FA Cup

ARSENAL fans are worried their on-loan goalkeeper has “lost the plot” after a calamitous mistake in the FA Cup.Arthur Okonkwo, 22, is spending this season on loan at Wrexham as Ben Foster’s replacement at the League Two club.
Arthur Okonkwo was caught in no man’s land for Blackburn’s second goalCredit: BBC
He was outside the area when Sam Gallagher shot towards goalCredit: AFP

And, after a brief return to Arsenal for jaw surgery in December, he started in between the sticks for the Welsh outfit in the FA Cup fourth-round clash away at Blackburn.
However, the young goalkeeper showed his inexperience with a nightmare moment in the first half at Ewood Park.
Wrexham had taken a shock early lead before Sam Szmodics’ equaliser just after the half-hour mark.
And then just two minutes later, Rovers were gifted the lead by Okonkwo.
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Sam Gallagher did well to flick the ball down the left channel and was in a race with a Wrexham defender to get to the ball first.
But Okonkwo rushed far out of his box and was beaten to the ball by Gallagher who simply rolled an easy finish past the helpless goalkeeper and into the unguarded net.
The BBC Sport commentator said: “Okonkwo again dithers and Gallagher punishes him.
“Two goals in two minutes and a night to forget for Arthur Okonkwo in goal for Wrexham.
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“It was easy for Gallagher, the goalkeeper made his mind up for him. It’s almost an open goal.”
To make things force for Okonkwo, he took a whack from his own defender trying to get back and cover for his blunder.
The co-commentator added: “Okonkwo has looked nervy, he’s looked casual.
“There’s absolutely no need for him to come out as early as he does. It’s not like he comes out and commits.”
And Gunners fans watched through their fingers at their England youth international stopper, who previously had loan spells with Crewe and SK Sturm Graz.
One tweeted: “Okonkwo has lost the plot.”
Another wrote: “What on Earth was Okonkwo doing? I mean just what????”
‘YIKES’
A third added: “Big fan of the kid, but that’s poor from Okonkwo, far too easy.”
A fourth replied: “What on Earth is Okonkwo doing there? He ends up OUTSIDE of the box come time for the shot. So even if he miraculously got a hand to it, he would have been off! A keeper that has been quality this season and has bags of potential, too. Yikes…”
And a final user brutally commented: “Arthur Okonkwo has lettuce hands. Goodnight.”
But other supporters tried to remain positive.
One said: “One bad game doesn’t define a player. Arthur Okonkwo is still a top keeper.”
Another responded: “The best keepers in the world have bad games. Okonkwo is a kid in goalkeeping terms. He’ll be better for making and learning from the mistakes. The guy is a class act.”
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Okonkwo’s evening got even worse when Szmodics made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time before Sondre Tronsade wrapped up the victory for Blackburn after the break – with Okonkwo coming out wearing a protective face mask for the second half.
Rovers will be at home again in round five as they welcome Newcastle to Ewood Park.
Gallagher’s goal turned the tie on its headCredit: BBC
Okonkwo did not get much support from his team-mates
The on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper wore a protective mask in the second halfCredit: Getty More

WREXHAM co-owner Rob McElhenney wrote an incredible sick note so a fan can watch Monday’s FA Cup clash against Blackburn.The actor has found his latest new role as a doctor to make sure one of the club’s supporters gets some much-needed time off work.
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney (R) wrote a sick note for a fan to watch Monday’s FA Cup clash against BlackburnCredit: Getty
Wrexham are just two wins from reaching the quarter-final in the FA Cup – matching their club record from 27-years-ago.
And McElhenney felt it was his duty to make sure one fan did not miss out on the game.
A Canadian fan account reached out to the 46-year-old to “provide a sick note” so he could tune into Wrexham’s FA Cup draw.
The It’s Always Sunny Philadelphia actor wrote a note that said: “To whom it may concern, @WrexhamCanada is hereby excused from work on Monday, January 29, 2024.
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“They have a weird cough or something. If that’s not enough of an excuse, let’s go with the flu.
“Wouldn’t you hate to catch it if they showed up to work in that condition?
“They are cleared to come back on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Oh, I think that happens to be the day after the Wrexham match. Weird timing. Best wishes, Dr. McElhenney.”
McEIhenney jokingly ended the note with: “Don’t Google my credentials, just trust me. I’m a real doctor.”
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Monday night’s FA Cup fourth-round clash is set to kick off at 7:30pm at Ewood Park.
But for the fan, if he or she lives in the bustling cities of Toronto or Montreal this would be 2:30pm.
However, if @WrexhamCanada lives further on the West Coast, like in Vancouver, the kick-off time will be even earlier for them. More

WOLVES players were shocked to see a photo of their team-mate Craig Dawson on the wall at bitter rivals West Brom.Yesterday’s Black Country derby saw the Premier League side win 2-0 in a match marred by crowd trouble.
Wolves players laughed as they saw a picture of Craig Dawson in a West Brom shitCredit: Reddit
Jose Sa stopped to take a picture of itCredit: Reddit
As Wolves players entered the Hawthorns ahead of kick-off, Matheus Cunha and Jose Sa were left in hysterics.
The Brazilian forward pointed out to the goalkeeper that there was a huge picture of Dawson on the tunnel wall.
Sa was left startled as he stopped to take a photo of it on his phone.
Fans found it hilarious, one said: “That’s going straight to the WhatsApp group.”
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Another added: “Just know Dawson is getting terrorised later by Sa.”
A third laughed: “Great s***housery.”
Wolves centre-back Dawson was on the other side of the rivalry from 2010 to 2019.
He played 225 times for the Baggies prior to his spells at Watford and West Ham.
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Fan violence
Wolves had not played West Brom in front of supporters since 2012 and a hostile atmosphere was expected at the Hawthorns.
Tempers flared throughout the game but it boiled over after Matheus Cunha made it 2-0 after 78 minutes, allegedly due to Wolves fans in the home end.
Fights kicked off in the corner of the West Stand and Birmingham Road, while objects were thrown in other areas of the ground.
Fans spilled onto the pitch and the police rushed over to the main incident.
Players remained on the pitch for some time with a handful of Baggies players helping their families sat nearby move away from the violence.
The referee eventually sent both teams into the dressing rooms before they reappeared to finish the game 38 minutes after the violence begun.
Police said six arrests were made and a man is in hospital with head injuries.
West Brom have vowed to work with cops and the FA to find the yobs and they said, “any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban”.
Wolves added: “Safety and security are of the utmost importance, and the behaviour of those involved is dangerous and inexcusable.
“We will be investigating these serious incidents and appropriate action will be taken.”
West Brom boss Carlos Coberan said: “Unfortunately the game was interrupted by this incident and now we are unable to talk about the atmosphere our fans created, we can’t talk about this aspect.
“Everything before the incident was unbelievable, between both clubs it was very special. Incidents like that we need to avoid.”
Wolves gaffer Gary O’Neil said: “Obviously it’s really disappointing. Anybody that wants to come to watch a football match should feel safe.
“Young children or elderly people could be in that area and we shouldn’t have to discuss incidents like this.
“They shouldn’t happen and I hope everyone’s safe and there are no serious injuries and there are no lasting effects.”

In an old gold shirt yesterday, Dawson put in a solid performance as Wolves kept a clean sheet in a feisty derby.
Gary O’Neil’s side will now play at home against Brighton in the fifth round.
Crowd trouble marred the Black Country derbyCredit: ITV
One fan was taken to hospital due to his injuriesCredit: Rex
Six arrests were madeCredit: REUTERS
Violence spilled onto the pitch with the players taken into the dressing roomCredit: ITV
Play was suspended for 38 minutesCredit: GETTY
Wolves won 2-0 to book their place in the fifth roundCredit: Rex More

MANCHESTER UNITED survived a scare to reach the FA Cup fifth round – thanks to Luke Shaw and Alejandro Garnacho.But Rasmus Hojlund was not at the races despite adding a late goal with a chance he could not miss.
Luke Shaw was Manchester United’s star performerCredit: Reuters
Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho impressed with the former getting on the scoresheetCredit: Getty
Rasmus Hojlund got on the scoresheet but his performance was substandardCredit: Reuters
Shaw and Garnacho provided the threat for United and they cut through Newport with ease, particularly in the opening stages.
Bruno Fernandes fired the Red Devils in front before Kobbie Mainoo made the game even more comfortable – with United threatening a thrashing after just 13 minutes.
Few would have predicted what was to come next as League Two Newport mounted a valiant comeback.
Bryn Morris’ long-range strike was deflected in before former dairy farmer Will Evans struck at the near post just after half-time to equalise.
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Erik ten Hag’s side have folded from such a position on more than one occasion this season but they regrouped and showed composure to get back on top.
Shaw was again the architect as he waltzed into the box before unleashing a curling effort with his weaker foot onto the post – fortunately for United Antony was on hand to gobble up the rebound.
The 12-time FA Cup winners added a fourth late on after Garnacho cleverly fed Mainoo through on goal, his effort was stopped but Hojlund followed up and slotted into an empty net.
Newport put up a valiant effort despite the differences in league position
Hojlund scored with his one shot – an open goal
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated United’s FA Cup display at Rodney Parade.
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Altay Bayındır – 5
The debutant could do nothing about County’s first goal as the ball was diverted beyond his reach by Martinez’s deflected header.
He could have been more aggressive in coming out to stop the second as he had no chance of stopping Evan’s strike once he made connection on the cross.
Showed what he is capable of as he leapt brilliantly to tip a late long-range effort over the bar.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Picked out Mainoo with a good cross for the midfielder to double United’s lead.
But he left acres of space on the left flank in the build-up to Newport’s equaliser and got nowhere near stopping the cross that led to the goal.
Raphael Varane – 4
Lost track of his runner Will Evans who beat him to the cross to steer in Newport’s equaliser.
Looked cumbersome at times and United’s backline looked weak and vulnerable.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Was slightly unfortunate to divert Bryn Morris’ long-range effort into the back of his own net.
He was not much better than his centre-back pairing but has spent a lot of time out injured recently.
Luke Shaw – 8
United’s left flank was devastating in the first half and he played a key role as his pass fed Antony who supplied Fernandes.
Linked well with Garnacho and it was his lovely right-footed curler which fell to Antony to score after the ball came back off the post.
Casemiro – 5
Showed some signs of rustiness after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off but his quality was also clear to see with some clever passes in midfield.
However he was slow in transition and afforded Newport’s attackers far too much time and space in the Red Devils half.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
Took his first professional goal with class as he turned home Dalot’s cross into the bottom corner with pinpoint accuracy.
Kept things ticking over in midfield but like Casemiro he allowed his opponents too much space at times.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Took his goal brilliantly as he drilled the ball low and hard beyond goalkeeper Nick Townsend – a chance many others would have skied over the bar.
Was effective on the break and linked well with Garnacho.
Antony – 6
Much livelier than he has been recently and made the most of his freedom to roam in the attacking final third.
Was in the right place at the right time to rebound Shaw’s effort into the back of the net.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
The youngster was electric in the first half and combined well with Fernandes and Antony in particular.
He came close to scoring when he smashed the crossbar from inside the box but was a little selfish at times and did not always pick the right pass.
Rasmus Hojlund – 4
Was barely involved but he did tee up Fernandes for a chance the captain should have buried not long after Newport equalised.
He had no shots at all until hitting United’s fourth late on, firing into an empty net.
Largely ineffective and will need to improve against Wolves on Thursday.
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Subs
Scott McTominay (for Casemiro, 82 mins) – 6
Provided energy late on to maintain pressure on Newport, resulting in the fourth goal.
Willy Kambala (for Shaw, 82 mins) – 6
Had little to do but will be pleased to get more minutes under his belt. More

JUGREN KLOPP fought back the tears as Anfield began its long goodbye to their manager.Then he pleaded with the Kop to forget about him and concentrate their emotions on the players.
Jurgen Klopp admits he struggled with his emotions at Anfield todayCredit: Twitter / EmiratesFACup
He was serenaded by the Kop ahead of the Norwich win as the long goodbye beganCredit: Twitter / EmiratesFACup

Klopp announced on Friday he was quitting Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years and got a rousing reception today before his side ran out 5-2 winners over Norwich City in the FA Cup.
Klopp said: “The atmosphere and people showing everything to me was wonderful, I loved it, great.
“I am not saying don’t do it anymore, people can do what they want but we need the atmosphere on the pitch.
“For that we need the crowd not to think about the manager.
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“We have to forget about it for a while and go for each opponent like crazy and the next chance to do that comes on Wednesday against Chelsea.”
Klopp, 56, did admit that he had to “pull himself together” after an outpouring of emotion from the stands that firstly saw him sit taking in the scene of the Kop belting out ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the game, with that followed by a rendition of ‘I’m so glad that Jurgen is a Red’.
He said: “It’s emotional but I have to pull myself together. I received all the messages. I’m not made of wood.”
While the manager wants it to be about the players it is clear the players want success this season to be for the manager.
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They are still in four competitions. They lead the Premier League, are in the final of the Carabao Cup and now have a home tie against either Watford or Southampton in the last eight of the FA Cup as well as the Europa League knockout stages to look forward to.
Liverpool’s fit again Andy Robertson said the players were in shock when Klopp announced his decision to quit at the end of the season and now they want to make sure he has a fitting send off.
And it was a tremendous way to start his farewell tour with a convincing thumping of Norwich.
Klopp said: “Norwich scored some wonderful goals and our goals were wonderful too. We played good from the beginning and obviously were in charge.
“I think four of our five goals were set up by players from the academy so that is cool, so there were a lot of positives about the game.”
Of those, Klopp made a special mention of Curtis Jones.
The 22-year-old has come through the ranks to establish himself as a first team player and opened the scoring with a well placed header.
Klopp said: “He is super important in different departments. He is a very good player and a role model for our academy players.
“All the players who come through the academy are good players. But if Curtis Jones can defend, everyone can learn defending and I mean with the high press and his intensity which sets the rhythm for us.” More