Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton: Saints/Spurs draw Norwich at home in FA Cup Fifth-Round

By Marc Walker

MALDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: The FA Trophy is seen prior to the FA Cup Second Round match between Maldon and Tiptree FC abd Newport County AFC at The Wallace Binder Ground on November 29, 2019 in Maldon, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
MALDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: The FA Trophy is seen prior to the FA Cup Second Round match between Maldon and Tiptree FC abd Newport County AFC at The Wallace Binder Ground on November 29, 2019 in Maldon, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Southampton have been drawn to play Norwich City in the FA Cup Fifth-Round if they win their Fourth-Round replay with Spurs.

The tie is due to take place during the week commencing the 2nd March, which could be situated between Saints’ Premier League meetings with West Ham and Newcastle.

Saints drew 1-1 with Spurs on Saturday after Son Heung-Min’s opening goal was cancelled out by Sofiane Boufal’s equaliser three minutes from time.

Ralph Hasenhuttl and Jose Mourinho put out strong teams at the weekend and this produced an entertaining match – something that is needed with the competition in its current state.

Both sides will play a replay in North London on Wednesday 5th February, with Saints being given a big ticket allocation of 5,690 for the game – although the £25 prices for all adult fans has drawn criticism from both sets of fans considering that just £10 was charged at St Mary’s.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton (obscured) react during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St. Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton (obscured) react during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St. Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Neither Saints or Spurs will have wanted a replay and would have preferred to win outright considering the schedule issues that now arise.

More from Saints Marching

Premier League clubs have a ‘winter break’ soon which sees four league fixtures over the weekend of the 8th-9th February and then six over the weekend of the 14th-17th, which should mean a pause in the season for all 20 teams.

Saints will not be affected so badly by this as some teams – although some players have reportedly had to cancel flights away.

Spurs play a tough fixture against Manchester City on the first weekend of the winter break and then have to face Saints in the replay the following Wednesday, so it will be interesting to see Jose Mourinho’s approach to the game in terms of team selection.

Given that getting back towards the Premier League’s top four would be a priority for Spurs, Saints could see this go in their favour and help them go on a real run in the cup.

Some debate has been seen about whether FA Cup replays should be scrapped, although this would benefit the Premier League mainly and reduce financial income for smaller sides from the lower leagues.

Besides, no replays are now played in the competition beyond the Fourth-Round stage.

dark. Next. Saints captain Hojbjerg linked with big move to Everton

Home/Southampton FC News