No Alarms, and No Surprises in FA Cup Fourth Round
In partnership with
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.
This week: FA Cup fourth round results are in, Liverpool and West Ham might have finally turned a corner, and Sam Coffey lands in Manchester. Plus, don’t miss Baller FC’s link-up with London City Lionesses for next Sunday’s City clash. Enjoy!
– Jo, founder of Twentytwo
⚽ ADOBE FA CUP
Fourth Round Sticks To The Script
Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
No big surprises in the FA Cup this weekend. The main talking points were WSL2 leaders Charlton taking the biggest win of the fourth round (10-0 against Swindon), Liverpool and West Ham getting much needed wins for a confidence boost they can take into their WSL relegation battle and Chatham Town progressing to the fifth round for the first time in their history.
West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Everton (Highlights)
Newcastle United 0-3 West Ham (Highlights)
Sunderland 0-1 London City Lionesses (Highlights)
Chelsea 5-0 Crystal Palace (Highlights)
Tottenham 3-0 Leicester City (Highlights)
Bournemouth 0-6 Manchester City
Brighton 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Chatham Town 3-0 York City
Ipswich Town 1-2 Sheffield United
London Bees 0-6 Liverpool
Manchester United 5-0 Burnley (Highlights)
Oxford United 3-1 Middlesbrough
Southampton 1-2 Bristol City
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa (Highlights)
Charlton Athletic 10-0 Swindon Town
Hull City 2-6 Birmingham City
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round Draw, 19:00, Monday 19 January - Watch live on Youtube
🚨ICYMI
Top Headlines
🩼 Karen Holmgaard has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Everton’s FA Cup win over West Bromwich Albion.
🟥 Liverpool goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe has been serving a six‑match FA ban after admitting to using racist language towards a team‑mate during pre-season.
🦁 Former Lioness Danielle Carter has retired at 32, after 11 years and multiple trophies with Arsenal plus six goals in four England caps, including two senior hat‑tricks. Read more
⚖️ PSG’s women’s team have been hit with a nine‑point deduction in France for fielding an ineligible player, dropping them from second to fifth in a season already defined by early Champions League exit and a sense of “clear injustice”. Read more
💸 Arsenal have overtaken Chelsea at the top of Deloitte’s Women’s Football Money League, generating £22.2m in 2024‑25 with record matchday revenue at the Emirates as WSL clubs dominate the top‑15 spots. Read more
⌛Brighton has confirmed that head coach Dario Vidošić is taking a leave of absence due to private family reasons, with assistant Chris Roberts stepping in as interim head coach for upcoming fixtures.
🇺🇸The NWSL schedule has been announced with the regular season kicking off on Friday 13 March. Get the whole schedule here
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
→ Pro Licence admission barriers allow women’s coaching opportunities to go ‘down the drain’ – The Guardian
🎟️ FAN OPS
New Competition alert:
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup: London, 28 Jan - 1 Feb 2026
Arsenal, ASFAR, Corinthians and Gotham FC confirmed as the semi-finalists.
Tickets are on sale now
✍️ INSIDE TRACK
Transfer Round-up
This week saw a couple of significant player moves from the NWSL. US midfielder, Sam Coffey, arrives at Manchester City as an elite No6/8, praised for her press resistance and ability to dictate tempo, and will wear the No17 shirt. City see her as one of the best in the world in her position – a physical, line‑breaking playmaker who should give them far more control against top‑four rivals.
Liverpool is having a very smart window: Denise O’Sullivan joined permanently from North Carolina Courage, where she became a club legend and all‑time appearance leader, bringing leadership, and composure in possession to the heart of their midfield. They’ve also added Scotland striker Martha Thomas on loan to boost their goalscoring options. Both scored on their debuts at the weekend.
Elsewhere…
Manchester United: Sweden forward Ellen Wangerheim arrives from Hammarby to add pace and goals, while defender Lucy Newell is recalled from her loan to deepen the squad.
West Ham: Amber Tysiak departs as England U20 defender Ria Bose comes in, signalling a back‑line refresh.
Leicester: Has brought in experienced forward Rachel Williams as midfielder Kajsa Rogngard Pelgander departs on loan to HB Køge.
Everton’s Kelly Gago has requested a move back to France; and Newcastle United add Australian full‑back Kaitlyn Torpey as they continue their climb up the pyramid.
OL Lyonnes: USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps has moved from OL Lyonnes to headline NWSL expansion side Denver Summit
RUMOUR HAS IT:
Arsenal are in pole position to sign Georgia Stanway on a free this summer, with talks over a pre‑contract already under way and Bayern confirming she’ll leave at season’s end.
Alisha Lehmann is close to making a move from FC Como to Leicester City.
👟 KIT DROP
PUMA has dropped a new Whiteout Pack, dressing the FUTURE 9, ULTRA 6 and KING 20 in all‑white uppers with shimmering gold detailing and soleplates. It’s clean, luxe and if you’re in the market for an impractically white boot with a touch of drama, this is it.
🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA
Upcoming Events
Baller FC x London City Lionesses: Baller Block
25 January, 11:55am KO, Hayes Ln, Bromley, UK
Baller FC are teaming up with London City Lionesses to host a dedicated Baller Block for the Man City game – a loud, friendly section designed for new and existing women’s football fans to experience the match together.
There’s a fan walk from Bromley South at 10:50am led by a live band, in‑stand games like “chip it in the bin”, temporary tatts, plus a post‑match hang at Broomfields so the vibes carry on long after full-time.
More info here.
The Ladies Football Club
28-February-28 March, The Crucible, Sheffield
With World War 1 forcing men onto the front line to fight, the women of Sheffield take their place in the factories, constructing the bombs and the bullets. Then they start kicking a football around on their lunch breaks.
Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up
📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST
What We’re Watching
Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)
Adobe Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
Monday 19 January
19:00 - Watch live on Youtube
Also shown on: TNT Sports Football and Channel 4 Sport YouTube
Women's League Cup Semi-Final
Wednesday 21 January
Arsenal vs Manchester United (19:00, BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports+, WSL Youtube)
Manchester City vs Chelsea (19:00, BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports Mix, WSL Youtube)
Women's Super Leauge
Friday 23 January
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion (19:00, Sky Sports)
Saturday 24th January
Chelsea vs Arsenal (12:30, BBC One, BBC iPlayer)
Sunday 25 January
Aston Villa vs Manchester United (11:55, Sky Sports)
Leicester City vs West Ham United (11:55, Sky Sports, WSL YouTube)
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur (11:55, Sky Sports, WSL YouTube)
London City Lionesses vs Manchester City (11:55, Sky Sports)
And in WSL2: A leaders Charlton Athletic take on fourth place Newcastle United (14:00, WSL2 YouTube)
👀 FAVE FINDS
Only in the Land
Arsenal have released a four-part documentary series following their road to victory in the 2024/25 Champions League. From Jonas Eidevall's departure and Slegers’ take over to Chloe Kelly’s loan and semi-final win over Lyon, it’s a must watch.
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See you next week!
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