WAINE THE HERO AGAIN AS PORT VALE ELIMINATE SUNDERLAND TO REACH FA CUP QUARTER-FINALS
It’s Ben Waine’s world at Port Vale, after he scored the only goal of the game for the second time in a week to keep the League One strugglers’ Emirates FA Cup dream alive.
Waine’s first-half goal earned a hard-fought 1-0 win for Port Vale over Premier League side Sunderland to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time since 1954.
After a mix-up at the back from Sunderland which saw Luke O’Nien almost lob his goalkeeper, who heroically headed the ball off the line, Port Vale scored from the ensuing corner as boyhood Newcastle United fan Waine grabbed the decisive goal.
Sunderland struggled to get back in the game as Port Vale played the troublesome conditions better, with the side at the bottom of League One holding on for a monumental upset against the side 57 places above them in the football pyramid.
Port Vale join Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Southampton in the hat for the last eight as they move one round away from a trip to Wembley Stadium.
Watch 'remarkable' scenes as Port Vale defeat Sunderland to reach FA Cup quarter-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports
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CAN PORT VALE CAUSE ANOTHER UPSET?
TNT Sports pundit Kevin Phillips thinks so...
"It's amazing what they've done. They thoroughly deserved it. Let's not beat around the bush. Sunderland were very, very disappointing today. What an opportunity.
"Credit to Port Vale, they played the conditions much better, they created opportunities and they've kept a team at bay that's flying in the Premier League.
They would fancy their chances, on this pitch, against anyone.
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'THINGS WENT OUR WAY TODAY'
Port Vale boss Jon Brady has been speaking to TNT Sports.
"I'm in a bit of a shock at that result today. Not that I didn't believe we could do it, but you need a lot of things going your way. Things went our way today and I'm just pleased for everyone at the football club.
"When we first came in, the team was getting booed off at times, and then we turned it around. Then the fans started getting behind us. You can see, 12,000 fans turned up today.
We're getting a connection with our fans through our performances.
Image credit: Getty Images
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WAINE: I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY!
New Zealander Ben Waine speaks to TNT Sports as he reflects on a historic day for Port Vale.
"That is unbelievable, look at this place. I've never seen anything like it!
"I don't know what to say really. We're on a bit of a roll at the moment, I know it wasn't pretty, probably not a very good game to watch, But we dug in do hard and I think we deserved it.
"We stuck to the game plan, it was as simple as that. I hope the family were back home watching that!
Look at the pitch, we love this pitch, we played to the conditions. We got a chance, we took it, and then we just dug in and defended for our lives.
Image credit: Getty Images
90'+6
Full time
90'+6
FULL-TIME! PORT VALE 1-0 SUNDERLAND
Port Vale are in the hat for the quarter-final of the FA Cup! Incredible!
The team bottom of League One have knocked out their Premier League opposition and it's Ben Waine's goal that does it for them again!
Watch Port Vale celebrate wildly as Waine scores 'brilliant header' against Sunderland
Video credit: TNT Sports
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90'+5
WHAT A FINISH!
Sunderland are pushing for that eqaliser but Port Vale can smell a second!
Hall looks the break through down the left, but the ball is just too far ahead of him.
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90'+4
SO WASTEFUL!
Sunderland get forward and the ball comes out to Enzo Le Fee, who blasts an effort well over the bar.
90'+3
90'+3
PORT VALE COME CLOSE TO A SECOND!
Gray pulls the trigger outside the box and his effort flashes past the far post.
90'
90'
SIX MINUTES ADDED
That hasn't gone down well with the home fans as we enter added time at the end of the second half.
89'
89'
OVER THE BAR
Xhaka delivers a deep cross, but it sails over the Port Vale crossbar and that's another few seconds gained for the home side.
88'
88'
STANDING OVATION FOR WAINE
The goalscorer comes off to a brilliant reception.
Will his goal be enough to send Port Vale through like it was against Bristol City in the fourth round?
Substitution in
G. WardPort Vale
Substitution out
B. WainePort Vale
86'
86'
TIME TICKING AWAY FROM SUNDERLAND
Their FA Cup season will come to an end, unless they can find an equaliser in the next few minutes and force extra time.
A reminder that Port Vale are bottom of League One...
83'
83'
HERE COMES XHAKA
The two-time FA Cup winner for Arsenal comes on for Sunderland for the final seven minutes, plus added time.
Substitution in
G. XhakaSunderland
Substitution out
C. RiggSunderland
82'
82'
A CHANCE FOR PORT VALE TO WIN IT!
George Hall races into the box from the left and gets a shot away, but a crucial touch from O'Nien turns the ball behind for a corner.
What a moment that would have been!
81'
81'
PORT VALE MAKE A CHANGE
Everton loanee Elijah Campbell comes off the bench, and he becomes the first player to play against the same club twice in one FA Cup campaign after featuring for The Toffees against Sunderland.
Substitution in
E. CampbellPort Vale
Substitution out
L. GordonPort Vale
78'
78'
THE POST SAVES PORT VALE!
Angulo gets on the end of a cross at the back post, and he should put it in the back of the net with the goal gaping, but he turns the ball onto the post.
Fortunately for him, it wouldn't have counted as the offside flag is quickly raised.
75'
75'
BOLD!
We're back and Gauci, who has brushed himself down after that knock, instantly makes the brave decision to come for a cross but it was far from convincing.
His defence get the danger clear, and Port Vale are now around 15 minutes away from a place in the FA Cup quarter-final.
72'
72'
THE KEEPER GOES DOWN
After making a couple of important saves, Gauci is hurt, holding his back, and needs treatment.
A chance for the managers to have a word with their players.
70'
70'
SUNDERLAND GETTING CLOSER!
The goalkeeper denies Angulo, before saving Ballard's header from the following corner.
Sunderland get ANOTHER corner but this time Port Vale deal with it.
69'
69'
OVER THE BAR
Sunderland have another corner, but this time Ballard heads it over the bar.
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Watch 'remarkable' scenes as Port Vale defeat Sunderland to reach FA Cup quarter-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports