Liverpool ease into fifth round; United survive scare
Liverpool advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup after a 5-2 win against second-tier Norwich on Sunday –  in the first game since Jurgen Klopp announced his shock decision to walk away at the end of the season – while Manchester United survived a major FA Cup scare from Newport County. How Klopp would love to end his trophy-laden reign on a winning note by guiding Liverpool to more silverware this year. And victory at Anfield kept alive his team's four-pronged trophy pursuit, having already secured a place in League Cup final this week. Liverpool also top the Premier League and are in the knockout stage of the Europa League. Curtis Jones opened the scoring in the 16th minute and although Ben Gibson leveled for the visitors six minutes later, Darwin Nunez restored Liverpool's advantage. His strike in the 28th gave Liverpool a half-time lead and goals from Diogo Jota in the 53rd and Virgil Van Dijk in the 63rd put the home team in control. Borja Sainz's stunning goal in the 69th made it 4-2, but there was little danger of Klopp's day being spoiled and Ryan Gravenberch completed the scoring in the fifth minute of time added on. The cup represents Erik ten Hag's last realistic chance of a trophy in his second season at Manchester United and it took second-half goals from Antony and Rasmus Hojlund to secure the Premier League team's place in the next round. United had quickly raced in front through goals from Bruno Fernandes in the seventh minute and Kobbie Mainoo in the 13th. But Ten Hag's team were shocked when Bryn Morris pulled one back with a deflected long shot in the 36th. And it took only two minutes of the second half for Will Evans to slide in an equaliser. In front of incoming United director Dave Brailsford, it had the potential to be a humbling day for Ten Hag – even if the game had ended in a draw. But when Luke Shaw's curling shot hit the post, Antony was quick to react and converted the rebound from an angle in the 68th. Hojlund made certain of the win in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The FA said it would investigate after the game between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton was stopped because of “dangerous and inexcusable” crowd trouble. Wolves won the heated West Midlands derby 2-0, but the result was overshadowed by scenes off the field at the Hawthorns and the lengthy delay until the game could be restarted. Stuart Armstrong scored an 89th-minute equaliser to earn Southampton a replay against Watford after a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road. (AP)