Championship Managers Prioritize Promotion Over Cup Run

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna expressed clear relief after his team’s FA Cup exit on Friday night. ‘If you look at the schedule and where we would fit in the games for an FA Cup run, to be honest it was really hard to see how that wouldn’t have been to the detriment of the group,’ McKenna stated. ‘Having said that, we’re competitive people and it’s a proud football club and there’s a fantastic support here tonight (1,100), so we tried to balance those goals. The players tried and we went to the last second with it.’

McKenna made 10 changes to the lineup against Wrexham, focusing on Ipswich’s fourth-place position in the Championship with 54 points—five behind leaders and with games in hand. Automatic promotion promises at least £100 million in revenue, dwarfing the FA Cup’s £2.1 million prize.

Hull City, also fifth in the Championship, made 10 changes and fell to Chelsea. Fulham scraped through at Stoke with 10 alterations, while Burnley, West Brom, Oxford United, and Aston Villa suffered defeats after heavy rotations. Southampton and West Ham needed extra time to advance despite 10 changes each, and Manchester City labored past Salford after nine.

Lineup Changes in FA Cup Fourth Round

Across 14 ties, teams averaged 13 changes, signaling the competition’s diminished priority for promotion chasers despite scrapped replays.

VAR Emerges as Essential Tool After Error-Filled Weekend

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledged VAR’s necessity despite benefiting from its absence. Officials erred repeatedly: Aston Villa-Newcastle saw an offside goal stand, a penalty overlooked, Lucas Digne avoid a red card, and a handball inside the box ruled a free-kick outside. At Manchester City, Omar Marmoush’s onside goal was disallowed.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe noted referees’ reliance: ‘I think there’s an argument to say that [referees are reliant], because when VAR is there, there’s always a, ‘Well, I won’t give that, but let’s check it’. … I’m always torn on VAR … I still love the emotion … But then on the other side, I was wishing there was VAR on the first goal against us.’

VAR returns in round five, underscoring its role amid growing officiating demands.

Summerville Fuels West Ham’s Survival Bid

Crysencio Summerville has transformed since joining West Ham from Leeds for £25 million. After a slow start, he netted six goals in seven games, including a 95th-minute winner against Burton Albion.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo praised: ‘He’s in a good moment, he is full of confidence … It’s all about confidence.’ Burton’s Gary Bowyer lamented Nuno not resting him alongside Jarrod Bowen. Summerville’s direct style boosts West Ham’s relegation fight and Netherlands World Cup hopes.

Grimsby’s Muddy Pitch Celebrates FA Cup Tradition

Grimsby Town’s rain-soaked Blundell Park created a muddy battle Wolves won to advance. Wolves manager Rob Edwards commended ground staff. The FA provided cover to ensure play, preserving the cup’s gritty charm amid modern sanitization.

Clement Revives Norwich’s Season

Norwich City manager Philippe Clement has steadied the ship since November, turning second-bottom form (nine points from 15 games, zero home wins) into one loss in eight. A 3-1 FA Cup win over West Brom highlighted progress.

‘It doesn’t matter what the competition is, we want to win every game – we are trying to build a winning culture,’ Clement said. Norwich tops points tallies across top three tiers in recent matches, reaching round five for the first time in four years.

Chelsea Players Snub Hull Mascots in Viral Clip

Chelsea’s squad drew criticism for ignoring six young Hull City mascots upon stadium arrival. The video, viewed over 3.4 million times, shows players like Jesse Derry, Shim Mheuka, Estevao, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato, and Mamadou Sarr bypassing excited children—a tone-deaf moment alienating fans from elite football.