Mikel Arteta deployed Bukayo Saka in a central role for Arsenal against Wigan in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday and saw his team cruise to a emphatic 4-0 win. The Arsenal boss spoke about his decision to swap Saka from his usual role out wide, admitting it is something that he had wanted to try and is now a tactic that he could look to use more often.
The Cape Winelands side and their opponents from Tanzania entered this last group game with their quarter-final hopes having already been extinguished. With nothing tangible left to fight for, the fixture effectively became a dead rubber. The chance to sign off in a respectable manner was all that remained at stake, but it turned out to be a disappointing evening for both teams.
After the Brazilians secured their path to the knockout rounds of the CAF Champions League, some of their players began receiving rave reviews for their performances. This turnaround followed a period of sharp criticism directed at the squad and coach Miguel Cardoso when the team struggled both domestically and on the continent. They were facing the real threat of being dumped out of the continental competition.
In order to make the former Mamelodi Sundowns star an effective player, a position where he can express himself fully has been identified. Initially, the playmaker was deployed as the main man behind the strikers, but recently there has been stiff competition for that slot. In the games against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Marumo Gallants, he played in a different position and not as a playmaker.
After engaging in the Nedbank Cup campaign, teams turned their focus to the Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates widened the gap at the top with a win over Marumo Gallants, while Babina Noko's result affected Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, who were focused on their respective CAF campaigns. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up.
It was Amakhosi's maiden participation in the group stage of this continental inter-club competition after successfully navigating through the preliminary round. But they came so close to getting a ticket to the quarter-finals and in the end were unable. The Naturena outfit needed just a draw to reach the knockouts, but a defeat to the White Knight saw Al Masry beat them to the ticket courtesy of a superior goal difference.
The Buccaneers' bid to win the title received a massive boost after their closest rivals suffered a defeat. On the other hand, the Glamour Boys' dream of defending it was hit with a blow after yet another defeat. With the title race campaign gaining momentum, the Sea Robbers enjoy a five-point advantage as rivals sweat trying to catch up.
The South African tactician made an emotional return to the country to face his former side, a club that gave him a platform to become a top coach and a team he won a number of titles with. His mission to South Africa was a high-stakes encounter against Masandawana in search of at least a draw that was enough to send his team to the knockout phase. However, his former side was too strong for the Algerian outfit, who eventually crashed out of the continental competition.
The Glamour Boys came into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia just needing a draw to progress. They fell 2-1 to Zamalek and exited the CAF Confederation Cup at the group stage. Now, as the dust settles, fans have taken to social media to vent their feelings over the result and Amakhosi's performance.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has heaped praise on Mohamed Salah for his starring role in their 3-0 win against Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday evening. Strikes from Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai saw the Reds build a commanding 2-0 lead, before Salah, who ran the show, capped off proceedings from the penalty spot.
Wayne Rooney launched a scathing attack on the standard of officiating in the FA Cup on Saturday, as Newcastle United overcame Aston Villa 3-1 in the fourth round despite multiple game-changing decisions going against them in the absence of VAR. The former Manchester United striker was particularly critical of a decision which saw a free kick given for a Lucas Digne handball which was clearly 'three yards inside' the penalty area.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress but succumbed 2-1 to the White Knight and were eliminated from the competition. It was a result that did not sit well with Brian Baloyi who lashed out at the club's management.
Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his return from a lengthy injury absence by registering an assist as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 to climb to the top of La Liga. The England international had not started for over two months due to a thigh problem, but immediately influenced proceedings, setting up the opening goal inside five minutes and earning praise from head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Manchester City may have secured their passage into the FA Cup fifth round, but manager Pep Guardiola was left far from impressed by what he witnessed at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Despite a 2-0 victory over League Two outfit Salford City, the Catalan coach offered a scathing assessment of his side's display, labelling the performance "flat and slow and not good." It was a result that got the job done, but the manner of the victory left much to be desired for the reigning Premier League champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al-Nassr’s starting line-up and scored against Al-Fateh after missing two matches amid a dispute over finances and transfer backing in the Saudi Pro League. The club captain was on strike after title rivals Al-Hilal signed former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, while his own side was restricted in how they could move during the transfer market.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress. For the White Knight, the only option was to secure maximum points to be sure of advancing as pool winners regardless of the outcome between Al Masry and ZESCO United.
Harry Kane marked another landmark moment in his impressive career by scoring twice for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen, bringing his total to 500 senior goals for club and country. The England captain continued what is becoming his most prolific season in Germany and is heading towards the World Cup in outstanding scoring form, a great sign for the Three Lions.
It was a game of intense tension for both teams and their supporters, since neither could afford defeat in their bid to make the knockout phase. The Brazilians needed maximum points to make the last eight, while the People's Club could afford a draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium thanks to the recent results in Group C.
Wrexham celebrated five years with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac at the helm of the club by beating Ipswich Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Phil Parkinson's side won 1-0 on Friday night to make it into the fifth phase of the famous competition for the first time since 1997. Josh Windass was the hero for the hosts, scoring the only goal of the game against their fellow Championship promotion hopefuls.
Although much has been expected from the 22-year-old, he has ended up attracting more criticism than praise. After wasting quite a number of chances against Stellenbosch in a Nedbank Cup encounter, his performance was again negatively scrutinised. But there is hope for the South African star; he has been tipped to become a top goal scorer and even a dependable Bafana asset.
Barcelona's players shared their concerns with manager Hansi Flick about his tactics in the wake of their 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. The result leaves the Blaugrana with a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg of the tie at Camp Nou in March, and the players have called on the manager to make changes to his system.
As Amakhosi players chase titles on the pitch, their supporters have been reminded of their cardinal role and warned against following what others do. The Bafana Bafana legend has explained why the fans should not be so negative against the players and said the fans need to be responsible.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed just why he loves the FA Cup as he prepares to face League Two side Salford City in the fourth round of the competition on Saturday. The 55-year-old, who has won the competition twice with Manchester City, has revealed he 'loves' the atmosphere generated by fans of lower-league clubs and the chants that fill their stadiums.
The winger's move from the Soweto giants to the Pretoria heavyweights was the biggest shocking move reported in the January transfer window. Given that some fans had seen the 27-year-old as an outcast after he was ostracised at Bucs, Masandawana still went on to sign him in an attempt to bolster their attacking department. The bigger question now is if the South African international can succeed with the defending league champions.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap has opened up on his horror miss for the Blues against Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night. The striker thought he had opened the scoring after blocking an attempted clearance from goalkeeper Dillon Phillips. Delap even started to celebrate before watching on as the ball struck the underside of the crossbar and then bounced away from goal.
Hull City have confirmed arrests have been made after discriminatory chanting was heard during the 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea on Friday night. The Championship club's public address system sounded a warning to supporters to cease during the first half, warning supporters that chanting of a discriminatory nature is a criminal offence.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the Al-Nassr squad and could feature in Saturday's clash with Al-Fateh. The Portuguese legend has missed his club side's last three games, having been frustrated by the Public Investment Fund during the January transfer window, but he now looks set to end his protest and return to the pitch.
The South African legend recently unveiled his autobiography, documenting his adventure in football and how it helped him get out of poverty. Among those who contributed is the Benfica coach, who worked with the retired striker 22 years ago and conquered Europe together. The Harambee Stars coach has since explained what that gesture means to him.
Wigan Athletic interim manager Glenn Whelan has admitted he has taken Premier League advice ahead of this weekend's FA Cup tie against Arsenal. The Latics are hoping to pull off a remarkable scalp when they take on the top-flight leaders.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has claimed Arsenal forward Eberechi Eze looked "lost" in the 1-1 draw with Brentford as Mikel Arteta's side dropped points in the Premier League title race. With Manchester City applying pressure, the Gunners failed to beat the Bees on Thursday night, seeing their lead at the top cut to four points.