A review of Tuesday's action in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
FA Cup results
- Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
- West Brom 2-3 Newcastle
- Reading 1-2 Sheffield United (after extra-time)
Chelsea ease past Liverpool thanks to Willian and Barkley
Recalled Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalga pulled off a stunning triple save as Willian and Ross Barkley's strikes condemned Liverpool to a third defeat in four matches.
Under-fire stopper Kepa seized the chance to reassert his worth to boss Frank Lampard as Chelsea battled to a fine 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win at Stamford Bridge.
Only two weeks ago runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool had lost just twice in 41 matches in all competitions this season.
Fast forward 14 days and Jurgen Klopp's Reds have surrendered their rampant form, with defeat at Atletico Madrid, a 3-0 humbling at Watford and now this hefty blow in west London.
Liverpool still boast a 22-point Premier League lead over second-placed Manchester City, with a first top-flight title in 30 years no doubt a mere formality.
But there can be no doubt either that the exacting Klopp will be fuming with this faltering form.
Chelsea emerged worthy winners to storm into the quarter-finals but were left to count an ever-increasing injury toll, with Mateo Kovacic and Willian the latest Stamford Bridge stars to pull up with problems.
Manager Lampard will be boosted enormously, though, by a virtuoso turn from 18-year-old Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour.
The teen sensation more than merited his inclusion in a performance of poise and maturity, digging out his defence as often as threading killer passes.
Chelsea could now face Everton in Sunday's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge missing as many as nine frontline stars.
Opta stats
- Chelsea have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in four of the last five seasons – going on to win the competition the last time they reached this stage in 2018 (1-0 v Manchester United in the final).
- Chelsea have won seven of their 11 FA Cup meetings with Liverpool – on each of the last two occasions they’ve beaten them (1997 and 2012) they’ve gone on to win the competition.
- Liverpool have been eliminated in three of their last five FA Cup fifth round ties, losing at this stage for the first time since February 2014 (2-1 v Arsenal).
- Liverpool have lost three consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since November 2014.
- Since his FA Cup debut in January 2014, Willian has been directly involved in 16 goals for Chelsea (11 goals, 5 assists), at least five more than any other player for the club in that time.
- Willian has scored 24 goals from outside the box since his Chelsea debut in September 2013, 13 more than any other Blues player.
- Chelsea’s Ross Barkley scored his first ever goal against Liverpool on his 12th appearance, before today he had played more games against them (11) without scoring than against any other team.
Almiron at the double as Newcastle beat Championship West Brom
A brace from Miguel Almiron helped Newcastle reach the last eight for the first time since 2006 as they survived a late scare to beat Championship leaders West Brom 3-2.
Almiron opened the scoring shortly after the half hour mark at The Hawthorns with a composed left-foot finish after being played in by the influential Allan Saint-Maximin, who had earlier hit the post from 25 yards.
A speculative back-heel by Joelinton set up Almiron to slam home his second on the stroke of half-time and victory was seemingly assured two minutes into the second half when Baggies goalkeeper Jonathan Bond palmed a cross straight into Valentino Lazaro and back into an empty net.
Matt Phillips pulled a goal back on 74 minutes and substitute Kenneth Zohore made it 3-2 with seconds remaining, but Steve Bruce's side held on.
Opta stats
- Newcastle have reached the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign, when they were eventually eliminated by Chelsea.
- As a second-tier side, West Bromwich Albion have been eliminated from five of their last six FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition, with the exception being their fourth round tie against West Ham this season.
- Newcastle have scored more FA Cup goals than any other Premier League side this season (11). Indeed, the Magpies are averaging 2.2 goals-per-game in the FA Cup compared to 0.9 in the Premier League this season.
- Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron has scored four goals in his five FA Cup matches this season, double the amount he’s scored in 24 Premier League appearances (2).
- Matt Phillips scored his first goal for West Brom since December (vs Swansea), ending a run of 16 games without a goal for the Scotsman.
Sharp fires Sheffield United into quarter-finals
Billy Sharp was the hero for Sheffield United as the veteran striker grabbed an extra-time winner at Championship side Reading.
David McGoldrick gave the visitors the lead after just two minutes by heading home Ben Osborn's cross, but George Puscas equalised from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time after George Baldock pushed Andy Rinomhota in the area.
Neither side could find a winner in normal time but substitute Sharp headed into the roof of the net just before the end of the first period of extra time to send the Blades into the last eight.
Opta stats
- Sheffield United have reached the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2013-14. In fact, they last reached the last eight as a top-flight side in 1992-93.
- Reading have lost their last five meetings with Sheffield United in all competitions; only against Arsenal (14), Manchester United (6) and Middlesbrough (6) are they on longer current losing streaks.
- Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp has been directly involved in four goals in his last five appearances in all competitions (2 goals, 2 assists), he only scored once in his first 15 games this season (1 goal, 0 assists).
- Reading forward George Puscas has scored in four of his last five appearances in all competitions (4 goals), as many goals as in his previous 24 for the club.
- David McGoldrick’s second minute strike was his first goal of the season for Sheffield United, in his 21st game with what was his 37th shot.
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