FA Cup

ROY KEANE branded Chelsea midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo “absolutely outstanding” after the pair pulled the strings against Aston Villa.And looking at their stats from last night’s FA Cup win, it’s easy to see why the hard-to-please Irishman was full of praise for the £222million superstars.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were hailed as ‘absolutely outstanding’ against Aston VillaCredit: Reuters
Roy Keane was full of praise for the Chelsea midfielders… and the stats prove he was rightCredit: Getty
Caicedo and Fernandez were on fire as a resurgent Chelsea battered Villa 3-1 to book their spot in the fifth round.
Caicedo finally stepped into the boots of predecessor N’Golo Kante as he held the line between midfield and defence.
While Fernandez’s non-stop passing and movement split Villa apart on multiple occasions and eased the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentina World Cup winner even got on the score sheet with a world-class free-kick, which was pinged into the top corner of Emi Martinez’s net.
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And legendary former Manchester United midfielder Keane produced a rare piece of praise for the duo.
He said: “Absolutely outstanding, the two of them dominated that midfield.
“They looked strong, they looked aggressive. Their passing was short, decision making was excellent.
“They looked strong, physical. Outstanding.”
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Looking at Fernandez and Caicedo’s stats, it becomes clear as to why Keane was singing their praises.
Both men’s heat maps make for impressive reading, with the duo clearly unafraid to huff and puff their way around the pitch.
Chelsea fans turn on each other as Mauricio Pochettino is booed while arriving at Villa Park

They have equally fine passing maps too, with Caicedo’s deep presence helping Chelsea build from the back and Fernandez being more influential in the final third.
Caicedo certainly put in the ground work as he formed a triangle with centre-backs Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
The Ecuador star made three tackles and recovered the ball twice while also drawing four fouls from frustrated opponents.
But Caicedo also showed off his technical side, making 58 passes and touching the ball 76 times while even having two shots on goal.

As for Fernandez, he enjoyed more freedom going forward despite also doing the dirty work.

He won the ball back four times while getting involved with two tackles.
Fernandez got on the ball 62 times and fired off 47 passes.
And one of his two shots did register as a goal, with Fernandez ripping off his shirt in delight as he celebrated with jubilant Chelsea fans.
Supporters were also full of praise for the duo on social media.
One said: “Finally Caicedo and Enzo PR. I used to pray for times like this.”
Another declared: “Outstanding performance from Caicedo and Enzo today.”
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One noted: “They dropped a masterclass. More to come.”
Another added: “Enzo and Caicedo cooked.” More

CHELSEA fans loved Conor Gallagher’s “priceless” reaction to Enzo Fernandez’s stunning free-kick against Aston Villa.The Blues produced a much-improved display to beat Unai Emery’s side 3-1 away from home.
Conor Gallagher watched Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick fly in
The midfielder turned in complete amazement
Gallagher’s mouth was wide open with shock
Mauricio Pochettino’s men booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round courtesy of goals by Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Fernandez.
The Blues’ third strike came via a sumptuous free-kick.
Villa stars contested the awarding of the set piece, believing that little contact had actually been made on Fernandez.
Nevertheless, the Argentine dusted himself down and produced a moment of stunning quality.
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The 23-year-old curled the ball right into the top corner, wheeling away with his shirt off in a flash to celebrate.
From the reverse replay of the free-kick, fans spotted Gallagher’s stunned response.
The midfielder, 24, had been stood by the Aston Villa wall, making a nuisance of himself.
When the ball hit the back of the net he turned towards Fernandez with his mouth agape in complete wonder.
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Spotting his response, one fan wrote on social media: “Conor Gallagher’s reaction to Enzo’s freekick is priceless!”
While a second gushed: “Absolutely love this!!!”
Chelsea boss Pochettino gives touchy response as he’s asked whether he dropped Thiago Silva following wife’s rant
A third swooned: “Man was in awe.”
And a fourth admitted: “That’s my reaction too.”
Another added: “Gallagher was class today as well.”
Under-fire Pochettino was thrilled with his side’s display.
Asked by ITV if it that was his side’s best performance of the season, the 51-year-old said: “‘I think so.
“We were talking in the dressing room about the feelings with the players. One of the best, maybe the best performance of the season.
“it has arrived in a very good moment for us and I’m so happy with the performance.
“The way we played pleased me the most. We are a young team and you know always it’s about being solid and consistent and that is the most difficult thing in a young team.”
Pochettino then urged his side to emulate pundit Roy Keane, who was at the game for ITV.
He added: “We are a young team and Roy, you know very well that it’s about being solid and consistent and that’s the most difficult thing in a young team.
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“We need a bigger mentality, sometimes the mentality of this guy [points at Keane], but it’s about finding a balance.
“For me I am so optimistic, I know at a club like Chelsea people aren’t patient and they don’t want to know about the circumstances but the reality is another thing, we’re not the Chelsea that was competing in a different time.” More

TAIWO AWONIYI held his nerve to squeeze home the winning penalty as Forest edged out the Robins in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.But it was Matt Turner who was the star-spangled stopper who came to his side’s rescue to set up a fifth-round visit from Manchester United.
Matt Turner makes his decisive shootout save from Sam BellCredit: Getty
Under-pressure keeper Turner was Forest’s saviourCredit: Rex
Taiwo Awoniyi celebrates with fellow shootout hero Matt TurnerCredit: Getty
Bristol City’s gutted players react to defeatCredit: Getty
The USA star’s stunning spot-kick save from Sam Bell was enough for Forest to come out on top as he dived to his left to push the ball to safety.
It was a timely reminder to boss Nuno Espirito Santo about Turner’s quality after he signed Belgian keeper Matz Sels from Salzburg during the January transfer window.
Having knocked out West Ham in the third round, the Robins were attempting to eliminate more than one top-flight team for the first time in more than a century.
However, their chances of creating history suffered an early blow as Forest sped in front.
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Santo’s men were on it from the start and skipper Morgan Gibbs-White brought out the best in City No1 Max O’Leary with a rocket of a shot that was saved low to his right.
Anthony Elanga then had an effort deflected over for a corner which the visitors failed to defend.
Gibbs-White delivered a laser-sharp cross which Felipe rose to head goalwards and the ball appeared to deflect off Divock Origi at the front post to leave O’Leary helpless.
Felipe’s acrobatic front flip suggested the defender thought he had scored but it was Origi who took the credit – following a VAR handball check – for his helpful nudge of the ball over the line.
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It was Origi’s first Forest goal and ironically he wouldn’t have been around to score it if Chris Wood hadn’t tweaked his hamstring against Arsenal.
Forest were on the brink of flogging the former Liverpool striker to the MLS where a few clubs, led by Los Angeles FC were ready to take him off their hands.
Smirking Roy Keane in very cheeky four-word dig at Jamie Carragher on live TV after Chelsea’s FA Cup win
But fate had handed the 28-year-old Belgian a second chance and he made the most of it.
However, Forest have been particularly flaky this season and they failed to press home their advantage.
Undeterred by the loss of that early goal, City hit back six minutes later.
Former Leicester midfielder Andy King was given way too much time and space by Forest’s retreating back three and let fly from 25 yards.
Turner threw himself across to his left and managed to fingertip the ball which flew off both posts.
However Forest’s reprieve was short-lived as Bell pounced on the loose ball and squared for Jason Knight to steer the ball home from seven yards.
It was a particularly sweet moment for the former Derby County favourite to score at the home of his former bitter rivals.
He almost doubled his tally with a snapshot which was deflected for a corner before Turner pushed away an Anis Mehmet effort.
Divock Origi scrambled Nottingham Forest into an eighth-minute leadCredit: Rex
Turner couldn’t keep out City’s equaliser from Jason KnightCredit: Rex
Forest seemed happy to make it to half-time on level terms and continued to make heavy weather of dealing with their Championship opponents after the break.
Robins’ head coach Liam Manning made a triple substitution on the hour with Matty James, Harry Cornick and George Tanner replacing King, goalscorer Knight and Haydon Roberts.
And Forest fans were soon given a rare chance to cheer as Nuno sent on cult hero Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi for Cheikhou Kouyate and Elanga a few minutes later.
Suddenly Forest had some purpose to their play and Origi flashed a 25 yarder wide after Awoniyi set him up.
Gibbs-White and Montiel also tried their luck from long-range with no success as Forest pinned City back.
At least sub Nuno Tavares hit the target with a rifled volley which O’Leary beat away before Neco Williams flashed a shot inches wide as the tie spilled into extra-time.
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Mehmeti and Bell had attempts saved by Turner as the Robins rallied and Nahki Wells was blocked on the line by Moussa Niakhate as he tried to force home Bell’s low cross.
But when Cornick flashed a last-gasp shot wide the tie was destined to be decided by penalties – with the second-tier side losing out. More