Liverpool and Manchester City eased into the FA Cup fifth round, while Mansfield Town produced a major upset by knocking out Premier League Burnley.
MOHAMED Salah found form with a goal and an assist as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield. Curtis Jones, playing at right-back due to injuries, opened the scoring before Salah set up Dominik Szoboszlai and then converted a penalty for his 252nd Liverpool goal.
Manchester City secured a 2-0 win over fourth-tier Salford City, owned by Manchester United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville. An early Alfie Dorrington own goal gave City the lead, but the decisive second came late from Marc Guehi, scoring his first goal for the club since his January move.
Pep Guardiola acknowledged Salford’s resilient performance. “They defended really well, so tight and we didn’t attack the spaces the way we should,” the City manager said.
Newcastle United came from behind to beat 10-man Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park. Sandro Tonali was the hero with two goals, including a stunning long-range strike, after Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off in the first half.
The match featured a major officiating error when a clear handball by Lucas Digne inside the box was incorrectly given as a free-kick. With VAR not in use, the decision stood, prompting former England captain Wayne Rooney to call it “one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen!”
The shock of the day came at Turf Moor where League Two Mansfield Town defeated Premier League Burnley 2-1. Burnley manager Scott Parker’s decision to make nine changes backfired after his side took an early lead, with Louis Reed scoring a brilliant late free-kick to send Mansfield into the fifth round for the first time since 1975.
Elsewhere, ten-man West Ham needed extra-time to secure a 1-0 win at League One Burton Albion, with Crysencio Summerville scoring the decisive goal.
