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    Man Utd vs Liverpool – FA Cup LIVE SCORE: Scott McTominay gives Red Devils lead inside ten minutes – updates

    MANCHESTER UNITED are hosting fierce rivals Liverpool in a huge FA Cup quarter-final clash NOW.Erik ten Hag’s side will be hoping to progress to the semi-finals of the iconic competition for the second consecutive campaign for the first time since 2003-04/2004-05.The FA Cup is Man Utd’s final chance of winning a trophy this season following an underwhelming campaign domestically and in Europe.Meanwhile, Liverpool are on course to achieve a stunning quadruple this season after already claiming the Carabao Cup in February.
    Kick off time: 3.30pm GMT
    TV channel: ITV1
    FREE live stream: ITVX
    Man Utd team: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Dalot, Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund.
    Liverpool team: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister, Salah, Diaz, Nunez.
    Explainer: When is the FA Cup semi-final draw?
    BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERGOOOOOO-NO!!
    Endo puts the ball into the net but the offside flag is up!
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    36′ Chances at both ends in a matter of seconds!
    First, Mainoo does superbly to let Rashford break into the box on the left and has the presence of mind to pick out McTominay 12 yards out who cushions a shot straight at Kelleher.
    Liverpool break down the other end and Diaz does incredibly well to get into the box.
    His shot at the near post is pushed away by Onana.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    34′ United clear easily again.

    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    33′ Dalot looks to have been beaten by Diaz down his side as the Liverpool winger darts towards the byline.
    But the defender gets back well to stop the cross going in, at the expense of a corner.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    31′ Alexis Mac Allister is booked for stopping a United attack.
    From the deep free kick, a cross into the Liverpool box from Fernandes sees Varane and Lindelof get in each other’s way and the former’s header loops into the hands of Kelleher.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    30′ Good move from Liverpool and Mac Allister picks out Robertson on a forward run down the left.
    He whips a great ball in with three white and green shirts attacking it but Varane heads clear.
    It falls for Szoboszlai on the edge but his effort is easily saved by Onana.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    27′ Big chance for United to make it two!
    Hojlund and Garnacho link up before the former is played in, inside the area on the left hand side but he SLIPS at the worst possible time and balloons the ball well wide!
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    26′ Chance for Liverpool here with their first corner of the afternoon.
    But United deal with it comfortably.

    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    23′ Good pace and whip on the cross from Fernandes, but it lands on the roof of the net.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    22′ Joe Gomez with a stupid foul on Bruno Fernandes wide on the United left.
    A free kick in a dangerous position for the home side which the Portuguese will take.
    It’s ten yards inside from the corner flag.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    18′ Robertson’s deep cross from the left misses everyone in the middle.
    Szoboszlai collects and lays it off for Gomez at the edge of the box, who shoots like a defender. Miles over.
    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Luis Diaz of Liverpool is fouled by Scott McTominay of Manchester United during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on March 17, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    17′ Garnacho is fouled on the right, just inside the Liverpool half.
    Fernandes takes and it’s a deep ball into the box which does look like one that could be attacked but nobody follows in to do so.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    15′ Good counter attack from Liverpool.
    Robertson plays Diaz in down the left, who has the presence of mind to roll it back into the path of the left back, 15 yards from goal but he blazes well over.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    14′ It actually hit the hand of the Scotland skipper….
    But it was breaking his fall so no penalty.
    And nothing comes of the corner.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    13′ Nearly a second for United.
    It’s Garnacho again, played in down the right this time and looks to have a free shot at goal but for a sensational, sliding block from Robertson to divert it behind.

    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 1-0 Liverpool
    11′ A frantic start and the home side are in front!
    It all comes from a quickly taken free kick inside their own half with Rashford bursting down the left.
    After good hold-up play, he slips a pass into Garnacho inside the area who has his placed effort saved by Kelleher but only palmed into a dangerous area.
    McTominay was first to react, following in and stabbing it home from a few yards out.
    Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!
    UNITED LEAD AND IT’S SCOTT MCTOMINAY!
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-0 Liverpool
    9′ ALMOST A SENSATIONAL OPENER!
    Nunez drops out wide on the left and sends a long diagonal into the box for Salah.
    It drops over Dalot’s head and the Egyptian hits a first time volley beyond Onana but an inch or so wide of the far post.
    Incredible technique and so, so close.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-0 Liverpool
    7′ Szoboszlai gets played in down the right channel and fires a teasing ball across United’s goal.
    Varane intercepts at the front post before the striker is penalised for a foul as United cleared.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-0 Liverpool
    5′ Szoboszlai has an attempt at goal from 22 yards with his weak foot but it’s an easy stop for Onana.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-0 Liverpool
    4′ CLOSE!
    It’s United again but this time it’s worked down the right and Garnacho gets his first involvement.
    They’re expecting a cross into the area but he instead picks Rashford out just inside the area on the left hand side, who opts for a first time placed finish which Kelleher palms away from danger.
    Great start from United.

    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-0 Liverpool
    2′ Oh a good chance for the hosts!
    They work it well down the left and a ball cut back towards McTominay on the edge sees Wan-Bissaka on the stretch attempt an effort at goal.
    It’s a poor one and Kelleher collects easily.
    Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-0 Liverpool
    1′ Already I’m wrong about something.
    Although this is surely a little surprising, with Diogo Dalot operating at right back and Wan-Bissaka at left back.
    He’ll look to stop Mo Salah.
    Copy linkCopiedKICK OFF
    Bruno Fernandes gets this game up and running.
    Sensational atmosphere, it really is.
    Copy linkCopiedHuddled
    The Liverpool players gather in a pre-match huddle with an animated Virgil van Dijk leading it.
    United will get us underway.
    Copy linkCopied More

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    West Ham 1 Aston Villa 1: Furious David Moyes confronts referee after Hammers denied 96th minute winner by VAR

    DAVID MOYES confronted the referee after West Ham were denied a 96th minute winner against Aston Villa by VAR.The London side looked to have snatched all three points at home but were denied by a controversial call.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.Relive all the action with our live blog… More

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    Chelsea 4 Leicester 2: Blues leave it late to book place in FA Cup semi-final after horror own-goal and Foxes red card

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO booked Chelsea a dramatic return trip to Wembley exactly three weeks after the last one in a thrilling battle.But forget the magic of the FA Cup – the smell of bitterness and frustration overpowered any scent of romance.Chelsea booked passage into the FA Cup semi-final with a late flourish against LeicesterCredit: GettyChelsea had most of the match possession and shotsChelsea dominated much of the gamePochettino’s team finally overcame a ten man team from the Championship thanks to a stylish winner from sub Carney Chukwuemeka two minutes into added time and a stunner from Noni Madueke in the dying seconds to wrap it up.But the booing and cries of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ during a tortuous tie tainted the feeling of triumph.Chelsea blew a 2-0 lead which was bad enough. But Rahem Sterling was subjected to jeering and chants of ‘get him off’ as the winger endured a nightmare game which spilled over into resentment aimed at boss Pochettino.Sterling missed a penalty after relieving regular spot kick taker Cole Palmer in the first half following deep discussions.He had earlier missed a cracking chance to score. And when he put a free kick on the edge of the box high into the top tier of Stamford Bridge’s Matthew Harding Stand, enough was enough.The fans turned and booed him and the manager as the last chance of a trophy this season and qualifying for Europe under their own steam seemed to be disappearing fast.When Sterling was finally taken off to be replaced by goalscorer Madueke, there was even more negativity aimed at one of Chelsea’s most senior players.Ultimately, Pochettino’s team is now into the FA Cup semi finals and the last Championship team is out in game Leicester.Cole Palmer was a star of the show with a goal and assistCredit: ReutersCole Palmer put in a Man of the Match displayBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey are two wins from silverware and the Europa League next season instead of relying on coefficients through the Premier League’s European teams this term.Marc Cucurella gave them the perfect start with a goal after 13 minutes. It was his first for the club and it should have been the platform for the Premier League side to settle.Chelsea’s plans for £1bn new stadiumWhen Sterling was brutally upended in the box by clumsy Leicester winger Abdul Fatawu 12 minutes later the chance was there to put the tie to bed long from the penalty spot before half time.But Sterling’s determination to prove himself was his undoing and the lame shot at Jakub Stolarczyk gave City and their noisy 5,000 fans belief.At two up, Disasi struck six minutes into the second halfUnder pressure from Patson Daka but seemingly out of harm’s way on Chelsea’s right flank, centre half Axel Disasi turned to hit a pass back to keeper Robert Sanchez.The chip was overhit and miscued while Sanchez was a long way off his line and watched helplessly as the punt intended for him sailed into his empty net for a cracking own goal.Neither Chelsea player coated themselves in glory and of course it rattled the nerves. And as Sterling’s day deteriorated, so did Chelsea’s.Raheem Sterling did not have his finest day in front of goal for Chelsea as he missed a pen, a glaring one-on-one and ballooned a free-kick miles wideCredit: APSterling was wasteful in front of goalAt least this time it was a moment of magic that ignited this Cup tie.Stephy Mavididi shimmied into the box with a double stepover to bamboozle Malo Gusto before curling a delightful curling shot into the far corner to equalise.Chelsea were on the ropes and flung everything forwards and Nicolas Jackson was tripped running into the box by Callum Doyle. VAR spotted it outside of the box – just but Doyle’s booking was upgraded to a red card.City hung on as best they could but eventually the numerical advantage and fresh legs made the difference.Chukwuemeka’s one two with Palmer put Chelsea ahead two minutes into added time. And fellow Chelsea sub Noni Madueke chipped a spectacular shot over keeper Stolaczyk with seconds remaining.Remind yourself how the game went with our live blog below.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER More

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    Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali LIVE RESULTS: Juggernaut secures stoppage WIN with a huge KO blow in final 18 seconds

    JOE JOYCE has revived his career in Birmingham against heavyweight Kash Ali with a huge knockout blow in the final round.The Juggernaut hadn’t stepped foot in the ring since suffering consecutive defeats to Zhilei Zhang in 2023.But Joyce made his return the best way he could, leaving Kash Ali out for the count.
    RESULT: Joe Joyce beats Kash Ali
    Stream: discovery+
    TV channel: TNT Sports 1
    BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWas a Joyce to watch
    Joe Joyce left it late but he got the job done and that’s all that matters
    Credit: Getty
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R10
    JOYCE GETS A STOPPAGE WIN WITH 18 SECONDS TO GO!
    Juggernaut will be happy to finally put those double Zhang defeats behind him.
    And he’ll be delighted to have done it with a KO blow!
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R9
    Joe Joyce continues to pile on the pressure in round nine as we have now seen a bit of blood in the ring.
    Juggernaut senses the victory while Kash Ali is literally holding on.
    Lets see if Joyce can get the big shot in the final round!
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R8
    Juggernaut is picking up momentum and pushing Ali into all four corners of the ring.
    Joyce is sensing that Ali is slowly beginning to drop his guard and that is what helped him land a few more punches in round 8.
    Two more rounds to go!
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R7
    BIG ROUND FOR JOYCE!
    Juggernaut hit a big upper body shot on Ali in what has been the best round of the match so far.
    Three left to go!
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R6
    It’s quite a snore fest in truth at this point – neither boxer really going for it.
    Joyce is trying to throw more punches but nothing is sticking.
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R5
    Another lacklustre round has gone by and its not pretty, but Joyce is getting the job done.
    It’s all about the win for the Juggernaut after losing consecutive fights to Zhang.
    But he’ll be determined to land a big right hand and convincingly beat the man who bit David Price.
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R4
    It’s all Joyce but in all honesty, the Juggernaut has not had to do much.
    You can probably count on one hand the amount of punches Ali has thrown in round four.
    Joyce can afford to keep doing what he’s doing and he’ll win on points.
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R3
    That’s better from Joyce!
    Juggernaut has finally landed some clean right hooks on Ali forcing Ali to run around the ring.
    But if it carries on, this one is going all the way to the bitter end unless a KO comes out of nowhere.
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R2
    Round two has been similar to the first round with both boxers saving fuel in the tank for later on.
    Once again Joyce tried to connect some punches, but it’s just not happening at the moment.
    Cautious is how I would describe this one.
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R1
    Both boxers are just feeling each other out – not going all guns blazing early doors.
    Joyce has thrown a few wayward punches that have failed to connect.
    While Ali is being tentative and not really letting his hands go just yet.
    Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Ali R1
    HERE WE GO!
    Joe Joyce looks to revive his career in Birmingham against Kash Ali.
    And the crowd are pumped for this huge British brawl.
    Copy linkCopiedParker wins UD
    Dull affair as Zeuge only turned up for a payday.
    Parker was down early but Zeuge never seemed bothered after that.
    The judges called it: 96-94, 97-92 and 98-91.
    Don’t rush back Zeuge.
    Copy linkCopiedParker vs Zeuge R10
    Parker seems to have suffered an injury to his ankle or knee, he is wobbly but very close to victory.
    Errol Johnson tells Parker to box smart and get to the scorecards.
    Zeuge is slinging the kitchen sink at the Derby fan.
    But Parker is wisely jabbing and holding until the final bell secures him a win
    Copy linkCopied

    Parker vs Zeuge R9
    Parker lands a rifle of a right hand but Zeuge is a brickwall of a man.
    It must be 8-1 now and the ref asks for no roughhouse tactics in the last couple after Zeuge complains.
    This is Zeuge’s first fight out of Germany and he will be keen to get back after this showing.
    Another Parker right hand scores but Zeuge is rock solid.
    Copy linkCopiedParker vs Zeuge R7
    “He’s f***ed now”, Parker’s trainer Errol Johnson says about Zeuge.
    Assistant Paul Mann orders their charge to get the job over with.
    Zeuge is only throwing the odd haymaker, his only hope is a hail Mary shot.
    Parker should have the ability and power to punish that.
    Copy linkCopiedParker vs Zeuge R6
    Zeuge never stops giggling, despite Parker hitting him all different ways.
    On this form, Parker should be wrapping this up inside the distance.
    Zeuge is a glutton for punishment and Parker should take advantage – without getting greedy.
    Copy linkCopiedParker vs Zeuge R4
    Zeuge is one paced and head hunting.
    Parker is fresher and faster and banking rounds.
    Body shots might be the way to break Zeuge down as he looks tough as old boots.
    He also laughs and smiles through a lot of the action – oddball.
    Copy linkCopiedParker vs Zeuge R3
    Right hooks unravel Parker and leave him with a 10-8 round lost.
    The Brit made a solid start but got clipped on the chin and staggered.
    Better southpaw work from Parker, lead hooks to the body and riund banked by the Derby man.
    Copy linkCopiedParker down R2
    Parker rocked badly.
    A whipped right hand stuns him and stiffens his legs.
    Zeuge steams in and smothers and then a clubbing blow around the head forces him to take a knee and count.
    Copy linkCopiedParker vs Zeuge R1
    Derby super-middle Parker rebuilding after a 2022 loss to John Ryder.
    Switching stances and pinging out a fearsome jab, the Brit takes the opener.
    But Zeuge will ask him questions later on.
    Copy linkCopiedMcCann wins UD
    The ringside judges call it: 118-111, 116-111 and 116-112,
    McCann gets his hand raised and the Lonsdale belt.
    Dominant performance from the 23-year-pld prospect.
    Copy linkCopiedMcCann vs Strand R12
    Glad that’s over.
    Too one sided and McCann seemed to lose interest in the end.
    Strand waited too long to let his hands go and his face was already a warzone by the time he got going.
    McCann will shortly be crowned the new British super-bantam champ.
    Copy linkCopiedMcCann vs Strand R11
    Strand finally wins a round with a flurry at the end.
    Three shots rapidly fired and landed.
    But McCann just shakes them off and returns to his corner for a break.
    A bit of complacency from the runaway leader.
    Copy linkCopiedMcCann vs Strand R10
    Strand lands a few punches but McCann never winces.
    Strand’s corner tells him not to blow his nose and that usually means he has a fracture on the hooter or a cheekbone.
    McCann is on the home straight, a walk in the park to pick-up the Lonsdale belt.
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    Fulham 3 Tottenham 0: Muniz scores either side of Lukic to stun London rivals and rock charge for Champions League place

    THE curious case of Armando Broja makes sense when you see Rodrigo Muniz play like this.And the Brazilian’s stellar performance must surely have extinguished Ange Postecoglou’s hitherto baffling belief that Spurs are still in the title race.Fulham rant rampant against a below-par TottenhamCredit: AFPRodrigo Muniz got himself on the scoresheet twiceCredit: GettySasa Lukic also got in on the act to dent Spurs’ Champions League hopesCredit: RexCaptain Son Heung-min was powerless as Spurs fell to defeatCredit: GettyMuniz had the beating of Tottenham debutant Radu Dragusin throughout and grabbed a lovely opener three minutes before the break.Four minutes after the interval, Sasa Lukic’s flukey finish made it 2-0.Muniz’s poacher’s strike just after the hour KO’d Tottenham and any remote hope they had of gate-crashing their way to the Prem crown.He came off shortly after, having been kicked by Dragusin in netting his second, to a standing ovation which included Hollywood actor Hugh Grant.Muniz’s emergence in the last few months has been an intriguing story of its own.And one that has come at the cost of Chelsea loanee Broja, who was not even on the bench here.Marco Silva said it was for “tactical” reasons but it still came as a surprise.Not least to the player himself, as SunSport understands, as there had been no issue in training.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLeaving Broja out means Fulham will have to pay his parent club £4million – an agreed amount if he did not make ten starts during the temporary switch, which he now cannot do.It was not a great day personally for him but an even worse one for Spurs, who are 11 points off top having now played as many games as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanPostecoglou’s men looked a shadow of the side that trounced Aston Villa 4-0 last week.That big win had seen them lose key defender Micky van de Ven to injury.And though the Dutchman is expected to be back after the international break, they sure missed him here as Dragusin struggled on his full debut.Spurs’ £25million summer buy from Genoa had plenty of the ball early doors.But when it came to the 50-50 battles – supposedly one of his biggest strengths – with Muniz, there was only one winner.The confidence flowing through Fulham’s centre-forward after five goals in six games was clear for all to see, as he pulled off audacious flicks and won aerial duels throughout.Spurs had more possession but were not effective with itFulham made their periods of domination countAnge Postecoglou will have food for thought as Spurs gave Man Utd the chance to close the gapCredit: GettyMeanwhile, Marco Silva will be happy to see the Cottagers close in on the top halfCredit: ReutersGuglielmo Vicario was forced into action to deny Lukic at close range, minutes after another wonderful Cristian Romero block had repelled Andreas Pereira with the goal at his mercy.Dragusin looked to have got away with one when he caught Muniz as the former Flamengo man tried to burst clear, but ref Robert Jones was unmoved.Muniz was inches away from turning home a cutback from Antonee Robinson but somehow could not make a connection.Spurs rode their luck on that occasion, as they did soon after when Willian, at the ripe old age of 35, raced down the pitch and fed Alex Iwobi, but Vicario again came to the rescue.Dragusin may have been being given a torrid time at the back by Muniz, but he suddenly was presented with a great chance to open the scoring when he was played through by Romero’s header.Yet the 22-year-old was caught between having a shot or cutting it back and eventually his effort, which looked to be more of a pass, rolled across goal and out of play.Not being an attacker, he could be forgiven. But James Maddison will know he should have done better when Destiny Udogie laid it back to him and he could only find the side-netting.Muniz was devastatingly clinical against SpursMuniz made the most of the open space he was given by SpursCredit: ReutersSpurs were too easy to play through without Micky van de Ven marshalling the defenceCredit: ReutersWith three minutes to go to the break, Muniz had the goal his performance deserved.Once again it was through a link-up with rampaging left-back Robinson, who fired a first-time delivery from out wide.Muniz had managed to drift off Dragusin and his first touch was sublime, trapping the fizzing ball, and his second true as he fired across Vicario and into the back of the net.Fulham quickly doubled their lead after the break when Lukic turned home a Timothy Castagne cross with his knee.Film star Grant and his fellow spectators were in dreamland on 61 minutes when Calvin Bassey shot deflected off the post, allowing Muniz to nip in front of Dragusin and stab home.Spurs being Spurs, at least under their attacking Aussie boss, they still had good chances to score but Brennan Johnson and sub Timo Werner missed sitters.It left Postecoglou with much to ponder as he considers how to win the battle that his team are genuinely in – that of the race for fourth with Villa.Meanwhile Muniz’s seventh goal in as many games had the home fans dreaming of a late European push.It will have been tough to take, but Broja could have no complaints given he was losing out to arguably the Premier League’s most in-form striker right now.Remind yourself how the game went with our live blog below.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER More

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    Man City 2 Newcastle 0: City edge closer to double treble dream as they dump Toon out of FA Cup to reach semi-final

    BERNARDO SILVA’S double kept them dreaming of the treble…even if Pep Guardiola refuses to entertain the idea for another few weeks.The Manchester City gaffer insists he won’t even consider the prospect of repeating last term’s triple triumph until the last fortnight or so of the season.Man City booked their place in the FA Cup semis with a 2-0 win against NewcastleCredit: APBernardo Silva bagged both goals at the EtihadCredit: GettyWell, if all City’s opponents between now and then roll over as meekly as the Toon did here, it’s going to be another finale to remember for the Spaniard.Let’s face it, it’s hard enough to get a result at this place at the best of times. When you’re dangling a leg, nodding a head and sticking the ball in the net for them, it becomes impossible.That’s what happened last night, though, as twice Bernardo took aim with first half strikes, and twice his efforts were heading for goal.Whether either would have ended up there? You’d have to say that was highly debatable. Let’s just say they weren’t exactly palm-stingers.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet on both occasions they found a way past keeper Martin Dubravka thanks to a lazy leg, and a craned, ill-placed flick of the neck muscles.First up it was Dan Burn on 13 minutes, turning his body sideways and stretching his right leg backwards in an almost languid attempt to block as Silva cut inside and shot.The ball flicked the back of his leg, looped over Dubravka in an agonising, almost apologetic arc, and City were a goal up.Given the lack of anything but the faintest flicker of a Geordie threat, essentially we could have all packed up and gone home there and then.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThere was never any serious danger of anything other than a sky blue stroll into the last eight.But if there were any doubters, even they were convinced 13 minutes before the break when Bernardo cocked the trigger once again….and Newcastle pulled it for him.The Premier League’s Top 10 sexiest managers according to AIIn many ways it was a replica of the first, save for Ruben Dias shuffling the ball right to his Portuguese pal, rather than Rodri.Once more Bernardo stepped back inside, once more he left rip with a shot that was directed, rather than dynamic.And once more a Toon defender – this time Sven Bottman, craning his neck to make contact – changed its goalbound course.It was hardly a deflection which left Dubravjka flat-footed, given the ball ended up going beneath the flying keeper’s legs.If you were being cruel – okay, let’s be cruel – there was a decent case for thinking the Slovakian stopper could have made a better fist of keeping it out.Silva opened the scoring after 13 minutesCredit: GettyThe Portuguese added his second in the 31st minuteCredit: GettyNo matter, it was two down, and too big a mountain. Mind you, one goal had looked like Everest.And in truth, Newcastle never really came close to even reaching base camp, let alone anywhere near the summit.Let’s not forget, by the way, that losing here effectively brought the curtain down on their season.One which began with hopes of a Champions League adventure and is stumbling towards a conclusion with them in tenth place and heading for the Europa Conference at best.Not exactly what they had in mind when those Sheikh, rattle and rollers turned the place into Geordie Arabia, eh?City were all smiles at the final whistleCredit: ReutersPep Guardiola has edged a step closer to retaining the TrebleCredit: APAnd the worrying thing for boss Eddie Howe is the way they bid such a limp and lame farewell to the FA Cup here.Okay, City had 80 per cent of possession, yet there was just a lack of intensity and jeopardy. Magic of the Cup? In the main this was about as high octane as a pre-season game.Occasionally City would inject a bit of energy and electricity into it. Like Jeremy Doku’s run and sidefoot which had Dubravka leaping to push his shot behind.To be honest, there were times when the lightning Doku was racing at Jamal Lascelles when it was almost cruel.Although the centre back’s hook-around-the-neck to stop him on one occasion was worthy of a Six Nations sin binning, rather than the yellow card it brought.It was another miserable night for Toon and Eddie HoweCredit: EPAAnthony Gordon was unable to impact the game after his England nodCredit: AFPBut back to the sights of goal, and Erling Haaland had another, whipping an effort a coat of paint wide, while a Josko Gvardiol rocket was deflected and this one went in Newcastle’s favour.There was even, believe it or not, a moment of raised pulses in the sky blue backline when Alexandar Isak fired in a point blank snapshot that surely had to give them hope.Well no, actually, because Stefan Ortega – deputising for Ederson after his self-inflicted Anfield injury a week ago – got down with an impressively strong left hand to beat it away.Howe finally made  a mass four-strong substitution in an effort to inject some life into his battered battalion. It brought a little more energy, but no nearer to an end product.READ MORE SUN STORIESIndeed, the closest we got to another goal came when Haaland bulldozed his way into the box, but this time Bottman deflected his shot over the bar.All pretty routine, all pretty humdrum and – worryingly for Newcastle this season – all too familiar. More

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    Luton vs Nottingham Forest LIVE SCORE: Premier League updates as Hatters look to put Bournemouth collapse behind them

    LUTON host Nottingham Forest in a Saturday Premier League clash – and the Hatters will be wishing for a better result than Wednesday.Rob Edwards’ side somehow threw away a THREE goal lead before losing 4-3 to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.However, Forest will also be licking their wounds as they marginally lost 1-0 to Brighton last time out.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER More