Accrington Stanley's Scottish striker Aaron Pressley (L) vies with Leeds United's Dutch midfielder Crysencio Summerville during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Accrington Stanley and Leeds United at the Wham Stadium in Accrington, north west England on Jan 28, 2023.PETER POWELL/AFP/Getty Images
While they are fighting for survival in the English Premier League, Leeds, Leicester and Southampton are advancing in the FA Cup.
Securing top-flight status remains the priority for all three, but the cup is providing some welcome relief from their battles against relegation.
Leeds won against third-tier Accrington Stanley 3-1, Leicester overcame fourth-tier Walsall 1-0, and bottom-of-the-league Southampton won against second-division Blackpool 2-1 on Saturday.
Goals from Leeds’ Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo and Luis Sinisterra ended any chance of a miracle for Accrington in front of its home fans at Wham Stadium. Leslie Adekoya, however, gave them something to cheer with a late consolation goal.
It was only Leeds’ second win since Nov. 5, both of them coming in the FA Cup.
Leicester — cup winner in 2021 — needed a 68th-minute goal from Kelechi Iheanacho to end Walsall’s resistance in a match that also saw Youri Tielemans miss a penalty.
Leicester’s only other win since Dec. 20 was in the previous round of the cup.
Romain Perraud scored twice in Southampton’s win. Charlie Patino pulled one back for Blackpool.
Sunderland 15-year-old substitute Christopher Rigg thought he scored a famous winner against the Premier League’s Fulham, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Rigg struck in time added on at Craven Cottage, but the second division team’s celebrations were soon cut short.
Sunderland took an early lead through Jack Clarke, and Tom Cairney equalized for Fulham to set up a replay.
There will also be replays for Sheffield Wednesday and Fleetwood (1-1), Ipswich and Burnley (0-0), Luton and Grimsby (2-2) and Blackburn and Birmingham (2-2).
Second division Bristol City was through to fifth round after beating West Brom 3-0.