The 6TH OFCL

CHELSEA EDGE OUT A RESILIENT BARNSLEY SIDE BY A THIN MARGIN TO REACH THE QUARTERS

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said his side failed to show "enough courage" in their narrow FA Cup win over Championship side Barnsley.

Tammy Abraham scored the winner with his side's only attempt on target to book a quarter-final home tie with Sheffield United.

Abraham was forced to make a headed goal-line clearance towards the end to deny Barnsley substitute Michael Sollbauer an equaliser.

"We scored the goal and I had the feeling that they increased the risk, but we stepped down in the little decisions," added Tuchel, who made 10 changes to his side.

"Not enough courage and it was too deep for a long, long time. We clearly can play better, so yes I expected more but not in terms that I am frustrated.

"We can do better but I don't want to be too hard on the players."

Hard-working Barnsley were the better team in the first half with Kepa Arrizabalaga blocking Callum Brittain's attempt at point-blank range.

The hosts claimed Abraham was offside for his goal but the England forward just held his run to ensure he was onside to finish from close range.

Chelsea are now unbeaten in five games since Tuchel took charge in January and will entertain Sheffield United in the sixth round on the weekend of 20-21 March.

TOFFEES SEE OFF SPURS IN A CLASSIC 9-GOAL THRILLER

Everton reached the FA Cup quarter-finals after edging out Tottenham Hotspur in a nine-goal classic at Goodison Park.

A magnificent contest swung in both teams' favour before Carlo Ancelotti's hosts - showing huge reserves of resolve and fitness - finally struck the decisive blow when Bernard fired home in the seventh minute of extra time.

Spurs dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded when Davinson Sanchez headed in from a corner in the third minute before Everton sprang to life with a three-goal burst inside eight minutes before half-time.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who later went off with what looked like a groin injury, levelled nine minutes before the break with a shot Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should have saved, before Richarlison's fine low drive and Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty looked to have put Everton in command.
But Erik Lamela scored in the closing seconds of the first half to put Spurs back in contention and Sanchez pounced again after more chaos at a corner to drag Jose Mourinho's side level just before the hour.

Mourinho then introduced Harry Kane but it was Everton who edged ahead again as more brilliant individual work by Richarlison restored their advantage after 68 minutes - but it was inevitable Spurs' main man would have a say.

It came with seven minutes of normal time left as Everton were undone by the old firm, Son Heung-min's cross the perfect invitation for Kane to score with a far-post header.

All the momentum appeared to be with Spurs but Everton are now a side to be reckoned with under Ancelotti and Bernard cashed in after more good work by Sigurdsson - who was involved in three goals - to beat Lloris with an angled finish.

There was still time for Spurs to respond but Everton saw out an outstanding victory in relative comfort.

UNITED THROUGH TO THE QUATERS AS THEY BEAT HAMMERS AT HOME; A MUCH NEEDED BOOST FOR THE DEVILS

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was pleased with his players' mentality in their FA Cup fifth-round win against West Ham after "feeling low" following the draw with Everton.

Scott McTominay scored in extra time to send the Red Devils into the quarter-finals.

And Solskjaer felt his players provided the perfect response to conceding a late equaliser in the 3-3 draw with the Toffees on Saturday.

"We needed to have a good result and a good feeling today because we were low after the Everton game," he said.

"That was hard to take but they were really focused and did the job."

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire said he felt the players showed their strength of character to bounce back from the Everton result.

"Last Saturday was tough - especially in the second half," he said.

"We showed great spirit and a good mentality to come back and perform. We know it's a long season and tonight was perfect. It's important to get through."

On a bitterly cold night at Old Trafford, the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock inside 90 minutes when Lukasz Fabianski reacted quickly to turn the ball on to a post after Victor Lindelof's header had taken a huge deflection off Craig Dawson.

However, in a game that included a historic concussion substitution - when Issa Diop was replaced at half-time by Ryan Fredericks - McTominay had the final word.

Following a break that took United from one penalty area to the other, Marcus Rashford - on his 250th United appearance - flicked a delicate pass into McTominay's path with the outside of his foot and the Scotland midfielder's first-time finish flew low into the net.

It means United have reached the last eight for a seventh consecutive year as they bid to lift the trophy for the first time since 2016.

LATE DRAMA IN BAMBOLIM AS ISHAN PANDITA SCORES INJURY TIME EQUALISER TO SALVAGE A POINT FOR THE VISITORS IN A THRILLING GAME

Ishan Pandita scored in the final minute of injury time as FC Goa held leaders Mumbai City FC to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling encounter in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday. The result helped Goa climb back up to third in the table, level on points with Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC, but ahead on goal difference. Mumbai meanwhile missed a chance to go six clear at the top and the result opens up a chance for second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan to close the gap on the leaders when they play Bengaluru FC on Tuesday.

Hugo Boumous gave Mumbai the lead in the 20th minute from a fast break, with Adam Le Fondre finding the Frenchman with a pass from outside his own box. With every Goa player in the opposition half and no one covering at the back, Boumous would had a free run on goal, went one-one-one the keeper before rounding him up to roll the ball into the net. Mumbai doubled the lead in the 26th minute, as Adam Le Fondre reacted the quickest to head the ball home from a rebound following a corner routine.

Goa, despite some poor finishing early on, remained on the attack throughout, and got their reward just before half-time with a stunning long-range strike Glan Martins, who found the top right corner. They started the second half in similar fashion and Igor Angulo soon put them level with a well-placed header off Alberto Noguera's cross.

Mumbai had several chances to restore their lead in the last quarter, most notably in the 80th minute through Rowllin Borges, but the midfielder scuffed his shot from just yards out. Borges would redeem himself just 10 minutes later, getting at the end of Boumous' free kick from the left channel to tap the ball home.

But there was late drama to follow, as Goa won a free kick on the right hand channel. Edu Bedia delivered a pin-point cross and second-half substitute Pandita scored with a brilliant header to earn him team a vital point and keep them alive in the playoffs race.

Goa next face Chennaiyin FC on February 13, while Mumbai are up against Bengaluru on February 15.

CITY OWN ANFIELD!

Manchester City took a potentially decisive hold on the Premier League title race as they thrashed Liverpool at Anfield - helped by a virtuoso performance by Phil Foden and a nightmare display from the champions' goalkeeper Alisson.

City's comprehensive triumph, their first at Anfield since 2003 and Pep Guardiola's first away to Liverpool as a manager, was achieved in such comfort that they were able to recover from Ilkay Gundogan's first-half penalty miss.

Gundogan, who skied his spot-kick after Fabinho fouled Raheem Sterling, made amends when he put City ahead four minutes into the second period, after Alisson could only push out Foden's shot.

Mohamed Salah equalised for Liverpool from the spot just after the hour after he was hauled back by Ruben Dias - but then came the combination of Alisson's errors and Foden's genius as the hosts were run ragged.

Alisson was punished for two poor clearances as Foden set up Gundogan to put City back in front after 73 minutes, then three minutes later the Brazil keeper inexplicably sent a pass straight to Bernardo Silva, whose clever cross was headed in almost on the goalline by Sterling.

City saved the best until last when Foden, the game's outstanding performer, thundered a magnificent finish high past the beleaguered Alisson seven minutes from time.

The emphatic victory leaves City five points ahead of second-placed Manchester United, having played a game less - and 10 points ahead of Liverpool with a match in hand.

A SERIOUS SETBACK FOR UNITED'S TITLE ASPIRATIONS AS EVERTON SEAL DRAMATIC ONE POINT

Dominic Calvert-Lewin secured a dramatic point for Everton in the fifth minute of stoppage time as they twice came from behind to hold Manchester United in a six-goal thriller at Old Trafford.

On the 63rd anniversary of the Munich air disaster, Scott McTominay's header seemed to have sealed a victory that would have taken United level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

However, after they had already responded superbly to falling two behind before half-time on Saturday, Everton refused to buckle.

And, as United grew increasingly desperate, Calvert-Lewin took advantage of weak defending from a Lucas Digne free-kick to stab in from close range.

United are now two points behind league leaders City and have also played two games more than their neighbours.

Speaking about the situation at the top of the table, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Sky Sports: "We're not talking about winning titles.

"We've come a long way. We shouldn't be considered as title chasers. That's one for you [media]. We've got better as a team - let's see where we end up."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side only had themselves to blame for failing to secure maximum points. Excellent first-half efforts from Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes should have been the prelude to a comfortable second period.

But goalkeeper David de Gea's mistake gifted Abdoulaye Doucoure a goal four minutes after the restart and, on the visitors' next attack, James Rodriguez rifled home the equaliser before McTominay's header was cancelled out by Calvert-Lewin's late intervention.

LONDON IS BLUE!

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho criticised referee Andre Marriner's performance after his side lost at home to Chelsea, who continued their unbeaten start under new boss Thomas Tuchel and moved into the Premier League's top six.

Jorginho's first-half penalty, awarded after Eric Dier clumsily upended Timo Werner, gave the Blues a win their more progressive approach deserved against a Spurs side devoid of ideas and ambition until it was too late.

Tuchel has now enjoyed two wins and a draw, without conceding a goal, since replacing the sacked Frank Lampard, and while the animated German occasionally displayed signs of frustration in his technical area, this was ultimately a satisfying outcome.

In contrast, it was a third successive defeat in a dismal sequence for Tottenham and Mourinho, as they were punished for a desperately negative gameplan which, shorn of main marksman Harry Kane, barely gave Chelsea an anxious moment until Carlos Vinicius headed Serge Aurier's cross wide at the far post when unmarked late on.

CHAMPIONS LIVERPOOL SHOCKED BY BRIGHTON AS THEY GO SEVEN POINTS ADRIFT FROM THE TOP

Brighton boss Graham Potter praised his side's "courage, quality and togetherness" as they stunned Liverpool at Anfield to move 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

Steven Alzate got a fortuitous but deserved winner for Brighton, who are now unbeaten in four league matches, while the Reds' recent struggles at home continued.

Liverpool, who are seven points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more, have not won at home since 16 December and have failed to score in three consecutive games at Anfield for the first time since October 1984.
After going 68 games without a league defeat at their home ground, Jurgen Klopp's side have now also lost back-to-back games there.

Dan Burn should have put the visitors ahead in the first half, only to slice over the crossbar, but it was the defender's header across goal that set up the winner.

Nathaniel Phillips could only get a toe to it and the ball deflected off Alzate and beyond stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

"We fought when we had to - we had to block and defend as a team - but I thought we showed quality when we attacked and courage and bravery with the ball," said Potter.

"To come here and get the result we have, I think you have got to be close to perfect. I thought we were.

"Fantastic performance. I thought the players were amazing. Such courage, quality, togetherness."
It lifts Brighton to 15th in the table, while Liverpool slip to fourth after Leicester City's win at Fulham.

RED DEVILS RAIN DOWN ON SAINTS

Manchester United equalled the Premier League record by putting nine goals past nine-man Southampton - the second time Saints have lost 9-0 in as many seasons.

A red card for Saints' Alexandre Jankewitz after only two minutes triggered a complete collapse for the visitors, who were on the end of the same scoreline against Leicester City in October 2019.

It is only the third time a team has lost 9-0 in the Premier League, with United also beating Ipswich Town by that margin in 1995.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka opened the scoring with his first goal at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani also found the net either side of a Jan Bednarek own goal before the break.
After a fairly drab start to the second half, United cut loose, scoring five times in the final 21 minutes.

Anthony Martial ended an eight-match goal drought before Scott McTominay drove home from the edge of the area.

Then, after Bednarek became the second Saints player to be sent off - bringing down Martial to allow Bruno Fernandes the chance to score from the penalty spot on 87 minutes - the French forward netted his second, before Dan James wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time.

It was a stunning ending as United almost matched their club record 10-0 victory over Anderlecht in 1956.

CITY BEAT BLADES TO REMAIN TOP

Gabriel Jesus' ninth-minute goal was enough to earn Manchester City a 12th successive win and consolidate their position as Premier League leaders at the expense of bottom club Sheffield United.

It was not a vintage City performance. Aside from Jesus' close-range strike from a Ferran Torres cross, an instinctive header from Bernardo Silva, created by a stray Oliver Norwood header, was their only effort on target until Aaron Ramsdale denied Oleksandr Zinchenko and then Aymeric Laporte from the corner that followed. Ramsdale also kept out an injury-time Jesus shot.

But the Blues' defensive strength was again on show. Pep Guardiola's side have now kept five clean sheets in a row in the Premier League and an impressive 11 out of 13.

It was certainly far too strong for a visiting team who never looked like emulating their victory at Manchester United three days ago and remain rooted to the foot of the table, 10 points adrift of fourth-bottom Brighton.

And for Guardiola is was a staggering 500th win of a managerial career of 673 games.

MAGPIES BEAT TOFFEES AT HOME

Callum Wilson scored twice as Newcastle relieved the pressure on manager Steve Bruce with a much-needed win at Everton.

Bruce has endured intense criticism from Newcastle's fan base as his team lost their past five Premier League games to slip towards the relegation zone.

But after switching to a 4-4-2 diamond formation they secured their first win in 12 games, with Wilson's 50th and 51st Premier League goals helping to beat a passive Everton.

Wilson, who had drawn a classy save from Jordan Pickford in the first half and shot wide after the break, ended a seven-game goal drought by heading in Jonjo Shelvey's corner.

Newcastle's top scorer then hit the post before scoring in stoppage time.

Bruce was understandably delighted at the final whistle as his team moved nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Everton, who tested keeper Karl Darlow in the first half, could not find a way through Newcastle's defence and missed out on a chance to draw level on points with Liverpool.

Carlo Ancelotti's side remain seventh, four points off the top four.

REDS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT THE EXPENSE OF SPURS

Liverpool returned to form in impressive fashion as the Premier League champions secured a convincing victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

After a run of five league games without a win - four of those without a goal - Liverpool moved back into the top four as they discovered their cutting edge in style at the expense of an uninspiring Spurs.

Spurs, who lost striker Harry Kane to an ankle injury at half-time, had an early Son Heung-min strike ruled out for offside before Liverpool's threat was rewarded with their first league goal in 482 minutes in first-half stoppage time.

Brazil striker Roberto Firmino took advantage of hesitation between Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris to tap in Sadio Mane's low cross from close range.

France keeper Lloris was at fault again two minutes after the break when he pushed Mane's shot into the path of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who finished emphatically.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's 20-yard strike gave Spurs hope almost immediately but Liverpool were always in control of an entertaining second period.

After Mohamed Salah saw a goal disallowed by VAR for handball by Firmino in the build-up, Mane stole in at the far post to pounce on an error by the otherwise impressive Joe Rodon to secure the win for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Liverpool are now four points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.