This weekend saw the FA Cup return for the fourth round, with some intriguing ties including Manchester United vs Liverpool.
Here are TIBS News’ winners and losers from the action.
WINNERS
5. Chorley
Despite going out of the FA Cup on Friday night, Chorley have done themselves and non-league football proud. The Magpies entered the fourth round for the first time in their history and put up a good fight against Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
This was also their sixth game in the competition, providing a good financial boost to the club. Chorley sold more than 2,000 virtual tickets for this fourth-round tie which will come in handy during this Covid-hit campaign.
4. Tammy Abraham
This was another much-needed confidence boost for Chelsea as their 3-1 win over Luton Town also saw striker Tammy Abraham score a hat-trick. The England international scored two goals in six minutes to get Chelsea on their way before completing his hat-trick in the 74th minute.
The 23-year-old is the first English Chelsea player to score a FA Cup hat-trick since Frank Lampard against Macclesfield in 2007. It was Abraham’s second Chelsea treble, with the first coming in a 5-2 away win at Wolves last season.
3. West Ham United
The Hammers carried on their good run of form by beating League One side Doncaster Rovers 4-0. Unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, Pablo Fornals opened the scoring within two minutes before Andriy Yarmolenko added a second before half-time for the Hammers.
It was also a great day for Dapo Afolayan who scored on his debut for West Ham to round off the convincing win. Maybe West Ham could be a dark horse for the cup?
2. Burnley
It has been a good four days for Burnley. In this timespan they have beaten Liverpool away in the Premier League, moved up to 15th in the table, seen relegation rivals Newcastle lose and have beating fellow top-flight side Fulham in the FA Cup.
In the latter, Jay Rodriquez ended a 19-game drought to head the Clarets ahead before half-time before adding a second from the spot on 71 minutes. Kevin Long added a third before full time – his first goal since notching against Burton Albion in the League Cup in 2018. It was a confidence boosting week for Burnley ahead of Premier League games against Aston Villa and Chelsea.
1. Manchester United
Manchester United continued their good run of form with a victory over bitter rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup, with the 3-2 win a much-improved performance from the 0-0 draw at Anfield the week before. Goals from Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes helped seal United’s path into the next round where they will face West Ham United at home.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in the last five matches in all competitions and will look to add to their run when they face Sheffield United and Arsenal in their next two Premier League games.
LOSERS
5. Kepa Arrizabalaga
The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the third round but added to his collection of Chelsea howlers against Luton Town on Sunday. With Chelsea leading 2-0, Luton struck when Jordan Clark hit the ball on the half volley past the Spaniard who fumbled his effort to save the shot.
The goal conceded proved the point as to why Lampard wanted another goalkeeper at the club. Arrizabalaga has conceded eight goals from 20 shots on target he’s faced this season.
4. Wycombe Wanderers
Defeat in the FA Cup by Tottenham ended the club’s good current home form where they had won two out of their last three games. Wycombe started the game against their Premier League opponents well and took the lead through Fred Onyedinma. Spurs stepped up their quality and ended up bringing on Harry Kane, Tanguy Ndombele and Son Heung-min to run out as 4-1 winners late on.
Wycombe now face an uphill battle to stay in the Championship. Confidence could be low as they are currently rooted to the bottom of table and are 10 points adrift from safety but do have two games in hand.
3. Nottingham Forest
A 5-1 hammering at the hands of fellow Championship side Swansea was a bad result for Chris Hughton’s side – especially off the back of a good spell of results leading into this match. Two goals apiece from Liam Cullen and Matt Grimes saw the hosts lead 4-1 before Oliver Cooper added a fifth to help the Swans to victory.
A win for Forest could’ve helped the growing confidence within the squad as they battle relegation. Forest sit five points above the drop zone but Wycombe, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham all have at least two games in hand.
2. Liverpool
Another year and another early exit from the FA Cup for Liverpool. Defeat at bitter rivals Manchester United was their fourth exit in the fourth round of the cup in the six years since Jurgen Klopp took charge as manager.
The defeat adds to Liverpool’s current worries too as the Premier League champions have only picked up one win in 2021- and that was in the previous round against a youthful looking Aston Villa side. Liverpool’s attention will now turn to the league where they trail leaders United by six points.
1. Arsenal
Last season’s FA Cup winners Arsenal were knocked out of the competition after a 1-0 defeat at Southampton. The only goal in the game came in the first half from an own goal by Gabriel. Arsenal made a number of changes from their Premier League game against Newcastle – with key absentees being captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and left back Kieran Tierney.
Saturday’s match was a game where Southampton had the majority of the chances, but a solid defensive game helped them beat the holders. The result could spell the end of Arsenal’s trophy hunt this season with the Europa League the only competition left for them to win.
Reminder of the fifth-round draw – with ties to be played February 9-11
Burnley vs Bournemouth/Crawley
Manchester United vs West Ham United
Sheffield United vs Bristol City
Wolves vs Southampton
Barnsley vs Chelsea
Everton vs Tottenham
Swansea City vs Manchester City
Leicester City vs Brighton
By Chris Boxx
