Port Vale’s Historic Victory
Port Vale has struggled in League One after their promotion, leading to a managerial change in January. However, on March 8, 2026, they achieved a remarkable feat by defeating Premier League side Sunderland 1-0 in the FA Cup fifth round.
The match, held in Burslem, England, saw Ben Waine score the only goal, propelling Port Vale into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years. This victory is particularly significant as it marks Port Vale’s first win over top-flight opposition since they defeated Everton 30 years ago.
In front of a crowd of 10,685, Port Vale’s goalkeeper Joe Gauci played a crucial role in securing the clean sheet against a Sunderland team that boasts a squad valued at approximately 150 million pounds. Sunderland’s captain, Luke O’Nien, and goalkeeper Melker Ellborg were unable to prevent the defeat.
After the match, Ben Waine expressed his joy, stating, “I was in dreamland.” Manager Jon Brady also reflected on the moment, saying, “It hasn’t really sunk in at the moment.” This victory comes just five days after Waine scored the fourth-round winner against Bristol City.
Sunderland’s manager, Regis Le Bris, acknowledged Port Vale’s performance, saying, “Full credit to our opponent first of all. They played with hunger, patience and intensity.” He added, “It is what it is. You have to accept it,” indicating the disappointment of his side’s exit from the tournament.
Despite this historic win, Port Vale remains at the bottom of League One, currently 11 points adrift of safety. The club’s FA Cup triumph is a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.
As observers look ahead, the focus will be on how Port Vale can leverage this momentum in their league campaign while Sunderland will need to regroup after this setback.