Luton Town vs Man City - FA Cup fifth round: Live score, team news and updates as holders look to av

Publish date: 2024-07-21

Kieran Gill: ‘Surprised Guardiola has gone so strong, but it’s another trophy up for grabs’

Kieran Gill at Kenilworth Road:

Pep Guardiola has gone stronger than we thought. Erling Haaland. Kevin De Bruyne. Bernardo Silva. Jack Grealish. John Stones. So many world-beaters.

Season-defining series of games coming up for City – Luton (FA Cup), Manchester United (Premier League), Copenhagen (Champions League), Liverpool, Brighton, Arsenal, Aston Villa (all Premier League). Blimey.

Surprised Guardiola has gone so strong, but it’s another trophy up for grabs.

Haaland in the house

I must admit, I was anticipating that Erling Haaland would start tonight.

The FA Cup is sometimes a chance for some of the fringe players to get some game time, but Pep Guardiola is going for it tonight.

This is to be the Norweigan’s first start in the FA Cup this season, and he has only made four appearances in the competition since joining City.

He has scored 3 goals in those games though, and he will want some more tonight.

Erling Haland (9) of Manchester City arrives for the FA Cup match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road, Luton, England on 27 February 2024. Photo by David Horn.

Pep Guardiola: ‘Nothing has changed. It’s just the way he (Jack Grealish) has performed’

The big news tonight is that Jack Grealish starts for Manchester City.

Grealish could walk on water last season, however, this season he has been struggling to stay afloat.

The English midfielder hasn’t quite found the form that saw him play a key part in Manchester City’s treble last season, he has only five goal contributions from 26 appearances this season.

Pep Guardiola has often turned to summer signing Jeremy Doku to play off the left this season, while Matheus Nunes started there in their win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

However, the Catalan boss is keen for Grealish to return to form, maybe tonight could be the catalyst for that – he did net against them in the Premier League back in December.

Hopefully, he can make the impact he had last season. It depends on him. I try to be fair in my decision.

He played lots of minutes last season, and this season less in the beginning. He is the same player, he has the same manager, and the way we play has not changed.’

Nothing has changed. It’s just the way he has performed. That’s the difference. I said from day one: we need him, he has a special quality for our team. We need him. It depends on him. Hopefully he can do a good last three months.

Manchester City's Jack Grealish (left) and manager Pep Guardiola celebrate victory after the final whistle in the Premier League match at Kenilworth Road, Luton. Picture date: Sunday December 10, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Luton. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Man City starting XI – Grealish starts

There is no holding back from Pep Guardiola tonight, he is starting the big guns.

Jack Grealish has been given his chance, while Erling Haaland starts up top.

Look at that bench as well… so much talent.

Luton starting XI – Edwards makes three changes

I was wondering what type of side Rob Edwards was going to put out, but he has decided to go for it.

Tim Krul starts for the Hatters, but the Luton boss has only made two outfield changes.

Those are Jordan Clark and Reece Burke.

Luton’s road to the fifth round

Tonight, Luton are bidding to make their first FA Cup quarter-final in 30 years.

To put that in perspective, in that same year, 1994, Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president of South Africa. So, it’s been a very long time.

Well, they are just one game away from repeating that feat in 2024, so how did they get here?

In the third round, it took a replay for the Hatters to defeat League One side Bolton Wanderers, however, they did not ned that in the fourth round against Everton.

Cauley Woodrow netted a stoppage-time winner at Goodison Park to secure their second 2-1 win over the Toffees this season and set up the tie with Manchester City.

Will there be more late drama today?

I do love a bit of drama, so I hope so!

Newcastle starting XI – Willock starts

Newcastle are looking to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat against Arsenal in the league, and this is who Eddi Howe has picked to do that.

Joe Willock who scored the consolation goal against his former club comes into the line-up, while Jacob Murphy joins him.

That is still a rather strong team – you’d expect them to get the win.

Blackburn Rovers starting XI – two changes

Blackburn are going for it tonight.

John Eustace has made just the two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Norwich City.

Joint Fa Cup top scorer Sammie Szmodics starts for Rovers, he has scored five goals in the competition so far, including a hat-trick in the third round against Cambridge United.

Can he grab some more goals tonight?

Blackburn get no love from Newcastle

Blackburn and Newcastle, I remember when these two used to tussle in the Premier League… those were the days.

When Blackburn got through to the fifth round after dominating Wrexham 4-1, they would have been extremely happy, then they would have remembered they set up a tie with Newcastle.

Rovers’ record against Newcastle in the FA Cup is, let’s just say, unsatisfactory. Newcastle have eliminated them seven times out of their last nine FA Cup ties.

Five of those seven wins have come in their last five FA Cup meetings, including a 4-2 away win in a third-round replay in 2018-19.

I say it a lot in these blogs, but records are there to be broken. Whenever stats are mentioned before a game, I always feel they act as a jinx.

Blackburn will be hoping that they work in their favour tonight.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United - Ewood Park, Blackburn, Britain - January 15, 2019 Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff scores their first goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United - Ewood Park, Blackburn, Britain - January 15, 2019 Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff celebrates scoring their first goal with Jacob Murphy REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Leicester starting XI – Marseca makes NINE changes

Well, I said it was an audition for Leicester, but maybe Enzo Marseca does not see it the same way – he makes nine changes.

Only Jannik Vestergaard and Hamza Choudhury keep their place in the side after their 3-1 loss away at Leeds United last week.

Tom Cannon is trusted to lead the line while Marc Albrighton captains the side.

Do you think this team is strong enough, Leicester fans?

Bournemouth starting XI – Unal makes first start

Let’s have a look at how the Cherries line-up in the 19:30 GMT kick-off.

They have made six changes from the side that was narrowly beaten by manchester city in the league last weekend.

Enes Unal comes in to make his full debut for the club, while Mark Travers is another standout change, replacing Neto in goal.

While they have made a lot of changes, this still feels like a strong side.

Leicester’s Premier League audition at Bournemouth

Leicester have so much Premier League quality, and are on course for a return to the top-flight after just one season away, but are they ready?

I believe they are. They are six points clear at the top of the Championship and are a joy to watch under Enzo Maresca, and tonight is a chance to prove what they can do against Premier League opposition.

Bournemouth are no easy task, they caused Manchester City several problems in their narrow loss at the weekend and are a match for anybody on their day.

Tonight is unfamiliar territory for both sides, they have never faced each other before in the FA Cup, however, The Cherries have enjoyed coming up against the Foxes in recent times – they have won their past three against them in all competitions.

So, who will win the first-ever meeting between these two in the FA Cup?

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists (outside the EU), club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images (+15 in extra time). No use to emulate moving images. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications/services. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock (14367311k) Leicester City players on the pitch on arrival ahead of the FA Cup match between Bournemouth and Leicester City at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth Bournemouth v Leicester City, FA Cup., 5th Round - 27 Feb 2024

Holders City seeking to continue FA Cup dominance

We all know how dominant Manchester City have been since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016, and that doesn’t exclude the FA Cup.

The Citizens secured their second FA Cup trophy under Guardiola last season, beating rivals Manchester United in the final at Wembley to secure the trophy.

Their dominance in the competition over the last two years has been outstanding. They have only conceded once in their last nine FA Cup games, and that came in last season’s final when Bruno Fernandes netted from the spot for United.

That is a crazy stat, and they will want to keep that record going – another treble is still not out of the question this season.

So, if you’re Luton, you must think about trying to score first before winning even comes into your mind.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Players of Manchester City pose for a team photograph with the FA Cup Trophy after defeating Manchester United during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on June 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) LUTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road on December 10, 2023 in Luton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Coventry secure their spot in the quarter-finals

Let’s quickly rewind to last night.

Many football fans were rooting for Maidstone United to cause another cup upset, but Mark Robins’ team burst that bubble within five minutes.

Ellis Simms netted a first-half hat-trick for the West Midlands side on their way to a 5-0 thumping of the non-league side.

Coventry’s emphatic display secured them a spot in the last eight for the first time in 15 years. I’m sure their players will be keeping a keen eye on tonight’s results as they await to see who they will face in their quarter-final.

Sky Blues fans, who would you like to see go through tonight?

COVENTRY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Ellis Simms of Coventry City scores his third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Coventry City and Maidstone United at The Coventry Building Society Arena on February 26, 2024 in Coventry, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fifth Round - Coventry City v Maidstone United - Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, Britain - February 26, 2024 Coventry City's Ellis Simms celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates and completes his hat-trick REUTERS/Molly Darlington

The plan for the evening

What’s on the menu tonight? All I know for sure is that it is going to be tasty.

As I have already said, we have three FA Cup fifth-round ties in store for you including four Premier League sides.

Which one of these ties are you most excited about?

Welcome!

It’s another day of FA Cup action, and tonight it ramps up just that little bit more.

The fifth round started last night with a five-star display from Coventry City as they swept aside non-league side Maidstone United at the CBS Arena.

It didn’t matter to the Stones though, they celebrated at the final whistle like they had won the tie, and so they should. Their cup run was magical.

The gap in quality between the sides competing tonight is significantly narrower, as six sides vie to progress to the last eight and make another step closer to the final set to take place on Saturday 25 May.

The holders, Manchester City, are one of those six in action tonight as they travel to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton Town in an all-Premier League clash. I wouldn’t want to bet against them tonight.

Other Premier League sides in action are AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United. The Cherries host Championship leaders Leicester City while the Magpies visit Lancashire to take on Blackburn Rovers.

You won’t want to miss a minute tonight, so make sure you tune in with us as we give you all the updates from tonight’s games.

I’m looking forward to seeing Leicester City test themselves against a Premier League side again, they will be doing it a lot next season if they continue on their current path.

Let’s get this show on the road then, eh?

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists (outside the EU), club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images (+15 in extra time). No use to emulate moving images. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications/services. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Nigel Keene/ProSports/Shutterstock (14367265a) General view inside Kenilworth Road during the FA Cup match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road, Luton Luton Town v Manchester City, FA Cup., 5th Round - 27 Feb 2024 Key Updates

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