Everton vs Luton Town: Latest FA Cup fourth-round updates from ...

It won’t please Evertonians to learn that it was old boy Barkley who gave Calvert-Lewin a hefty nudge from the corner that led to the own goal. VAR obviously didn’t think it was enough to disallow the goal though and the Hatters start the second half 1-0 up.

We are back under way at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile at the King Power Stadium Leicester have scored the opening goal of the game through Jamie Vardy.

Not so long ago, the Brighton fans massed behind Bart Verbruggen’s goal were bouncing with their team leading 2-0. But it’s all square at the break as efforts from Gus Hamer and Will Osula cancel-out Facundo Buonanotte and Joao Pedro’s earlier strikes.

James Shield live from Bramall Lane:

Another VAR delay at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United’s Will Osula heads home to level. Fortunately for manager Chris Wilder’s temper, this one is also given. The Blades are level.

No-one can accuse Tony Mowbray of not telling it like it is. His pre-match rallying cry was: ‘We’re here to win’. He admits Birmingham are not likely to lift the FA Cup this season, so the intention was always to go gung-ho here. True to his word, Mowbray has taken the game to Leicester - just as he did in October when was Sunderland manager. 

On that occasion, Mowbray was on the wrong end of a 1-0 result, but this could be different. Birmingham have created a string of openings and would be ahead but for Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk who pulled off five saves in a 10-minute spell. Mowbray is unbeaten as Birmingham manager since taking over from Wayne Rooney, and clearly wants that momentum to continue.

Everton 0 Luton 1

Leeds 1 Plymouth 0

Leicester 0 Birmingham 0

Sheffield United 1 Brighton 2 latest

Simon Hooper blows the whistle and Luton take a 1-0 lead into the break at Goodison Park. The whistle was met with boos from some of the home fans, who were distinctly unimpressed with the first-half showing from their side.

The fourth official indicates there will be eight minutes of added time here at Bramall Lane. Most of those can probably be attributed to that VAR delay before Hamer’s goal was awarded.

There are four minutes of added time at the end of the first half at Goodison Park. The home fans are very unhappy with their side at the moment, as they have been for much of the first half.

Make that five saves in a 10 minute spell. Stolarczyk is playing out of his skin here as he keeps out Stansfield again before denying Birmingham attacker Siriki Dembele.  Birmingham are on top, but being frustrated by the Leicester goalkeeper.

Sheffield United have a goal back against Brighton thanks to Gus Hamer. 

James Shield live from Bramall Lane:

Sheffield United pull one back as Gustavo Hamer pounces on the rebound as Bart Verbrggen can only parry Will Osula’s cross. The goal is awarded following a VAR delay which threatened to take longer than the match itself.

VAR has confirmed the goal and Luton have the lead five minutes before half-time. The goal has been awarded as an own goal for Mykolenko.

Richard Tanner live from Goodison Park:

After some confusion, it looks like it was an own goal with Mykolenko diverting the corner into his own net, even though Burke took the credit and ran away in celebration. The VAR check was for a possible push on Calvert-Lewin.

Luton have a corner which Doughty will take. He whips in an inswinger and it ends up in the back of the net. It might well by boyhood Evertonian Barkley who has scored. VAR is checking the goal...

Birmingham should be ahead as the game passes the half hour mark. Tony Mowbray’s side created two openings in the space of a minute. Jordan James found himself with a chance but Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk got down well to save one-handed to his left.   Stolarczyk was called on again moments later to keep out Keshi Anderson. 

The 23-year-old Pole may be second choice at the King Power Stadium, but he is impressing here and made a third save in quick succession to keep out Birmingham’s on-loan Fulham striker, Jay Stansfield, who put the rebound over the crossbar.

McNeil has a header inside the Luton box but it is straight at Krul in the Luton goal.

Everton are getting into some good areas but their final ball is constantly letting them down. Beto and then Dwight McNeil have both been guilty of misplaced passes in the last few minutes when they should have found a team-mate in a dangerous position.

Leeds have taken the lead at home against Plymouth thanks to Jaidon Antony’s goal.

Beto tries to find McNeil inside the Luton box but the move breaks down.

Vardy burst clear for Leicester with an attack that was reminiscent of his hey day. The legendary striker turned 37 earlier this month, but still has the ability to scare defences. On this occasion, Birmingham goalkeeper John Ruddy was able to race out and beat Vardy to the ball, but he hastily cleared for a throw-in.

Bit flat at Goodison although Elijah Adeayor should have given Luton the lead after 23 minutes He was unmarked but sent a header just wide from Carlton Morris’ cross.

Home fans are getting a bit restless, no doubt remembering that the Hatters have already won at Goodison this season, 2-1 back on September 30.

Pedro scores from the spot and Brighton are now 2-0 ahead.

James Shield live from Bramall Lane:

Goal. Joao Pedro extends Brighton’s advantage from the sport after being brought down by Jayden Bogle. Ivo Grbic has now conceded twice in his first 29 minutes as Sheffield United goalkeeper.

Penalty to Brighton. Jayden brings down Joao Pedro.

Luton have a corner and Doughty will take an inswinger. It goes to the far post but eventually Everton manage to clear their lines.

Luton come close to taking the lead. Morris plays a great ball towards Adebayo but his header misses the target. That was a good chance for the visitors.

Sheffield United go oh-so-close to equalising as first Will Osula and then Gustavo Hamer see shots blocked. Brighton’s defending there might have been desperate. But it was mighty effective too.

Everton have a free-kick inside the Luton half but it is wasted by Garner as he hits the first man. How many times does that happen in football that the set-piece taker does not beat the first defender?

Onana has been down receiving treatment but he is back on his feet but he does not look entirely comfortable.

Brighton have taken the lead against Sheffield United thanks to Facundo Buonanotte’s goal.

James Shield live from Bramall Lane:

What a goal. Brighton have spent most of the game so far on the back foot. But Facundo Buonanotte fires them in front with a spectacular long-range finish. 

Birmingham fans are out in force at the King Power Stadium, 5,000 of them here, compared to 7,000 for the replay with Hull City at St Andrew’s 10 days ago. To be fair, that game was played in sub-zero temperatures, today is a much milder experience. Birmingham manager Tony Mowbray has named a strong side for this tie - with Leicester coach Enzo Maresca making 10 changes, including a debut for development squad midfielder Brandon Cover - but it is Jamie Vardy’s first start since recovering from a knee injury.

Championship leaders Leicester have a game with Swansea on Tuesday, hence Maresca’s team selection. Birmingham do not play for a week, so Mowbray says he will ‘go for it’.

Typically, after dominating the opening exchanges, United thought they had conceded when Evan Ferguson headed home from close range. But an assistant referee’s flag cuts short the Brighton celebrations. Cue an almost audible sigh of relief from the home side’s bench.

Everton’s first chance of the game. Beto takes on a shot but his strike goes just wide of the post.

Richard Tanner live from Goodison Park:

Everton’s first goal attempt in the 10th minute - Calvert-Lewin sets up strike partner Beto but he fired just wide from the edge of the area. The Portuguese should at least have forced Tim Krul into a save.

Too many teams might not care about the FA Cup but Sheffield United clearly do. The Blades have started faster than Usain Bolt here at Bramall Lane, with Ben Brereton Diaz and Gustavo Hamer both going close.

After a minute’s applause to mark the passing of John Hurst, a key member of Everton’s 1970 Championship-winning team, Luton have made a bright start.

Alfie Doughty sent a good chance over the bar in the first minute while former Evertonian Ross Barkley - roundly booed by the home fans - fired a long ranger high and wide into the Gwladys Street End.

You can sense a little frustration around Goodison Park as the home side have not really got going whereas Luton have made a positive start.

Former Everton man Barkley has his first effort of the afternoon but he does not trouble Virginia’s goal. Some jeers around Goodison Park for the boyhood Evertonian and it is safe to say he has not received a welcoming reception from the home fans.

Luton make their first foray forward through former Everton winger Towsend down the wing. He whips the ball in and Everton do not deal well with it. It falls to Doughty but he cannot take advantage of the opportunity.

We are under way at Goodison Park and in the three other 3pm kick-offs.

Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Goodison Park.

Fresh off the plane from Spain, United have handed a debut to former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Ivo Grbic against Brighton and Hove Albion this afternoon. With the Croatian parachuted straight into Chris Wilder’s starting eleven, Wes Foderingham is left kicking his heels on the bench.

Everton: Virginia, Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Onana, Garner, Harrison, McNeil, Beto, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Pickford, Lonergan, Keane, Godfrey, Hunt, Young, Danjuma, Dobbin, Chermiti.

Luton: Krul, Burke, Bell, Mengi, Ogbene, Doughty, Barkley, Lokonga, Townsend, Adebayo, Morris.

Subs:Shea, Kaminski, Potts, Berry, Woodrow, Chong, Mpanzu, Johnson, Nelson.

It is a return to familiar territory for Ross Barkley but it is also a reunion for Andros Townsend, who spent two years at Everton between 2021 and 2023.

Leicester: Stolarczyk, Choudhury, Nelson, Coady, Doyle, Akgun, Cover, Praet, Albrighton, Vardy, Marcal-Madivadua.

Subs: Ward, Justin, Faes, Mavididi, Pereira, Cannon, McAteer, Thomas, Raikhy.

Birmingham: Ruddy, Laird, Aiwu, Bielik, Buchanan, James, Sunjic, Miyoshi, Anderson, Dembele, Stansfield.

Subs: Etheridge, Roberts, Roberts, Hogan, Gardner, Longelo, Long, Burke, Donovan.

They have done it! Maidstone are into the fifth round of the FA Cup! What a story from Portman Road; 2nd place in the Championship are beaten by 4th place in the National League South. As they say, that is the magic of the FA Cup! You can read more about Maidstone’s victory here.

Sheffield United: Grbic, Osborn, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Norwood, Hamer, Norrington-Davies, Brereton, Osula, Archer.

Subs: McBurnie, Foderingham, Robinson, de Souza Costa, Ben Slimane, Larouci, McAtee, Brooks, Seriki.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, Igor, Webster, van Hecke, Estupinan, Gilmour, Gross, Buonanotte, Ferguson, Pedro.

Subs: Lamptey, Dunk, Milner, Lallana, Moder, Welbeck, Baleba, Steele, Baker-Boaitey.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has gone 14 matches since his last goal for Everton but at least he’ll have the physical presence of Beto alongside him for today’s tie with Luton. They start together in what looks like will be a 4-4-2 formation.

Everton will hope this is a good omen - they have met the Hatters only three times in the FA Cup in their history but have won all three ties and have gone on to reach the final each time.

In 1933, when the legendary Dixie Dean was in their team, they won a sixth round tie at Goodison 6-0 and went on to bet Manchester City in the final.

They didn’t meet again until the 1984-85 semi-final when they won 2-1 at Villa Park, before losing to Manchester United in the final.

The following season they met the Hatters again, this time in the fifth round, and after a 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road, Everton won the replay 1-0. There was disappointment in the final again however when they lost to Liverpool 3-1.

They are into eight minutes of added time at Portman Road and Maidstone are not far away from the fifth round.

Leeds: Meslier, Shackleton, Rodon, Cooper, Byram, Gruev, Ampadu, Gnonto, Rutter, Anthony, Piroe.

Subs: Firpo, Cresswell, Kamara, Bamford, Klaesson, Poveda, Gelhardt, Joseph, Christy.

Plymouth: Hazard, Phillips, Galloway, Gibson, Mumba, Roberts, Randell, Miller, Whittaker, Hardie, Wright.

Subs: Pleguezuelo, Scarr, Butcher, Edwards, Bundu, Waine, Burton, Sorinola, Issaka.

There are three other FA Cup fourth round ties kicking off at 3pm in addition to the one at Goodison Park. Let’s start with the team news at Elland Road...

We could be on for a big shock at Portman Road as the lowest-ranked side left in the competition Maidstone United lead Championship high-flyers Ipswich 2-1 with just five minutes to go.

Having a bet on today’s match? First take a look at these free bets and betting offers.

Ross Barkley is back on familiar ground this afternoon with his Luton teammates. Having come through the Everton academy, he spent nearly a decade as part of the senior set-up at Goodison Park before joining Chelsea in 2018. What type of a reception will he receive this afternoon?

It is FA Cup fourth round weekend and we have plenty of action this afternoon with one game currently in play and five more to come. Our focus will be on Goodison Park for an all-Premier League tie as Everton host Luton at Goodison Park. Everton reached the fourth round after defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 in a third-round replay. Luton were also taken to a replay, by League One Bolton, and came through 2-1.

Meanwhile at Bramall Lane Sheffield United take on Brighton in another Premier League encounter. Elsewhere Leeds United take on Plymouth at Elland Road and current Championship leaders Leicester host Birmingham City. Later this evening Fulham host Newcastle at Craven Cottage, which you will be able to follow with us later.

Ipswich are currently in action against Maidstone United, who are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. We will give you updates on that game, which kicked off at 12.30pm.

Last night there were four ties in the fourth round. Bristol City of the Championship drew 0-0 against Nottingham Forest of the Premier League. Stamford Bridge witnessed the same score line as Chelsea drew with Aston Villa in an all-Premier League encounter. Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 at home against Coventry, which means all three of those ties will head to a replay. 

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Manchester City beat Tottenham 1-0 with a late Nathan Ake goal, sending Pep Guardiola’s side into the fifth round. On Thursday night Bournemouth kicked off the fourth round in style with a dominant 5-0 thrashing of Swansea at the Vitality Stadium.

Team news from Goodison Park and the other 3pm kick-offs to come shortly.