Mohamed Salah’s commanding display helped Liverpool overcome Brighton to reach the FA Cup fifth round, while Aston Villa bowed out following a defeat to Newcastle United. Salah not only scored a goal himself but also provided an assist, underlining his pivotal role in Liverpool’s triumph.
Liverpool 3–0 Brighton: Salah Leads the Way
At Anfield on Saturday evening, Liverpool secured a convincing 3–0 victory over Brighton in their fourth-round tie. Dominic Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones opened the scoring before Salah added the finishing touch.
Curtis Jones’ goal, Liverpool’s second of the evening, came in the 42nd minute, rising to meet Milos Kerkez’s cross from the right and slotting the ball into the net. Remarkably, this was Jones’ first start since 17 January.
After the interval, Liverpool asserted complete control. In the 56th minute, Szoboszlai doubled the lead with a powerful strike, converting Salah’s precise cross. This marked the Hungarian midfielder’s tenth goal of the season.
Ten minutes later, Salah capitalised on a penalty awarded after Pascal Groß fouled him inside the box, firing a confident shot into the net to make it 3–0. The goal was Salah’s seventh of the campaign for Liverpool, demonstrating his enduring quality at 33.
Brighton created chances but failed to convert. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker produced a fine save to deny Diego Gómez, while Luis Dunk’s effort went wide. Late in the match, 17-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoh scored, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Newcastle 3–1 Aston Villa: Villa Exit
Elsewhere, Newcastle United stunned ten-man Aston Villa with a 3–1 victory, securing their place in the fifth round. Sandro Tonali’s brace proved decisive, with the Italian midfielder delivering both goals to steer Newcastle through.
The match was not without controversy, as several refereeing decisions sparked debate in the absence of VAR. Aston Villa, reduced to ten players during the contest, struggled to respond effectively, ultimately succumbing to Newcastle’s clinical finishing.
FA Cup Fourth-Round Results Snapshot
| Match | Score | Key Scorers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool vs Brighton | 3–0 | Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah | Jones’ first start since Jan 17 |
| Newcastle vs Aston Villa | 3–1 | Tonali (2), Unknown, Villa 1 | Aston Villa reduced to 10 men; VAR not used |
Liverpool now progress to the fifth round with renewed momentum, while Brighton must regroup after a missed opportunity. Newcastle’s victory adds further intrigue to the FA Cup, as Aston Villa exit the competition earlier than expected.