Liverpool cruise into FA Cup 5th round, Newcastle knock out Villa

Mohamed Salah struck as Liverpool cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday, while Sandro Tonali’s double inspired Newcastle United to a 3-1 comeback win over 10-man Aston Villa.

Brighton had beaten Manchester United in round three, but the Seagulls have been in miserable form since and were easily beaten by an improving Liverpool at Anfield.

Curtis Jones was forced to start in an unusual role at right-back due to a number of defensive injuries for the English champions and burst into the box to open the scoring from Milos Kerkez’s cross.

Salah has been a shadow of his former self for most of the season but a second-half goal and assist could prove a major confidence boost.

The Egyptian’s cushioned pass set Dominik Szoboszlai clear to hammer in Liverpool’s second before Salah converted his 252nd goal for the Reds from the penalty spot.

“It’s very nice to have him on the scoresheet again (Salah), but he also helps the team a lot defensively, and that is something very positive,” Liverpool coach Arne Slot told reporters.

Newcastle overcame Villa in an incident-packed encounter at Villa Park.

Tammy Abraham appeared to be offside when he bagged a controversial opener for Villa before home goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off for fouling Jacob Murphy before halftime.

The Magpies rallied after the break. Tonali scored twice, including a sublime long-range effort, to turn the tie and substitute Nick Woltemade added a third.

“The officials don’t make any decision on purpose, it’s just what they think at the time, but without VAR, I thought there were a lot of errors today,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.

Leeds survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a penalty shoot-out victory against second-tier Birmingham on Sunday.

Birmingham substitute Patrick Roberts snatched an 89th-minute equaliser at St Andrew’s to cancel out Lukas Nmecha’s 49th-minute opener for Leeds.

With a feisty fourth round tie level at 1-1 after extra-time, Leeds won the shoot-out 4-2.

Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson and Sean Longstaff all converted their penalties for Daniel Farke’s team.

Tommy Doyle’s effort was saved by Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri before Roberts fired over the crossbar.

“Lucas was massive today, obviously in the shootout but in the game, the first half especially,” Longstaff told TNT Sports.

“We’ve ground out a result. It’s never pretty in the FA Cup but we’re happy to get through. Any time you get drawn away to a team in a lower division to you, a lot of people expect you to rock up and ​win, but it’s never the case.

“I thought they were excellent today. Ultimately, it ‌comes down to the moments and we were better in the bigger moments today.”

Battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, Leeds are one win away from reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002-03.

Wolves also avoided an upset as they won 1-0 at fourth-division Grimsby.

Grimsby stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.

But Wolves avoided similar embarrassment thanks to Santiago Bueno’s 60th-minute goal from the visitors’ first shot on target on a mud-caked pitch at Blundell Park.

Grimsby didn’t manage to force Wolves ‘keeper Sam Johnstone into a save until Andy Cook’s header in the 90th minute.

It was Wolves’ first away win since beating Manchester United in April.

Mired in a miserable season that has left them bottom of the Premier League and almost certain to be relegated, Rob Edwards’ side can still salvage some pride in the FA Cup.

Agencies