After another weekend of FA Cup action, we run through the standout performers across the fourth round, with Bournemouth the dominant side after their thrashing of Swansea. There are also places for players from Maidstone United, Manchester United, Wolves, Newcastle, Blackburn and Brighton.
Lucas (Maidstone United) - 9.12
The shock of the FA Cup fourth round came at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon, when sixth-tier side Maidstone United continued their remarkable run by knocking out high-flying Championship outfit Ipswich Town. Scooping the player of the match award on the day was the visitors’ goalkeeper Lucas, who made a huge 12 saves to keep the Tractor Boys at bay and earn a WhoScored rating of 9.12. Sensationally, Ipswich fired off a total of 38 shots, with just one finding the net.
Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) - 7.64
Despite a scare shortly after half time, Manchester United progressed past League Two outfit Newport County on Sunday evening, and Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot’s display sees him earn a spot in the team of the round. Dalot helped United race into an early two-goal lead, when he provided the assist for Kobbie Mainoo to net on 13 minutes, while he also won three aerial duels and completed a successful dribble to return a WhoScored rating of 7.64.
Taking home the player of the match award at the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon was Wolves defender Max Kilman, who helped to ensure a clean sheet for the visitors in the Black Country Derby as he made four interceptions, nine clearances and won three aerial duels to land a WhoScored rating of 8.32.
Joining Kilman at the heart of defence is Wolves teammate Toti. Like Kilman, Toti excelled against West Brom, making six interceptions, three clearances, three successful dribbles and winning three aerial duels to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.99.
Completing the defensive line is Newcastle’s Dan Burn, who won the player of the match award for his performance against Fulham on Saturday evening. In a strong all-round display, Burn made nine clearances, three interceptions and completed all four tackles he attempted, while he also won four aerial duels and found the net shortly on the hour mark to double the visitors’ lead.
David Brooks (Bournemouth) - 9.05
The dominant performance of the fourth round came at the Vitality Stadium, where Bournemouth put five past a struggling Swansea side, and crucial to the Cherries’ success was Welsh winger David Brooks, who had a direct hand in three of the hosts’ five goals. Brooks provided the assist for Lloyd Kelly to open the scoring after just seven minutes, before setting up Alex Scott only three minutes later; the 26-year-old then went on to find the net himself 10 minutes before the interval in a display that earned him a WhoScored rating of 9.05.
Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn) - 9.06
Blackburn attacker Sammie Szmodics continued his electric form in front of goal with a brace against League Two side Wrexham on Monday evening to bring his tally for the season to 21 in all competitions. Szmodics also provided two key passes and completed one successful dribble to return a WhoScored rating of 9.06.
Alex Scott (Bournemouth) - 8.93
The second of three Bournemouth players to make the XI is 20-year-old attacking midfielder Alex Scott, who continues to thrive on his return to full fitness for the Cherries. In the space of just four minutes, Scott doubled the home side’s lead against Swansea, before turning provider for Luis Sinisterra to add their third, while he also made three tackles and four key passes to register a WhoScored rating of 8.93.
With a WhoScored rating of 9.38, Brighton forward Joao Pedro is the FA Cup player of the fourth round. The Brazilian made it five goals in two games in the competition with a hat-trick against Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon, to bring his tally for the season to 18 goals.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) - 8.77
The third and final Bournemouth representative in XI is striker Dominic Solanke, who added to his tally for the season in the victory over Swansea on Thursday evening. Solanke found the net with one of three attempts on goal, while he also provided the assist for David Brooks’ strike as he posted a WhoScored rating of 8.77.
Sam Gallagher (Blackburn) - 8.72
Rounding off the team of the round is Blackburn striker Sam Gallagher, who makes the XI after his display against Wrexham on Monday evening. The 28-year-old had a hand in three of Rovers’ four goals on the night, scoring one and assisting two, including Sammie Szmodic’s equaliser on 32 minutes. Gallagher made a total of three key passes and one successful dribble, while he also won two aerial duels, on his way to a WhoScored rating of 8.72.
