The Malta Independent on Sunday
United leads quartet of EPL teams into 4th round Solskjaer gets record-tying 5th straight win as United coach
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has some serious selection dilemmas to weigh up as he looks to make more history in his record-setting start as Manchester United manager.
United beat second-tier struggler Reading 2-0 in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday for a fifth straight win since Solskjaer replaced the fired Jose Mourinho last month. It ties the record of Matt Busby, who also won his first five games in charge in the 1946-47 season.
Solskjaer can surpass Busby’s mark with a win at Tottenham in the Premier League next weekend, and more and more players are putting their hands up for selection, especially in attack.
Juan Mata, from the penalty spot, and Romelu Lukaku scored the first-half goals to see off Reading at Old Trafford, while Alexis Sanchez played a part in both strikes amid a busy display in the Chilean’s first start since returning from injury.
That trio is likely to start on the bench against Tottenham, with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard seemingly Solskjaer’s preferred front three. Lukaku, however, has now scored three goals in three games - the first two as a substitute - and Sanchez is surely a guaranteed starter once he gets back to playing like his old self more regularly.
United was sloppy against Reading, though, giving up a number of great scoring opportunities that the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are unlikely to pass up so easily next weekend.
Solskjaer played a virtual reserve team, sticking to his promise to give all his squad a chance to impress, and Mata scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute.
Following a move instigated by Sanchez down the left, Fred had a goal ruled out because of offside but a penalty was awarded following consultation with the video assistant referee after a foul on Mata in the buildup. The Spanish playmaker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
Sanchez then played a pass behind Reading’s defence for Lukaku to round the goalkeeper and slot home from an acute angle in stoppage time.
Sanchez went off just after the hour mark and appeared to point to his right thigh, suggesting an injury.
West Ham, Burnley also advance
Fellow top-flight teams West Ham and Burnley also advanced with victories over lower-league opponents, while Brighton won 3-1 at Bournemouth in an all-Premier League matchup.
This is the stage where sides from England's top two divisions enter the world's oldest club knockout competition.
Solskjaer joins Matt Busby as the only United managers to win their first five games, with Juan Mata – from the penalty spot – and Romelu Lukaku scoring first-half goals against Reading. The Norwegian is in charge until the end of the season after coming in as the replacement for the fired Jose Mourinho, but has stated he wants the job on a fulltime basis.
West Ham beat Birmingham 2- 0 thanks to goals by Marko Arnautovic and Andy Carroll. Arnautovic was substituted as a precaution with a back injury after 20 minutes, while new signing Samir Nasri made his debut.
Chris Wood’s penalty in the second minute of second-half stoppage time earned Burnley a 1-0 win over third-tier Barnsley.
Fabregas says goodbye as Chelsea advances
Cesc Fabregas might have played his last game not only for Chelsea but also in English football after bidding the team’s fans an emotional farewell near the end of a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup yesterday.
The former Spain midfielder, who wore the captain’s armband for the game, had a penalty saved in the first half and was substituted with six minutes remaining. He waved to Chelsea’s supporters, patted the badge on his jersey, was hugged by David Luiz and Eden Hazard, and appeared on the verge of tears as he walked off the field.
Fabregas has been linked with a move to French team Monaco, which is coached by former Ar- senal teammate Thierry Henry. He has played at Chelsea since 2014, having spent eight years at Arsenal (2003-11).
Alvaro Morata scored Chelsea’s goals against Forest in the 49th and 59th minutes, with 18-yearold winger Callum Hudson-Odoi setting them up with crosses from the right. Hudson-Odoi has also been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Bayern Munich reportedly interested.
Chelsea is the defending champion in the FA Cup, after beating Manchester United in last season's final.
Easy for Arsenal
Another team among the favourites, Arsenal, had an easy win over League One side Blackpool.
The Gunners won the tie 3-0, as two first half goals from Joseph Willock on 11 and 37 minutes paved the way for their win.
Alex Iwobi scored the third on 82 minutes.
Newcastle scored a late goal to force a 1-1 draw against Blackburn, while Crystal Palace also left it late to beat 10-man Grimsby 1-0.