FA Cup

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN rediscovered his Sheffield Steel to help Everton down Wednesday.
The ex-Sheffield United youngster ended his six-game goalscoring drought and two-game injury lay-off in South Yorkshire style.

Everton sailed into the FA Cup fifth round by beating Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Reuters

Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended his own mini drought in front of goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The England star was restored to the starting line-up after his comeback from injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Richarlison and Yerry Mina’s second half headers then sealed the deal as the Toffees secured a fifth-round spot for the first time in five years.
Sheffield Wednesday will be sick of the sight of the former Blades babe Calvert-Lewin – who also scored twice in a Carabao Cup third round tie at Hillsborough last season.
And recovering from his hamstring troubles, Calvert-Lewin looks back to his delightfully domineering best just in time for a 2021 surge.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti is adamant that will not include a challenge for the Prem title – mind games of the most experienced kind from the trophy-laden Italian coach, perhaps.

But it proves Ancelotti has eyes for FA Cup glory, and a desire to lift the trophy – or any trophy for that matter – for the first time since their last Wembley glory of 1995.
Ancelotti knows his Goodison history, revealing in his programme notes he watched Everton’s 1966 FA Cup final victory over Wednesday upon his arrival on Merseyside.
But ahead of the club’s first meeting with the Owls in this competition for 31 years, his focus was on the present – keen to avoid another cup scare after being taken to extra-time by Rotherham in the third round.
It explained his strong team selection, with big-hitters Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and James Rodriguez all starting alongside Andre Gomez and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

And their superiority showed from the off – Richarlison forcing Owls keeper Joe Wildsmith to tip his header onto the bar after eight minutes.
The Brazilian striker then went one better, curling into the bottom corner from a perfectly-weighted Rodriguez pass only to have it chalked off for offside.
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Yerry Mina (middle) and Richarlison (right) both netted as the Toffees sunk the OwlsCredit: Reuters
Chances came and went as Calvert-Lewin saw an effort from a tight angle well blocked by Wildsmith after a gorgeous flowing move.
And Wednesday were beginning to have some success on the counter as home frustrations grew with Kadeem Harris finding space down the right.
But that optimism was crushed by their old foe Calvert-Lewin, tapping in at the far post after Gomes twisted and turning the Wednesday defence before a fizzed delivery across goal.
His 15th goal in 20 games in all competitions this season – his last coming away at Burnley on December 5.
It is also his first in the FA Cup in Everton blue – and first at Goodison since October.
Ancelotti’s half-time advice was one of encouragement to kill the game as quickly as possible, judged by his side’s aggressive approach to the second half.
That approach was rewarded with a second goal in the 59th minute – Richarlison rising highest to flick Rodriguez’ corner into the far side netting.
And three minutes later came the third in identical circumstances. Rodriguez’ corner and this time fellow Colombian Yerry Mina found space to nod home.
Calvert-Lewin came close to a second and Everton’s fourth moments later after a cheeky chip over Wildsmith but for Ciaran Brennan’s pre-emptive goal-line clearance.

Brazil ace Richarlison rose highest to head home Everton’s secondCredit: Reuters

His work was done – subbed off soon after for an early shower ahead of a league clash with European rivals Leicester on Wednesday – as was Everton’s.
The fifth round awaits, with either Tottenham or Wycombe travelling to Goodison.
Whoever it is, the odds of Ancelotti taking his foot off the pedal for a long-awaited Wembley return are very slim indeed.

Yerry Mina added a third minutes laterCredit: Reuters More

MARCUS RASHFORD is set to have a scan on the knee injury that forced him off during the 3-2 win over Liverpool.
The England star played a key role in sending Manchester United into the FA Cup fifth round after bagging a goal and an assist against their bitter rivals at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford picked up an injury in Manchester United’s win over LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Rashford first played the pass of the match to set up Mason Greenwood for the Red Devils’ first before he slotted home their second.
But he sparked fears that he might be set for a spell on the sidelines after limping down the tunnel in the closing stages on Sunday.
Anthony Martial was sent on to replace Rashford and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he was unsure about the fitness of his star frontman.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

When quizzed whether Three Lions ace Rashford was ok, the United boss told BBC Sport: “Let’s hope so.
“His knee was bothering him. So a scan tomorrow and we’ll see where we are.”
On Rashford’s performance, Solskjaer added: “Marcus has played a little bit up front, down the right and down the left.
“We felt if we could switch the ball early today to either side, we could attack them, because Liverpool defend on the front foot and you’ve got to be quick on the ball. I thought we did that well.”

United ultimately gained the advantage over Liverpool after an end-to-end game and Solskjaer lauded his side’s overall performance.
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Rashford scored and set one up as Man Utd downed Liverpool in the FA CupCredit: EPA

He said: “We really played some good stuff in periods, good goals we scored, we know we have to defend well against them of course.
“And I thought we managed to react well. Towards the end there’s always some moments there but I thought we kept them away.”
United have now set up a fifth round tie against West Ham as they bid to better their semi-final run in the FA Cup last season.

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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER said this week he is reminded of himself when he sees Donny van de Beek.
How the Dutchman would have loved to make the kind of impact his manager made in this fixture 22 years ago to the day.

Donny van de Beek tussles with Liverpool’s James Milner as he again struggled to impose himself on a rare start for Man Utd Credit: EPA

Dutchman Donny van de Beek was once more overshadowed by United’s big guns, including their second scorer Marcus RashfordCredit: AFP

Back then, Solskjaer famously scored an injury-time winner over the old enemy Liverpool in a fourth-round FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.
Now he gave his summer signing the chance to write his name into United folklore by doing something similar.
But VDB will have to do more than he showed here if he is to emerge from a crowded pool of midfielders and get regular game time.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

During his playing days, the Norwegian got a reputation as a supersub often playing second fiddle to more illustrious stars – but popping up with some huge goals.
Van de Beek has had to do the same since arriving in Manchester last summer – although at just 23 he will not want to be settling for a place on the bench just yet.
Before Sunday’s 3-2 win, he had started just 10 matches in all competitions – coming on as a sub in 12 more.
That’s because in recent weeks, United’s midfield has been shining – with Bruno Fernandes the stand out player.

Solskjaer said this week: “He reminds me a lot about myself, when I first came in, that he understands my difficulties and challenges.
“We are doing well and have got players who are playing really well in his position.”
No matter how well he did here, he knew that the Portuguese talisman will be back in for the next game. The shirt is his for the time being.
The question is can Solskjaer find a way to accommodate them both on a regular basis?
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And don’t forget Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred have all had their moments in central positions in recent weeks.
It was a quiet start for Van de Beek as he got little of the ball and struggled to escape from the shadow of Thiago Alcantara.
He had a sight of goal after a clever pass by Marcus Rashford but squared the ball to nobody in particular.
The way he went over the leg of the onrushing Alisson did him no favours in the eyes of unimpressed Liverpool players.
Then he produced a super little flick to set Luke Shaw flying down the left but the England defender’s cross was pushed away by the keeper.
But there was not much more to say about the former Ajax man’s performance – other than he will benefit from getting minutes under his belt.

With the game poised at 2-2 midway through the second half, he was replaced by Fernandes as Solskjaer looked to nick the tie.
Van de Beek looked disappointed as he came off. His chance will come again – but he may have to be patient.
That much would have been clear when he watched on from the bench as the man who replaced him scored a trademark free-kick just over 10 minutes later.

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CROWN the new King of Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes has done it again.
His 78th minute free kick settled this FA Cup classic.

Bruno Fernandes sent Manchester United into the FA Cup fifth roundCredit: Reuters

The midfielder emerged from the bench to bend in the winnerCredit: Reuters

Next Saturday it will be a year to the day that he signed for Manchester United.
It should be forever knock as Bruno Day in the red half of the city.
He has been the catalyst for the re-emergence of Manchester United as a power.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

League leaders and now at home to West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
His goal was his 28th since moving from Sporting Lisbon.
No other player at a Premier League club has scored more.
While last Sunday’s league encounter was a drab goalless affair this was all action from the very first minute.

The biggest ever TV audience for a Premier League game was left to doze off, while this had everyone on the edge of their sofas with play constantly switching from end to end.
With five changes made by both managers from their midweek league games there was a freshness about both sides.
Greenwood came on for just the last minute last Sunday and while he started the win against Fulham he has suffered from a lack of game time and goals.

Marcus Rashford pounced on a defensive mistake to slot past AlissonCredit: Reuters

Just three all season and only one in the league.
He was clearly eager to make up for that from the off with two chances in the opening 13 minutes.
For the first he ran half the length of the filed before trying to beat Alisson from a tiht angle at the near post when a cross to Rashford would have been the better choice.
A point Cavani made to the teenager before setting him up for another darting run which ended with stepovers aplenty but a shot wide of the near post.
Cavani did not look over chuffed with that either as he stood in the centre of the Liverpool box.
All would soon be forgiven but not before Salah had given Liverpool an 18th minute lead
It was a great through ball from Roberto Firmino and Salah slid between Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof to reach it before clipping a great chip over the advancing Dean Henderson.
United responded with Greenwood getting the equaliser on 26 minutes.

Mohamed Salah had hauled Liverpool level from close-rangeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The Egyptian had ended Liverpool’s recent goal drought with a dinked effortCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Paul Pogba executed a superb tackle on the edge of his own area that allowed Donny van de Beek to release Marcus Rashford down the left flank.
He saw Greenwood’s run on the opposite side of the pitch and picked him out superbly.
Greenwood chested the ball forward, allowed it to bounce once before firing across Alisson into the far bottom corner.
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The bizarre screams of Andy Robertson failing to put him off.
The mark if a good striker if he has missed chances is not to get down but keeping searching for more and Greenwood is a very, very good goalscorer.
Rashford was absolutely flying too with endless runs down the left and from one he slipped Van de Beek in but Alisson was out sharply and his flicked square ball could not find a teammate.
Pogba was looking lively too as was Firmino and the second-half could not come quick enough.
What a start we had to it as well as Greenwood turned provider this time for the lightning fast Rashford to tear into the Liverpool box and calmly roll a side footed shot into the far corner.
You have never heard such a roar from so few as staff and squad members in the Sir Bobby Charlton stand celebrated the goal.
Soon the cries of the Liverpool contingent would echo round Old Trafford as they equalised in the 58th minute.

Mason Greenwood fired home the equaliser minutes laterCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The England starlet chested down a diagonal switch from RashfordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Cavani had a loose pass intercepted midway inside his own half and Liverpool worked the ball into the area with Firmino once again teeing up Salah who fired through Henderson’s legs in the middle of the goal.
It was Salah’s 19th goal of the season the joint most of any Premier League player in all comps alongside Harry Kane.
With Liverpool tails up Klopp sent on Mane to increase their attacking potency.
Solskjaer responded with Bruno Fernandes and Fred.
In the 67th minute Mane put Salah in but he was denied his hat-trick by a great save from Henderson.
Then just as Liverpool looked to have the edge United responded with the 78th minute winner.
Fernandes the hero again.
When Fabinho went through the back of Cavani on the edge of the area a free kick was awarded.
Up stepped Fernandes who curled a shot over Thiago, who had strangely decided to duck slightly, on the edge of the wall and just inside the far post.

Ole Solskjaer leapt from his seat and punched the air.
Cavani almost made it four when his thumpoing header came back off the post.
What a moment. What a game. More

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has stunned fans by unveiling a shocking bald look… but some are not convinced the striker has axed his famous top knot.
The AC Milan star has sported long hair for most of his career with his iconic ponytail becoming synonymous with his look in recent years.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic posted a photo showing a shaved headCredit: Instagram @iamzlatanibrahimovic

But fans are not convinced the AC Milan star has really got rid of his long hairCredit: AP:Associated Press

Ibrahimovic, 39, has netted 12 goals in just eight Serie A starts this season – with only Cristiano Ronaldo above him in the scoring charts.
Yet he drew a rare blank for the league leaders this weekend as they fell to a surprise 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta on Saturday.
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But the Swede still managed to grab the headlines by apparently unveiling a new hairdo on Instagram, alongside the caption: “All in.”

One fan tweeted: “Looking like Stone Cold Steve Austin, as if defenders weren’t scared before, now they’ll be terrified.”
Another said: “Serie A aint ready, bald Zlatan seems more dangerous.”
A third added: “Bald Zlatan looks like an extra from Game of Thrones.”
However, some suspicious fans noted that a mysterious smudge behind the ex-Manchester United striker’s head may have been the giveaway sign of some Photoshop shenanigans.

When Ibra is not sending fans wild on social media, he is busy helping Diogo Dalot settle in Italy.
The Portuguese full-back has recaptured his form on-loan in Milan after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.
And after missing out on the chance to play with Ibrahimovic during his two-year stint at the Red Devils, the 21-year-old has credited the Swedish international for bettering him.

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