Port Vale Holds Surprise Lead Against Sunderland at 9:30 a.m. ET Kickoff
9: 30 a. m. ET — Port Vale have taken a surprise lead against sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round, with the tie under way after a 1. 30 p. m. (GMT) kickoff. The timing matters because confirmed team news and midweek results left both managers reshuffling their XIs before kick-off.
Port Vale made three changes from the side that beat Bristol City 1-0 after 120 minutes in midweek, while Regis Le Bris made two changes to the Sunderland side that beat Leeds 1-0 on Tuesday. Port Vale previously beat Maldon & Tiptree 5-1 in the first round in November; that 5-1 score and the midweek 1-0 win are the clearest numerical markers of the home side’s cup run so far.
Port Vale’s first-half pressure and Gauci’s key saves
Port Vale tested Sunderland early and repeatedly, registering six shots to Sunderland’s five in the opening 45 minutes with one on target apiece. A fizzing low cross at 45 minutes ran across the six-yard box and neither side could convert. Gauci was on hand to make a save from Angulo’s left-footed effort at 42 minutes, and later dealt with a tame header from Ballard in added time.
There were three added minutes at the end of the first half, and Port Vale’s midfield and set-piece work consistently unsettled the visitors. On multiple counter attacks Ballard blocked from Archer and helped deny clear chances, and the home fans responded with a standing ovation as the teams went in at the break.
Sunderland lineup change: Regis Le Bris brings in Rigg and Talbi
Regis Le Bris made two changes to the Sunderland XI that beat Leeds 1-0 on Tuesday, bringing in Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi for Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki. The named Sunderland lineup for the match was Ellborg, O’Nien, Ballard, Alderete, Geertruida, Rigg, Le Fee, Diarra, Talbi, Angulo and Mayenda, with a bench that included Moore, J. Jones, Xhaka and others.
sunderland have at times struggled to assert control in midfield and have been provoked at set-pieces, a pattern that contributed to Port Vale’s ability to take the initiative in the first half. Regis Le Bris was described as having work to do in his half-time team talk after a performance that fell short of expectations.
Jon Brady’s adjustments and the home crowd’s influence
Jon Brady’s choices have so far paid off: the home team pressed effectively, created several half-chances and left supporters pleased at the break. Specific plays included Diarra’s surging run and low cross shortly before half-time that forced a collective intake of breath among the crowd, and a sequence from a throw-in that produced a half-chance for Brown from Archer’s low delivery.
Port Vale’s changes — Dajaune Brown, Funso Ojo and Kyle John in for Magloire, Shipley and Sherif — helped maintain energy on the flanks and in transitions. The coaching decisions and the fans’ reaction combined to give the hosts momentum heading into the second half.
The second half is scheduled to restart after the brief halftime interval; with three minutes of added time in the first half, play is expected to resume at about 10: 18 a. m. ET. If Sunderland regain midfield control quickly, they are likely to press for an equalizer before full-time.
