Wolves ease into FA Cup fifth round

Wolves secured a comfortable passage into the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Sunday, scoring twice in the span of just 39 seconds to kill off any hopes of an upset.

In a match where their Premier League survival battle took a temporary backseat, Vitor Pereira’s side showed professionalism and efficiency, dispatching their Championship opponents with relative ease and keeping their dreams of a deep cup run alive.

Despite being embroiled in a tense relegation fight sitting just two points above the drop zone in the top flight Wolves made sure their focus didn’t waver as they navigated this tricky cup fixture. While their main priority remains securing their Premier League status, the club also has an opportunity to chase silverware, with the FA Cup representing a chance to make history. Wolves have not reached the FA Cup final since their last triumph in 1960, and though their domestic struggles have taken center stage, they remain in contention to go far in this year’s competition.

Wolves asserted control early on, pressing Blackburn high up the pitch and preventing the home side from settling into their rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Blackburn’s Todd Cantwell was caught in possession deep inside his own area. João Gomes reacted quickest, seizing the opportunity to fire in a shot that should have been comfortably dealt with by Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth. However, the Hungarian stopper made a complete mess of his save attempt, failing to get a firm grip on the ball as it squirmed past him and into the net, gifting Wolves the lead.

Barely had the Blackburn players recovered from the shock when Wolves struck again. Just 39 seconds after the restart, Nelson Semedo delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Matheus Cunha, who sprinted in behind the defense. With a burst of acceleration, the Brazilian forward left his markers trailing before unleashing a stunning shot that arrowed into the far corner of the net. This time, there was absolutely nothing Toth could do Cunha’s finish was pure class, and Wolves had put the game beyond doubt before Blackburn could even mount a response.

From that point onward, Wolves expertly managed the game, keeping Blackburn at bay and limiting their opportunities in front of goal. Pereira’s side showed a level of control and discipline that has sometimes been missing in their Premier League campaign, frustrating the home team and ensuring their passage into the next round was never in serious jeopardy. Despite Blackburn’s spirited attempts to claw their way back into the contest, Wolves' backline stood firm, with Max Kilman and Craig Dawson marshalling the defense superbly.

The victory serves as a morale boost for Wolves, who must now shift their attention back to the fight for survival in the Premier League. While their league form has been inconsistent, their FA Cup journey remains a bright spot in what has otherwise been a challenging campaign. With a favorable draw in the next round, they could find themselves edging closer to Wembley, keeping alive their hopes of a first FA Cup final appearance in over six decades.

Later on Sunday, Liverpool will aim to continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple when they travel to second-tier Plymouth. The Reds, who have already booked their place in the League Cup final after thrashing Tottenham in the semifinal second leg, remain on course for glory in multiple competitions. Arne Slot’s side leads the Premier League by six points with a game in hand and has also secured a spot in the Champions League last 16, making this a potentially historic season for the Merseyside club.

Meanwhile, Tottenham face a crucial FA Cup test away to Aston Villa, with under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou under mounting pressure. Having claimed earlier in the season that he always wins a trophy in his second year at a club, Postecoglou will see his options diminishing if Spurs suffer another cup exit. Villa, however, have been formidable at home, and if they eliminate Tottenham, the Australian’s bold statement could come back to haunt him as the North London side risks another season without silverware.

With FA Cup drama unfolding across the country, Wolves have already made their mark, securing their place in the fifth round in style and keeping their hopes of a long-awaited cup run alive.