of this season’s Emirates FA Cup 5th round proper. "This will include in-stadium VAR announcements, where match officials will announce their final decision in relation to reviewed incidents to provide improved clarity and understanding for spectators and viewers. "The 5th round will also utilise semi-automated offside technology in all seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football. "The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup 5th round, in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season. "Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season. "Semi-automated offside technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters. The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process." The only match not being held at a Premier League venue in the upcoming round of the FA Cup is Preston North End, who play Burnley. Reader Comments (74) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Michael Kenrick 1 Posted 28/02/2025 at 08:31:04 Not being a great watcher of Champions League footy, where this has been in place for a couple of years now, I assume it improves the efficiency and consistency of decisions?And 'semi-automated' perhaps because a human still has to decide who makes the critical final touch, and when — the moment at which the offside decision must be made.I assume the video technology on which they rely is still based on 1/30th of a second full-frame rate? By my estimate, a ball kicked at say 67 mph travels about 1 m in that frame time. Players are potentially moving at about a third of that speed, so 1 foot let's say. That seems to me still like a significant margin of error. Perhaps the virtual graphics in slo-mo can interpolate more frames to improve the accuracy? It should be a good thing, you would hope… but PGMOL have managed to make a dog's dinner out of VAR to date… Dave Abrahams 2 Posted 28/02/2025 at 09:53:46 Michael (1) When I was younger one question came up quite often——What are the seven things a referee takes on the field with him, today you could make it at least eight things by adding bias, and that is definitely used where VAR is concerned and maybe you could arrogance and contempt. Danny O'Neill 3 Posted 28/02/2025 at 15:37:11 So like Rugby, where the spectators can hear the logic behind the decision? That would also make the officials more accountable.I agree with your last paragraph Michael @1. Nothing will ever be 100%, but football has managed to proper turn the solution into a bigger problem and create suspicion.I'll watch Villa tonight, wanting them to go through.Then tomorrow, I'm off the watch a League 1 match not too far away at Plough Lane. AFC Wimbledon v Bromley. Dave Abrahams 4 Posted 01/03/2025 at 09:36:06 Danny (3) Good on you Danny let us know what happens there! You know what I mean. Mark Murphy 5 Posted 01/03/2025 at 09:51:57 Im going to watch one of my local sides - Roffey FC.They play in the Southern Combination Premier and I used to manage and play for their vets. Im primarily going for the new bar that officially opens today but also to hurl abuse (under my breath) at a certain Ricardo Fernandez, the captain. He is the brother of that tw@t at Manyoo. Apparantly Bruno turns up at some games. As UTD are at Fulham tomorrow I guess theres a chance hell turn up today… UTFT Danny O'Neill 6 Posted 01/03/2025 at 12:35:47 I will do Dave.Just watched that challenge by the Millwall keeper on the Palace striker. Looks serious.Enjoy Mark. Sounds like a good day out. Brian Williams 7 Posted 01/03/2025 at 12:45:57 That challenge was horrendous. Wtf was the keeper thinking.Mateta is lucky ge didn't lose an eye.The more replays you see the more horrific it looks. Brian Williams 8 Posted 01/03/2025 at 13:26:41 Danny O'Neill 9 Posted 01/03/2025 at 13:54:20 Awful Brian. And a guy next to me suggested he didn't catch him in the head. I'm not sure what he was watching. Danny O'Neill 10 Posted 01/03/2025 at 13:54:40 Awful Brian. And a guy next to me suggested he didn't catch him in the head. I'm not sure what he was watching. Allen Rodgers 11 Posted 01/03/2025 at 15:15:23 Watched PNE v. Burnley, thought Deepdale would have been full but only a disappointing 17,000. Perhaps Preston fans are fed up of years of mediocrity. Robert Tressell 12 Posted 01/03/2025 at 15:24:54 Allen, I blame Moyes for lowering expectations 1998 to 2002 Rob Halligan 13 Posted 01/03/2025 at 17:43:54 Cunha of Wolves, sent off for a punch, a kick and a head butt all on the same Bournemouth player. Could face a lengthy ban for it, and will definitely miss the game against us next week. Rob Halligan 14 Posted 01/03/2025 at 18:09:51 Has anyone seen the Cunha sending off for Wolves against Bournemouth? He punched, kicked and then head butted the same Bournemouth player in a moment of absolute madness. He will surely face a lengthy ban for it, and will definitely miss the game against us next week. Christy Ring 15 Posted 01/03/2025 at 18:15:16 Great to see Cunha missing next Saturday night, he totally lost the plot, kicked the player on the ground and then head butted him and wouldn't leave the field, and that's his second time this season, so could get an extended ban, which will definitely cost Wolves, a headless chicken. Edward Rogers 16 Posted 01/03/2025 at 20:06:13 Thanks, Rob, I was just going to ask that very question re Cunha. Good news (for us anyway)! Danny O'Neill 17 Posted 01/03/2025 at 20:31:48 Apart from seeing that challenge on the Palace player just before I headed off, and seeing City seal it when I got back, I didn't really follow much of the FA Cup today. I'll catch it later on Match of the Day.As previously mentioned, I made the relatively short trip to Plough Lane to watch AFC Wimbledon v Bromley in League 2.A really enjoyable experience in a tidy stadium in the south London sun. Wish I'd taken my sunglasses. Honest football for those who are fed up with the hype of the Premier League.The Bromley supporters were barking mad and didn't stop from start to finish. Great to see, as they are supporting their local team, when there are many options available in London.When they scored, it was bedlam as half the stand rushed down the steps to he front to meet the players, who had run to the supporters. The security people were struggling and I thought a couple of players were going to end up in the first row!Seriously, I'd recommend it to anyone if you can't get to see Everton, or like today, we're not playing.For Dave. I've spoken to Tony. The boy played very well and you can be proud of him. He can grow into that position with game time and seems very settled in amongst the players and squad. Phil Roberts 18 Posted 01/03/2025 at 22:34:08 Yeah, good news about Cuhna not being available next week.And given he was being touted as going to any number of the moneyed clubs that Sky loves, I am sure there are a number of DOFs and Managers thinking, well maybe not.Wolves in financial stuck now with £60m+ probably not coming their way and a bit of nutter playing No9 Dave Abrahams 19 Posted 02/03/2025 at 11:56:31 Danny (17), Yes Danny a lot to be said for watching lower grade football and ten out of ten to the supporters who followed their local team instead of teams in the premier league, they really are genuine supporters. Ill speak to Tony later when he comes thanks for support there as well, see you soon Danny hopefully. Mark Murphy 20 Posted 02/03/2025 at 13:48:10 Is it compulsory now for the kick off to be played straight back to the keeper?? Mark Murphy 21 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:24:01 Would maybe have been soft but how was that not a pen for Brighton there? The Newcastle player clearly kicked the Brighton lad who was in the air?? Mark Murphy 22 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:28:11 I knew that was a red card if the ref saw it! Absolute stupidity by Gordon! Misses the “cup” final, the daft twat! Colin Crooks 23 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:29:32 Gordon most definitely is a moron Rob Halligan 24 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:46:06 Why does any new posts on this thread not show up on the main menu? Rob Halligan 25 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:47:06 It was a straight red for Gordon, so can be appealed, but I doubt very much it would be successful. Mark Murphy 26 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:48:29 And there we go again - kick off straight back to the keeper! I keep getting stick from other fans saying its only us do that but from what Ive seen on MOTD its most teams now. Mark Murphy 27 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:50:36 Rob, it was a straight red because he “punched” him in the head. Mightve been a bit of a girly punch but it was a punch nonetheless.The soft tit!Clare Balding would kick the shite out of him! Rob Halligan 28 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:54:00 Mark, have you seen the new 8 second rule for goalkeepers? A goalie has to release the ball within 8 seconds of getting it, otherwise the other team get a corner. Loads saying Jordan Pickford is the only one who falls to the floor after catching a ball, so he will get punished for that. Every goalkeeper on planet earth falls to the floor when catching a ball, so why pick on JP? Mark Murphy 29 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:54:47 Its a shame we missed out on Davey Weir. Some of these “unknown” Brighton players look very decent on the ball. Rob Halligan 30 Posted 02/03/2025 at 15:55:28 Yes Mark, straight red for violent conduct! Mark Murphy 31 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:02:36 To be fair Rob, the article I saw on that had accompanying photos of Martinez of Villa and the Arsenal keeper whos name, due to altzeimers or some shit, I cant remember.JP certainly plays it but all teams do when it suits them. Rob Halligan 32 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:04:38 Raya!I meant the HYS on the BBC, Mark. A lot of fans of other teams specifically picking on JP. Mark Murphy 33 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:10:14 Course they are, Rob. And the vast majority of them would love him to be their goalie.With the possible exception of Paul “Hewey” Hewitt… 🤪 Tony Abrahams 34 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:14:04 A great concept Rob, or just another thing that suits the most talented squads?You used to be able to counteract skill, with sheer hard work and physicality but that went out of the window, especially with these talented players knowing how to play the referee, so there are no levellers, anymore, imo.You can just imagine the timekeeping on this one, depending on the teams, and why they have chosen 8 seconds is probably the hardest thing to fathom, when you actually stop and think about this new law. Rob Halligan 35 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:14:31 Get in……Danny Welbeck 2-1 for Brighton. Paul Hewitt 36 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:14:54 Yes. Get out Geordies. Ian Bennett 37 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:15:35 Quality finish from Welbeck. Rob Halligan 38 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:15:42 Tony, I've read that the 6-second rule is still in force, but it's never applied. Colin Crooks 39 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:15:43 Yes Colin Crooks 40 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:24:11 Maggots are fucking gutted.Cunts Ray Roche 41 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:25:04 Rob, I read today that referees didnt like the 6 second rule because they were required to give an indirect free kick which was deemed to be too severe a punishment, so were reluctant to use the rule. Rob Halligan 42 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:27:29 Crazy, Ray. A bit like not giving a penalty for a shirt pull, despite it being a foul anywhere else on the pitch! Mark Murphy 43 Posted 02/03/2025 at 16:38:51 Christ! 50 years since one of my earliest disappointments watching the Blues! FA cup quarter final at home to Fulham. I feel VERY old 👴🏻 Mark Murphy 44 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:09:28 This United - Fulham game has nowhere near the skills of the Skunks - Brighton game.United are very poor to watch these days. Liam Mogan 45 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:14:44 Alex Iwobi has played a couple of quality passes today.Denigrated by many, I thought he was a decent player, who came through an initial difficult 12 months. Wish we still had him. Rob Halligan 46 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:17:14 Get in…….Fulham 1-0. Rob Halligan 47 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:18:26 Classic chant by the Fulham fans…………”Bruno Fernandes, he looks like a rat” 😂😂😂😂 Mike Gaynes 48 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:20:29 Fine set piece goal Fulham. Love seeing those miserable red faces at Old Trafford. Is THAT what they're saying, Rob? I couldn't make it out. That's hilarious. Rob Halligan 49 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:26:32 Think Fernandes heard it as well, Mike, as he seemed to be laughing at it. He wasnt laughing thirty seconds later! 🤣🤣🤣 Mike Gaynes 50 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:38:04 You must have heard a lot of great chants over the years, Rob.Sadly, US sports fans have zero knack for that kind of thing. Or singing either.Amazing statistic. Man U have not led at HT in 21 straight games. Rob Halligan 51 Posted 02/03/2025 at 17:55:27 Dont think thats right, Mike, they led us 2-0 at half time this season. Unless you mean home and away. Sure that game against us was less than 21 games ago for them though. Rob Halligan 52 Posted 02/03/2025 at 18:00:27 Fuck! 😡😡 Mike Gaynes 53 Posted 02/03/2025 at 18:05:24 Ah, shit, the rat is smiling now.Rob, the stat was right. Their game with us December 1 was the last time they led. They played 9 more games in December, 7 in January, all comps. Mike Gaynes 54 Posted 02/03/2025 at 18:31:48 ET at OT Mark Murphy 55 Posted 02/03/2025 at 18:46:12 Phone home Mark Murphy 56 Posted 02/03/2025 at 18:47:48 I still think we shouldve taken Willian on a free. Cracking player! Mike Gaynes 57 Posted 02/03/2025 at 18:53:04 He is, Mark Neil Tyrrell 58 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:13:57 United should let Onana take a pen, hopefully it would work out as well as it did for us v Fulham Mike Gaynes 59 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:21:42 Buh bye, United! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Rob Halligan 60 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:22:59 Hahaha……get in! Neil Tyrrell 61 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:26:11 Well in Leno! Kinda shit pens the ones he saved but who cares? Good day all around with Skunks and Manure knocked out. Tony Abrahams 62 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:29:47 Thirty years ago, I remember getting to our hotel before the Man Utd FA Cup Final, and Fulham were having a fund raising dinner to commemorate playing in the FA Cup Final 20 years earlier against West Ham, because they were absolutely skint.I remember sweetening up their directors, and they let me pick up the replica FA Cup they had on display, but they weren't ready for me and I ran out the dinner and straight into the other room full of Evertonians, with the cup above my head! 😂Funny that, you can imagine the pandemonium when I was suddenly mobbed and the cup was robbed off me.😂😭Great memories, I can't believe it's nearly 50 years, since I watched my first FA Cup Final and Taylor won the cup for The Hammers. I hope Fulham go one better for Marco Silva, who I've always thought could have been a very good Everton manager if he had had a better DOF than Marcel Brands. Kieran Kinsella 63 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:39:33 Micah Richards on BBC: “All of the big teams are out.”Lol – plucky little City, eh! Liam Mogan 64 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:50:00 The best thing that's happened today was that I remembered that I never have to put up with Dycheball ever again. Joe McMahon 65 Posted 02/03/2025 at 19:58:37 Kieran, exactly. Not only is it dismissive of Forrest European Cup winners (twice) and Villa European Cup winners, but try telling that to the many fulham fans making a long trip back on a Sunday night. Sick to my back teeth of TV pundits earning big money on easy street.Carragher referred to AFCON as not a major competition, because he's wetting his pants at thought of losing Saint Salah for a few weeks. Ian Jones 66 Posted 02/03/2025 at 21:06:24 I notice this from the original post...'Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.'The Premier League should only bring this new offside technology in at the start of a season, not in the middle. Otherwise, the PL are asking for trouble. Ray Roche 67 Posted 03/03/2025 at 08:41:31 Youre right Ian, you shouldnt be changing the rules in the middle of the season. Unless, of course, it favours the Sky Six.FIFA, UEFA etc. have bent/changed the rules in the past but solely to favour the club they thought would bring in more tv revenue. John Raftery 68 Posted 03/03/2025 at 22:47:52 Six of the last eight in the FA Cup quarter finals are in the top ten of the Premier League. The exceptions are Palace who are 12th and Preston from the Championship. Without checking previous years, that feels like the norm. Paul Ferry 69 Posted 05/03/2025 at 19:54:41 Is this a good place to type come on Paris clobber the shite Brian Williams 70 Posted 05/03/2025 at 20:06:12 Any place is a good place for that Paul. Michael Kenrick 71 Posted 05/03/2025 at 20:08:38 Just for you, Paul (and everyone else, of course):Champions League — Round of 16 Paul Ferry 72 Posted 05/03/2025 at 21:36:48 Says comments are closed MK Paul Ferry 73 Posted 05/03/2025 at 21:37:44 The shite have been so spawny and PSG could/should have had a penalty. Paul Ferry 74 Posted 05/03/2025 at 21:47:08 Ah feck off you satanic spawn. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb