by McConnell looks the part first
Eight of the 20-man squad selected by Jürgen Klopp against Norwich were graduates of Liverpool’s academy. One of those, James McConnell, was making his first start for the senior team. The 19-year-old from Newcastle lined up in front of the defence, sitting behind Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch. As he progressed through the academy, having joined under-15s from Sunderland, McConnell became a more attacking midfielder and his eye for an assist was evident when he spotted Jones in space at the back post and He chipped in the perfect cross for his teammate to head home. opener. Like Alexis McAllister, McConnell is not a traditional 6 in the defensive midfielder role but Klopp gives his players plenty of freedom. The German booked McConnell for the role in pre-season and is living up to his manager’s expectations. There is plenty of competition in midfield but McConnell showed against Championship quality opposition that he can more than hold his own in men’s football. Will Unwin
United’s season continues
Farmer turned footballer and Manchester United supporter Will Evans gets his toes on the ball to make it 2-2 and send Rodney Parade wild. His manager, Graham Coughlan, another fan of the United youngster, is keeping it together at the moment but is certainly considering a possible trip to Old Trafford for the play-offs. Not far away, Erik ten Hag’s internal monologue is probably worse. Is this how it’s all going down, embarrassingly against League Two’s Newport County? In the end, the night wasn’t so bad for the visitors in south Wales: Kobbie Mainoo scored his first senior goal, Antony’s right foot provided a crucial touch, Rasmus Højlund has three from four – even without a great serve – and United still have a trophy to fight for. The FA Cup is still an opportunity, and even a club in perpetual dysfunction can make a strong claim to win it. Maybe that’s the real magic. Taha Hashim
O’Neill’s Wolves starting to click
Wolves’ victory at The Hawthorns may have been overshadowed by serious crowd trouble but their form during this seven-game unbeaten run is encouraging. Gary O’Neil has now woven his style of play into a squad that is short on numbers – and unlikely to improve before this week’s transfer deadline – but high on quality and unity. The return of Pedro Neto, who opened the scoring against West Brom, has eased fears that they will miss Hwang Hee-Chan too much during the Asian Cup, and no player has more than eight assists in the Premier League Series; Not only has Matheus Cunha found the best place in the team, starting as a left-sided attacker, but he now has six goals in his last eight games. Even if they didn’t play so slickly in this local derby, the confidence is there. Peter Lansley
Elokobi inspires faith for Maidstone
One of Maidstone United’s heroes, Lamar Reynolds, has credited their manager George Elokobi with inspiring faith in the National League South club to end their huge upset at Ipswich. Even Reynolds’ opener at Portman Road clinched the FA Cup final and set up Sam Corne’s winner to take on Championship promotion rivals – a team 98 places above them in the football pyramid. Part-time sides Maidstone are the first club from outside the top five of English football to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup since Blyth Spartans in 1978. Reynolds said: “He [Elokobi] but urging us to believe in ourselves. When you believe that things like this can happen. “That’s when all the emotions exploded after that. We are now in the last 16 and who would have thought that? It’s ridiculous.” Reynolds, whose goal against Ipswich was his first for Maidstone, returned to his other job on Sunday as a social support worker for young adults with autism. “It feels special,” said the 28-year-old forward. “It feels great and I’m sure when I wake up it will feel even better.” Simon Mail
Spurs’ starting line-up falls flat against City
Ange Postecoglou called it a “reasonable chance”, and perhaps he was overextended. What he would downplay was his team Tottenham’s only sniff during the 1-0 home win against Manchester City. It came on 53 minutes. Timo Werner played the pass and Brennan Johnson chased it when the goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, came out. Johnson got there first – straight – and turned the ball towards the goal but Ortega was so close to him that the block was almost formal. Postecoglou would complain about how passive his side were in the first half and, with City in charge, it was always going to be difficult to turn the tide. Spurs’ front three of Johnson, Richarlison and Werner have disappointed and will be looking over their shoulders in the countdown to Wednesday’s home game against Brentford. If Postecoglou brings the fit James Maddison into the starting XI in midfield, Dejan Kulusevski could move wider, which would put pressure on someone. David Hytner
Barkley continues his Luton revival
It is hard to believe that Ross Barkley is now on the wrong side of 30. It seems that not long ago there were tears in the Everton blue teenager setting himself on the course with Premier League and international greatness. Of course, it all went awry somewhere down the line; Barkley’s 2022 move to Nice looked set to end – until Luton took a chance on him last summer. Under Rob Edwards, Barkley has been a revelation, and it felt inevitable that he would make his presence felt upon his return to Goodison Park in this cup round. Barkley forced an own goal from Vitaliy Mykolenko for Luton’s opener (although VAR chose not to penalize a potential push), and then proceeded to dazzle in midfield in a manner familiar to Hatters fans this season. Luton is all the better for Barkley 2.0. Dominic Booth
Pedro’s class may encourage sales
João Pedro could be the next Brighton star to be sold for a healthy profit on the around £30m fee paid to Watford in May for the 22-year-old’s cocktail of gliding movement and eyeless finishing. His hat-trick tied Sheffield United and took his season tally to 18 which means only Erling Haaland (19) has scored more. But as his manager admitted, the Brazilian could leave soon because of the club’s model. “João Pedro is an important player for Brighton but he will be an important player for the next transfer window,” said Roberto De Zerbi. “Brighton’s policy is clear – to compete but to progress the young players we need to accept – such [Alexis] Mac Allister [to Liverpool, £35m], [Moisés] Caicedo [Chelsea, £115m] and other important players. The challenge then is to find others.” Jamie Jackson
Toon enjoy a tonic cup
Newcastle’s season has faded somewhat since their exit from the Uefa Champions League but the FA Cup could be the catalyst to revive Eddie Howe’s side. The Geordie faithful have already secured a 3-0 win over rivals Sunderland in the third round, while their 2-0 win over Fulham has seen them through to the last 16 of the competition. they are just two games away from returning to Wembley. League form is down, and European football is no more, so Newcastle could have some eggs in the FA Cup basket. Newcastle are still chasing a first trophy under Saudi ownership, and after coming so close last season in the Carabao Cup, the squad will be hungry to fight for it again just over 12 months later. Jack Kelly
A striking issue for Chelsea
Chelsea may have been hitting the right notes under Mauricio Pochettino of late, but the Blues still desperately need a No. this campaign fits, one more than the whole season. As Pochettino said: “I trust and believe in my players, when we play in this way we are going to score.” However, with Christopher Nkunku sidelined, Nicholas Jackson away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Armando Broja struggling since his return from injury, a new striking option could be just what Chelsea need to push forward in the Premier League and domestic cups. James Saint Denis
Murillo impresses Forest
As for Nottingham Forest, it is a game they could do without a replay at home to Bristol City but the big advantage of their draw at Ashton Gate was their fourth clean sheet of the season, and first since November. When a northern club has spent £250m on 42 players since promotion, there’s always going to be a miss or two but a handful have hit the sweet spot. His first signing, Taiwo Awoniyi, who is nearing his return from a groin injury, was a big hit, as was Morgan Gibbs-White, although Serge Aurier was a welcome surprise. Arguably the best of all, however, is Murillo, a £10m signing from Corinthians last August. The 21-year-old Brazilian was convincing again alongside Andrew Omobamidele, the last of the 42, last time out and has made a big impact in a short space of time. Ben Fisher
