Advancing to the next stage of the FA Cup, Liverpool secured a commanding 3-0 triumph over Brighton at Anfield, a match illuminated by a goal from Mohamed Salah. Concurrently, Manchester City progressed with a 2-0 win against Salford, a team from the fourth tier, a victory marked by Marc Guehi netting his inaugural goal for the club. This information comes from the sports desk at BNG News.
Despite a previous round victory over Manchester United, Brighton arrived at Anfield mired in a pronounced slump, their recent performances offering little resistance to a Liverpool side demonstrating clear signs of resurgence. The tactical setup for the hosts saw Curtis Jones deployed in an unorthodox position on the right flank, a decision necessitated by the team’s current injury concerns.
Key Performances and Decisive Moments
The encounter’s dynamics were decisively altered following a contentious incident. A challenge by Pascal Gross on Jones inside the penalty area, initially overlooked by the match officials, was subsequently reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The technology confirmed the infringement, awarding Liverpool a penalty which Salah converted with clinical precision, breaking the deadlock.
Building on this momentum, Liverpool’s dominance was further cemented before the halftime interval. A swift and incisive counter-attack, initiated from their own defensive third, culminated in Luis Díaz doubling the advantage. The Colombian forward, receiving a precise pass from Darwin Núñez, executed a composed finish to leave the Brighton goalkeeper with no chance.
Sealing the victory in the latter stages, Harvey Elliott added a third goal for Liverpool, his effort from the edge of the box taking a slight deflection on its way into the net, a detail confirmed by goal-line technology. This comprehensive performance underscored a stark contrast in form between the two sides.
In the other notable fixture of the evening, Manchester City navigated past the challenge posed by Salford City. The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute when defender Marc Guehi, rising to meet a corner, powered a header into the net to score his first goal since his transfer from Crystal Palace. The Citizens controlled proceedings thereafter, with Phil Foden applying the finishing touch in the 67th minute, his low strike from outside the area securing the 2-0 scoreline and confirming their place in the fifth round draw.