Historic achievement. Port Vale reach FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years

Port Vale pulled off a sensational FA Cup breakthrough, advancing to the quarter-finals for only the second time in their history—and for the first time since the 1953/54 season.

The match’s standout hero was Ben Waine, a lifelong Newcastle supporter and fierce rival of Sunderland. His goal secured Vale’s victory over the Black Cats and proved decisive in sending the team through to the last eight.

It’s worth noting that Port Vale have knocked out a Premier League side for the first time since the 1995/96 campaign, when they eliminated Everton in the fourth round.

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For Sunderland, the match served as another reminder of their weaknesses under Le Bris. Despite enjoying more possession, the team has lost 16 out of 35 games with higher ball control, compared to just 8 out of 49 when seeing less of the ball.