Following a hardfought victory against Grimsby Town on a pitch reminiscent of the Somme, Wolves have a home tie against Liverpool to look forward to in the stage where 16 becomes 8.
Despite a disastrous season for Wolves, the quiet murmurs of a cup run have well and truly begun after reaching a third successive FA Cup fifth round.
This is the first time such an achievement has happened since 1978/1979 – 1980/1981 and highlights a positive period in the cup for the Old Gold amidst underwhelming domestic campaigns.
Another matchup with Liverpool awaits, which adds to the previous meetings in 2017, 2019 and 2023 but how have we fared in the fifth round in seasons gone by?
2024/2025 – Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (5-4 on penalties)
Wolves had begun their escape of the relegation places in the league and, following a 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium just a week prior, Wolves travelled to the South coast once again for a cup tie.
A sluggish first half performance meant Wolves went into the break a goal down and lucky to be so after a lengthy VAR check ruled out a second for Bournemouth.
At the hour mark, Matheus Cunha would score one of the goals of his life as he fired a rocket past Kepa Arrizabalaga from 30 yards out.
Wolves would live life on the edge as Johnstone kept the side in it late on and again through extra time with the help of a Toti Gomes goalline clearance.
Cunha went from hero to zero in the extra period after a ridiculous red card and Wolves subsequently lost the shootout despite the hosts missing first, Doherty and Boubacar Traore both failed to hit the target.
You would like to think Matheus Cunha would have converted his penalty too which only added to the frustration towards the Brazilian.
2023/2024 – Wolves 1-0 Brighton
On the back of a historic fourth round win at the Hawthorns, this run felt a little different to those that had come before.
Despite the attacking injury crisis that saw Cunha sidelined and Neto unfit to start, it took just two minutes for Wolves to break the deadlock thanks to a Mario Lemina goal.
The hosts battled and showed real defensive determination while still showing a threat on the counter, largely helped by the introduction of Pedro Neto after an hour.
A 1-0 lead was never safe and a nervousness spread around Molineux as the clock ticked closer to 90.
A corner for Brighton in the final minutes was an invitation for the goalkeeper to join the attack and to his surprise, Jason Steele was presented a chance to prod home at the back post but it was a chance he failed to take.
Wolves progressed to a quarter final tie against Coventry, I don’t think anyone wants to recall what happened on that day but our F.A Cup run ended abruptly.
2020/2021 – Wolves 0-2 Southampton
Our journey to the fifth round during the Covid season saw two narrow 1-0 wins which both featured goals of serious quality. The first was courtesy of Adama as he lashed one into the near top corner in a home tie against Crystal Palace before a matchup with Chorley in round four.
In 2025 he placed third in the Ballon D’or rankings, in 2021 he was playing away against Chorley Town, Vitinha was all that separated the two sides as Nuno’s side were flat and sluggish at Victory Park.
Nevertheless, Wolves welcomed the Saints who had troubles all of their own having lost all of their previous five league matches to that point.
A goalless first half was quickly changed within five minutes of the second period, Danny Ings met John Ruddy one-on-one, his initial effort was well saved but a large slice of fortune meant it would bobble back off Ings and roll into the net.
The Wanderers would have chances to equalise, Fabio Silva fired over from close range before Adama had an effort saved at the back post.
Southampton sealed the win in the final minute of the 90, a poor back-pass from Dendoncker wasn’t cleared by Ruddy, Stuart Armstrong capitalised on the mistake to put the tie to bed.
2018/2019 – Bristol City 0-1 Wolves
Wolves were flying in the Premier League following promotion eight months prior and had also managed to put together a cup run after beating Liverpool and Shrewsbury on their way to Ashton Gate.
At the 20 minute mark, a classic Conor Coady switch out to Doherty caught the hosts out, the Irishman darted into the box before pulling back to Cavaleiro who slotted home.
Chances came and went for Wolves to extend their lead, Doherty hit the frame of the goal after a sequence of beautiful quick passing involving himself, Jimenez and Dendoncker.
The frame was hit again following a Joao Moutinho freekick, Gibbs-White and Dendoncker also had big chances saved as the game remained alive for Bristol City.
A late flurry of pressure meant Wolves had to dig in, set pieces caused Nuno’s side plenty of issues.
The last chance of the game was similar to the earlier mentioned Brighton match, the home side sent the goalkeeper up who had a volley saved by his opposite number in the final minute.
Wolves would go on to beat Manchester United in the quarter finals in one of the greatest days in the recent history of the club, the trip to Wembley was not such a euphoric occasion but a 7th placed finish and a trip to Wembley summed up how brilliant Wolves were.
2016/2017 – Wolves 0-2 Chelsea
Under Paul Lambert, Wolves struggled to put together any consistent form in the Championship, the FA Cup provided a positive distraction however.
A Matt Doherty freekick and a fantastic Helder Costa goal away at Premier League Stoke granted Wolves a fourth round tie at Anfield.
Fans of the Old Gold couldn’t have asked for a better day in Merseyside after Richard Stearman headed home after a minute and Andreas Weimann doubled the lead late in the first half.
Helder Costa was simply unplayable that day, assisting both goals and nearly scoring a solo goal for the ages, Wolves survived late pressure following Origi’s 86th minute goal to hold on.
A fifth round home tie against a world class Chelsea outfit followed with the likes of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard, Willian and Cesc Fabregas all started for Antonio Conte’s title-winning side.
It was very nearly a shock start as George Saville smashed an effort against the post from the centre of the box.
Wolves stood firm for over an hour before the deadlock was finally broken by a Pedro header, Diego Costa sealed it with a minute to go.
It wouldn’t be the last time the Spaniard would wheel off in celebration in front of a Molineux crowd, despite there being six years between his 2017 FA Cup goal and his only goal in a Wolves shirt against Brentford in 2023.
2007/2008 – Cardiff 2-0 Wolves
A third round victory over Cambridge United was backed up by a fourth round thumping of Watford at Vicarage Road. Goals from Jay Bothroyd, Stephen Elliott and an Andy Keogh brace meant Wolves cruised into the fifth round draw and would face fellow Championship side, Cardiff City.
Over the Welsh border, the match started as it meant to go on with Whittingham scoring for the home side after 90 seconds following a smart flick from Hasselbaink. A 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey played alongside a 35-year-old Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink which is quite crazy to think about as the two were both involved in the opener.
Hasselbaink would turn from provider to scorer just ten minutes later, a special strike from the legendary goalscorer would nestle in the top corner to double the lead.
Wolves offered precious little in the match with Mick McCarthey describing it as “an awful performance” and that “any stick the fans are giving out to us is thoroughly deserved today.”
Wolves fans would have to wait another nine years to see the team return to a fifth round tie.
2002/2003 – Wolves 3-1 Rochdale
In a season which was largely remembered for a superb 3-0 win against Sheffield United in the play-off final, Wolves also reached the FA Cup quarter final stage.
After beating both Newcastle United and Leicester City at Molineux, Third Division side Rochdale made it a trio of home ties as Wolves hoped to squash any chance of an upset.
Ndah opened the scoring following a corner to net his fourth cup goal of the season in three FA Cup matches.
A speculative long-range strike from the visitors was deflected past Matt Murray to pull Rochdale level, Gavin Melaugh got the final touch.
Relief for the home fans arrived with ten minutes to go, Kenny Miller struck his third in the competition despite a hint of offside following a saved effort from Lee Naylor. Adam Proudlock put the game to bed when he arrived at the back post to tap home in added time.
Wolves would draw Southampton at St.Mary’s in the quarter finals, which is where the cup run came to an end.
The home side, like they did in 2021, ran out 2-0 winners against Wolves on their way to the final, which they lost to rivals Portsmouth by a goal to nil.
2025/2026 – Wolves ?-? Liverpool
Two quarter finals and a semi final since our return to the Premier League in 2018 is definitely good going and this match gives an opportunity to add to it.
An awful season needs a sprinkle of something magic and nothing provides magic quite like the FA Cup so here’s to hoping Wolves can build on their recent momentum and provide another win and put Wembley within touching distance.
