Leeds beat Birmingham on penalties in Cup, Wolves survive Grimsby mud bath
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Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Birmingham City v Leeds United - St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - February 15, 2026 Leeds United's Lucas Perri saves a penalty during the penalty shootout Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
REUTERS
LONDON, Feb 15 - Leeds United required penalties and Wolverhampton Wanderers endured a mud bath but both reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in a good day for top-flight sides on Sunday.
Second-tier Birmingham City equalised late on at home to Leeds with a Patrick Roberts screamer after Lukas Nmecha had put the visitors ahead shortly after the interval.
Leeds converted all their penalties in the shoot-out while Birmingham's Tommy Doyle had his effort saved by Lucas Perri before Roberts blazed over the bar.
Wolves look condemned to second-tier football next season but they maintained their interest in the Cup with a 1-0 win at in-form fourth-tier Grimsby Town on a quagmire of a pitch resembling those of yesteryear.
With rain falling on an already saturated pitch, the surface churned up, leaving little chance of flowing football. Santiago Bueno scored the only goal on the hour, diverting a Joao Gomes cross past goalkeeper Jackson Smith.
Grimsby, who knocked Manchester United out of the League Cup this season, rarely offered a goal threat and their only effort on target was Andy Cook's late header.
A much-changed Fulham came from a goal down to win 2-1 at second-tier Stoke City with goals by Kevin and Harrison Reed ensuring they did not lose a fourth successive match.
Sunderland also reached the fifth round with a 1-0 win at Championship strugglers Oxford United -- Habib Diarra's first-half penalty proving enough for Regis Le Bris' side.
Arsenal host Wigan Athletic in the late match. REUTERS
