Liverpool F.C. powered into the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., while Manchester City F.C. defeated fourth-tier Salford City F.C. 2-0 to secure their place in the next round.
Salah Inspires Liverpool
At Anfield, Curtis Jones opened the scoring in an unfamiliar right-back role, bursting into the box to convert from Milos Kerkez’s cross amid Liverpool’s defensive injury concerns.
Mohamed Salah, who has endured a difficult campaign by his high standards, delivered a confidence-boosting performance in the second half. His delicate pass set up Dominik Szoboszlai to fire home Liverpool’s second before Salah sealed the victory from the penalty spot — his 252nd goal for the club.
Brighton, who had earlier eliminated Manchester United in the previous round, struggled to match Liverpool’s intensity and were comfortably outplayed.
City See Off Beckham’s Salford
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City were made to work hard by Salford, the League Two side co-owned by David Beckham and Gary Neville.
City took an early lead through an Alfie Dorrington own goal but found it difficult to break down Salford’s disciplined defence. England defender Marc Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace in January, scored his first goal for City late on to secure the win.
City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his side lacked fluency at times, praising Salford’s organisation and resilience.
Newcastle Stage Comeback
Newcastle United F.C. came from behind to beat Aston Villa F.C. 3-1, with Sandro Tonali scoring twice in an impressive turnaround.
Villa had taken the lead through Tammy Abraham, but the match shifted after goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Tonali’s free-kick, awarded controversially after a Lucas Digne handball inside the box, deflected in for the equaliser. With VAR not in operation at this stage, the decision could not be reviewed — prompting former England captain Wayne Rooney to label it “one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.”
Tonali later produced a stunning long-range strike to put Newcastle ahead before Nick Woltemade added a third, sending the Magpies into the last 16 as they continue their bid for a first FA Cup triumph since 1955.
Mansfield Upset Burnley
In the day’s biggest shock, third-tier Mansfield Town F.C. defeated Premier League side Burnley F.C. 2-1 — their first progression to the fifth round since 1975.
Despite taking the lead through Josh Laurent, Burnley’s heavily rotated side paid the price for manager Scott Parker’s gamble as Rhys Oates equalised before Louis Reed struck a superb late free-kick to seal a famous victory.
Elsewhere, 10-man West Ham United F.C. edged past Burton Albion 1-0 after extra-time, thanks to in-form winger Crysencio Summerville.
