Mohamed Salah showcased his class by scoring a goal and setting up another as Liverpool thrashed Brighton & Hove Albion to progress to the FA Cup fifth round. In contrast, Aston Villa were eliminated following a 3–1 defeat to Newcastle United, marking a night of contrasting fortunes for Premier League sides.
At Anfield on Saturday evening, Liverpool dominated from the outset, securing a comprehensive 3–0 victory over Brighton in the fourth-round tie. The scoring was opened by Dominik Szoboszlai, followed by Curtis Jones, before Salah sealed the win with a penalty.
Jones’ goal came in the 42nd minute, rising at the far post to meet Milos Kerkez’s cross from the right flank. Remarkably, it was Jones’ first start since 17 January, signalling a return to form.
After the interval, Liverpool asserted full control. In the 56th minute, Szoboszlai doubled the advantage, converting a powerful strike from a Salah cross. This marked the Hungarian midfielder’s tenth goal of the season.
Ten minutes later, Salah himself found the net from the penalty spot after being fouled by Pascal Groß inside the box. The 33-year-old Egyptian star now has seven goals in the current campaign for Liverpool.
Brighton had several opportunities to respond but were thwarted by excellent goalkeeping from Alisson Becker and wayward finishing from Luis Dunk. A late strike from 17-year-old substitute Rio Ngumouha was disallowed for offside, denying the visitors a consolation goal.
Meanwhile, at St. James’ Park, Newcastle United produced a surprise by defeating a ten-man Aston Villa 3–1. Sandro Tonali’s brace ensured Newcastle’s progression to the next round. The absence of VAR led to several contentious refereeing decisions, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike.
Key FA Cup Fourth-Round Results
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Notable Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Feb | Liverpool | 3–0 | Brighton | Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah |
| 15 Feb | Newcastle United | 3–1 | Aston Villa | Tonali 2, Saint-Maximin |
Liverpool will now face the fifth round with confidence, aiming to continue their cup run, while Aston Villa must regroup after their early exit. The weekend’s results underline both the unpredictability and excitement that characterise the FA Cup.