Man City crush Newport’s cup dream

Manchester City broke through Newport’s stubborn defence in the second half to beat the fourth-tier side 4-1 in the FA Cup yesterday, although the result wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline suggested.

Newport’s hopes of an epic fifth-round upset were still intact when Padraig Amond pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 in the 88th minute. But Phil Foden replied instantly with his second goal of the game and Riyad Mahrez added an injurytime score, allowing City to advance to the quarterfinals to keep Pep Guardiola’s side in the hunt for a possible four trophies.

Brighton and Millwall also advanced.

Brighton beat second-tier Derby 2-1, while Championship side Millwall overcame AFC Wimbledon 1-0.

City’s visit to South Wales had only one realistic outcome, but the win wasn’t quite as simple as most expected.

City entered the game as overwhelming favourites – especially after beating Chelsea 6-0 last weekend in the Premier League – but struggled to impose their usual attacking game on a pitch that contained more mud than grass in many places.

‘‘It was the worst conditions I have played in,’’ Foden said. ‘‘We had to show professionalism and keep the ball moving and they tired in the end.’’

Newport, with an annual wage bill that’s less than 1 per cent of City’s, managed to reach the halftime break still at 0-0, and even created the best chance of the opening 45 minutes. City goalkeeper Ederson had to produce a stellar one-handed save to keep Tyreeq Bakinson’s header at bay in the 14th minute.

But Leroy Sane, who hit the crossbar in the first half, finally created the breakthrough for City in the 51st. Sane ran onto a pass from Gabriel Jesus and fired a left-foot shot that hit goalkeeper Joe Day square in the face before spinning through his arms and into the net. The strike left Day with a bloody nose, and left Newport’s chances in tatters as well.

Brighton reached the quarterfinals for the second year in a row after holding off a late comeback attempt by Derby.

Brighton looked to be in complete control after taking a 2-0 lead at halftime, with Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia scoring for the Premier League side. But Derby threatened to make a comeback after veteran left back Ashley Cole – a seventime FA Cup winner with Arsenal and Chelsea – scored his first goal in the competition in the 81st.

That made for a nervy last 10 minutes for the hosts, but Harry Wilson and Fikayo Tomori both shot wide for Derby to scupper any hopes of a comeback.

Millwall also advanced after Murray Wallace’s early goal was enough to see off League One struggler AFC Wimbledon.

Wallace headed in a cross from Ryan Leonard in the fifth minute and the hosts had a number of second-half chances to add to the lead, but couldn’t find a way past Wimbledon goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for a second time.

It’s the second time in three years the London club has reached the quarterfinals.

Cronulla Sharks skipper Paul Gallen stands to make more from one fight with Sonny Bill Williams than his entire rugby league contract this year. We know it’s the fight that everyone wants to see, but it’s also a fight that is going to be a huge money-spinner.

It is my understanding that when the fight was agreed to last year, Gallen stood to earn about $300,000 as an up-front fee. He then was due to receive 30 per cent of the pay TV revenue in Australia and New Zealand. Throw in sponsors who would back him and the fight, and you can see how it would be a huge earn.

The fight was scheduled to happen in 2017, but it fell over because Main Event and the man promoting the fight, Khoder Nasser, couldn’t agree on what the bout was worth. Nasser has 50-plus fights with the channel and this fight has been the one that has caused the most problems.

After he knocked out former league bad boy John Hopoate 10 days ago, Gallen is going to want to renegotiate the original deal and want even more to make the fight happen. Expect him to go for a 50:50 split. He thinks his profile is worth that.

Gallen would be required to carry the promotion of the fight as All Blacks star Williams prefers to let his actions do the talking.

Gallen said after the Hopoate bout that it was now up to Williams to confirm a fight date.