There’s something about the FA Cup that invites reflection as much as anticipation.
It’s a competition steeped in history, romance, and the idea that footballing narratives can be rewritten in a single afternoon — and for Sunderland AFC Women, today’s fourth round tie against London City Lionesses at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground arrives at a moment that feels both transitional and symbolic.
It’s a chance to assert our identity, to reclaim momentum and remind everyone about the club’s roots and enduring
ambition, whereas for the Lionesses, it’s another step on a journey defined by rapid growth and a determination to establish themselves as a force in the women’s game.
Sunderland’s story is one of heritage, community and resilience.
The club’s women’s side has long been a cradle of talent, producing players who’ve gone on to shape the national team and the WSL.
The North East has always been a hotbed of footballing passion and Sunderland Women have embodied that spirit through eras of success, struggle, and reinvention. Their identity is tied to graft, togetherness and a belief in developing local players who understand what it means to wear the badge — yet this season has been one of frustration as much as promise.
The squad has shown flashes of quality, moments of cohesion and individual brilliance, but consistency has been elusive. Performances have fluctuated between confident, assertive displays and those during which rhythm has been difficult to find. The league campaign hasn’t unfolded as hoped, and the table doesn’t reflect the potential within the squad.
That’s precisely why the FA Cup feels so important. It offers a clean slate, a chance to build momentum and an opportunity to create a narrative separate from the league.
The third round win over Derby County was a reminder of what Sunderland can be when they play with freedom, intensity, and belief. The 1-5 scoreline was emphatic but it was the manner of the performance that stood out.
Sunderland controlled the match from the outset, moved the ball with purpose and demonstrated a ruthlessness in the final third that’s occasionally been missing. The goals were well‑crafted, the pressing coordinated and the defensive structure solid. It was a performance that suggested the team is beginning to find its identity again, and it provided a platform on which to build.
The subsequent 2–1 league win over Ipswich Town Women reinforced that sense of upward movement.
Ipswich are a competitive, well‑organised side, and Sunderland’s ability to manage the game, respond to pressure, and maintain their shape was encouraging. It wasn’t a perfect performance but it was a mature one, characterised by resilience and adaptability. These qualities will be essential against London City Lionesses — a team whose recent form has been inconsistent but whose overall trajectory remains upward.
The Lionesses are, in many ways, the antithesis of Sunderland.
Whereas Sunderland’s identity is rooted in tradition, community, and player development, today’s opponents represent modernity, ambition and a bold attempt to redefine what a women’s football club can be.
Formed in 2019 after breaking away from Millwall Lionesses, they’ve positioned themselves as an independent, forward‑thinking club with a clear vision for growth. Their rise has been rapid, marked by investment, infrastructure development, and a commitment to building a competitive squad capable of challenging the WSL in seasons to come.
For today’s visitors, the 2025/2026 season thus far has been spectacular and perhaps aspirations within the club are higher — albeit for those of us with loyalty elsewhere.
It’s been a brilliant surprise to see a newly promoted side acclimatize to life in the WSL so well, yet their recent results — a 0-0 draw to Liverpool and narrow defeats to Leicester Women and Brighton Women offset by a 2–0 win over Ipswich Town Women in the Subway Cup — were those of a team that’s competitive but struggling for consistency.
They’re tactically disciplined and defensively organised, but have found it difficult to convert possession into goals and to maintain control across ninety minutes. Yet their overall trajectory remains upward, and their ambition is clear: they’re a club on the rise, determined to establish themselves as a major force in the women’s game.
The contrast between the two clubs adds an intriguing layer to today’s match.
Sunderland are seeking to reassert themselves after a challenge, whereas London City are looking to continue their ascent. The FA Cup — with its capacity for drama and reinvention — provides the perfect stage for these narratives to collide.
The head‑to‑head record between the two sides is heavily weighted in favour of the visitors. Across eight previous meetings, Sunderland have managed just one win, with London City taking six victories and one match ending in a draw.
The aggregate scoreline — thirteen goals for London City and three for Sunderland — underlines the scale of the challenge that’s traditionally confronted the Lasses in this fixture. The Lionesses have often found ways to control the tempo, exploit space and punish Sunderland’s mistakes —yet cup football has a habit of ignoring history, and Sunderland’s recent form suggests they’re better-placed to challenge that narrative than in previous seasons.
One of the key figures in Sunderland’s recent resurgence has been Emily Scarr, and her influence on the team’s attacking play can’t be overstated.
She brings a blend of pace, directness and technical ability that makes her a constant threat — particularly in transition. Her ability to carry the ball at speed, commit defenders and create space for teammates is invaluable, and her finishing has become increasingly assured.
During the win over Ipswich, Scarr’s movement and decision‑making were central to Sunderland’s attacking success, and her presence on the pitch forces opposition defences to adjust their shape and positioning.
Against a London City side that’s shown vulnerabilities in wide areas and has at times struggled to track runners from deep, Scarr’s role becomes even more significant, and her capacity to exploit space, stretch the back line and create moments of individual quality could be decisive in a match where chances may be limited.
London City Lionesses, for their part, will look to Izzy Goodwin as their key attacking threat.
Goodwin has been one of their bright sparks, offering energy, creativity and a willingness to take risks in the final third. Her movement between the lines and ability to find pockets of space make her a difficult player to mark — and Sunderland will need to be disciplined in midfield to prevent her from dictating play.
Goodwin’s capacity to carry the ball and drive at defenders could pose problems — particularly if Sunderland commit numbers forward and leave space in transition — and her goal during London City’s 2–0 win over Sunderland in February 2025 is a reminder of her ability to influence this fixture.
The tactical battle between Scarr and Goodwin adds an intriguing subplot to the match.
Scarr’s directness and goal threat contrast with Goodwin’s more creative, probing style, and whichever player is able to impose themselves on the game may well tilt the balance in their team’s favour — yet the match is unlikely to be defined by individual brilliance alone.
Sunderland’s recent performances have been characterised by collective effort, with players across the pitch contributing to both attacking and defensive phases. Their pressing has become more coordinated, their transitions more fluid and their defensive structure more resilient. These improvements will be essential against a London City side that, despite their inconsistencies, remain capable of controlling possession and creating chances when given time and space.
One of the areas where Sunderland may find joy is in pressing high up the pitch, as London City have shown vulnerability when attempting to play out from the back, with turnovers in dangerous areas leading to chances for the opposition.
Sunderland’s recent performances suggest they’re increasingly comfortable when pressing aggressively, and if they can disrupt London City’s build‑up play, they may be able to force errors and create opportunities.
The Lionesses’ narrow defensive shape, effective in limiting central penetration, can leave space in wide areas, and Sunderland’s wide players — particularly Katy Watson— will look to exploit these gaps. Quick switches of play, overlapping runs and early crosses could all be effective strategies for stretching the London City defence and creating openings.
Set pieces may also play a significant role in the match. Sunderland have shown improvement in their delivery and organisation — although they now need to capitalise on this — while London City have at times struggled to defend dead-ball situations.
In a tight match, a well‑executed corner or free‑kick could prove decisive and the psychological dimension of the match shouldn’t be underestimated. Sunderland’s recent victories have created a sense of momentum, and the players will feel they’re building towards something. London City, conversely, may be carrying the weight of recent defeats and a change in management, and an early setback could unsettle them.
On the other hand, if the Lionesses are able to frustrate Sunderland and keep the match tight, they may grow in confidence and begin to assert themselves.
The FA Cup has a unique ability to produce drama and Saturday’s match has all the ingredients for a memorable encounter. For Sunderland, it’s an opportunity to continue their upward trajectory, to challenge a longstanding rival and to take another step on their journey. For London City, it’s a chance to assert themselves, to draw on their strong record in the fixture and to remind women’s football as a whole of their quality.
The match promises to be a showcase of determination, skill and competitive spirit.
It’s everything the FA Cup represents, and for Sunderland, with momentum behind them and belief growing, it may just be the perfect moment to rewrite the narrative.
