Wednesday was a busy day in FA Cup action, as many of the top teams in the championship were on display. In the end four teams advanced to the quarterfinals round.
Liverpool beat Southampton comprehensively 3-0 to cruise into the next round. Manchester United on the other hand had a tougher matchup against Nottingham Forest which they won via a last minute goal from Casemiro. Man United and Liverpool will now face off against each other on March 16th at Old Trafford.
Chelsea was able to defeat Leeds in dramatic fashion, after Conor Gallagher scored the game-winner in the 90th minute. The 3-2 victory booked them a ticket with Leicester City in the quarters which will be played at Stamford Bridge on March 16th.
Liverpool Win Easily 3-0 Despite Injury Concerns
Even with the injury issues, Premier League table toppers Liverpool were able to beat Southampton quite easily to advance in the FA Cup. Teenager Jayden Danns scored twice after coming off the bench and 18-year-old Lewis Koumas scored on debut.
Koumas collected Bobby Clark’s pass and found the bottom corner with a shot that deflected off Jack Stephens just a minute before the half. Danns then replaced Koumas in the second half and continued the scoring. First off a lovely push finish on a Harvey Elliot pass and then two minutes later with a great strike past Southampton goalkeeper Joe Lumley.
Danns became the youngest Liverpool player to score two or more goals in a game since Michael Owen scored a hat-trick against Grimsby in November 1997.
Liverpool will be hopeful they’ll have a few more of their experienced players back from injury before they travel to play Man United in a couple of weeks. The young talent has however proven that they will put up a fight regardless.
Man United Sneak Past Nottingham Forest, 1-0
Manchester United escaped with a win against Nottingham Forest to set up a meeting with old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford next month. The victory came thanks to an 89th-minute winner by Casemiro which took the match 1-0.
The Brazilian forward was able to dash past the defense and to flick Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick past the keeper. The goal was approved after a very long VAR check for a possible offside in the play. In the end the referee was happy with the outcome and the goal was awarded to send Man United ahead with almost no time left in the match.
Without Harry Maguire out with a suspected knee injury, United will have a tough one on Sunday when they visit Manchester City. City have been on an absolute tear as of late with their newly healthy squad and will be looking to take the top spot from Liverpool.
Nottingham Forest will have avoiding relegation on their mind, currently sitting in the 17th spot in the Premier League. Right now they are only 4 points away from being sent down a tier. It won’t get any easier next week when they face Liverpool on the 2nd of March.
Chelsea Beat Leeds 3-2 With Gallagher Winner
Conor Gallagher scored in the very last minute of regulation to provide Chelsea with a dramatic victory over Leeds United. The match looked like it was heading into a tie Gallagher was found free in the penalty area and skied one past Illan Meslier to put his team ahead.
Chelsea had to come from behind after a defensive error ended up with Mateo Joseph scoring his first senior goal as Leeds in the 9th. The lead didn’t last long though as the visitors scored just 6 minutes later when Nicolas Jackson’s low stroke met the back of the net.
Chelsea then took the lead in the 39th when Mudryk scored off a pass from Raheem Sterling. Joseph tied the game back up in the second half with a header at the back post fed by Jaidon Anthony’s excellent cross.
Ultimately, Gallagher’s last minute goal was the difference in the match, booking the team’s quarter final meeting with Leicester City in a couple weeks.
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