Our Team of the Weekend following the FA Cup’s fourth-round action, featuring a Liverpool quartet and names from Arsenal, Leeds, Chelsea and Mansfield.
Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri – Leed United
Not always convincing at set pieces, but made some big saves at big moments for Leeds. Perri made a fantastic stop to push Jay Stansfield’s effort onto the woodwork, and another to get down low to Demarai Gray’s drive. His most important came in the shootout, guessing right to deny Tommy Doyle and help Leeds through.
Right-back: Curtis Jones – Liverpool
Liverpool’s latest stand-in right-back impressed on a pleasing night for the Reds. Jones ended his long goal drought with the opener against Brighton and was rarely troubled by the Seagulls defensively.
Centre-back: Konstantinos Mavropanos – West Ham
A brick wall as West Ham made hard work of third-tier Burton Albion. The Greek defender has vastly improved since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival at West Ham and captained a rotated team at Burton.
He produced a leader’s performance, making an astonishing 19 clearances, one from the goal-line, and winning eight aerial duels.
Centre-back: Kyle Knoyle – Mansfield Town
An incredible upset for Mansfield Town, who stunned Premier League Burnley at Turf Moor to book their place in the fifth round for the first time since 1975.
Kyle Knoyle was crucial to the win, with a vital last-ditch clearance to prevent a certain goal, and the cross for Rhys Oates’ equaliser. The Stags march on.
Left-back: Milos Kerkez – Liverpool
Seems to be getting better and better in a Liverpool shirt. Against Brighton, Kerkez looked like the player Liverpool believed they were signing in the summer. One sweet hit forced a fine save from Jason Steele, before his cross picked out Curtis Jones to break the deadlock.
Midfield: Sandro Tonali – Newcastle
Sandro Tonali has waited all season for a goal but found two as Newcastle won at Aston Villa. In a crazy game littered with bizarre decisions, Tonali took responsibility to turn it around for Newcastle. His second goal was a stunner, fizzed into the far corner.
Midfield: Eberechi Eze – Arsenal
Just as there were some question marks beginning to be asked about Eze, he delivered a nice reminder of his quality. Sure, there will be tougher tests than League One strugglers, but the invention Eze showed in Arsenal’s 4-0 win at the Emirates stood out.
His defence-splitting pass for Noni Madueke’s opener was a beauty, before he added a second assist for Gabriel Martinelli. Much, much better from the summer signing.
Midfield: Louis Reed – Mansfield Town
Louis Reed is loving the FA Cup this season. The Mansfield midfielder has three goals in this season’s competition, having netted just once in League One. Reed’s sensational free-kick earned The Stags a 2-1 win at Burnley and a place in round five.
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Mohamed Salah believes Dominik Szoboszlai is now one of the world’s best footballers. Based on his performances this season, it’s tough to disagree.
The Hungarian was everywhere again in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brighton and scored the second with a thumping effort. He’s been Liverpool’s standout this season by a considerable distance.
Forward: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Much more like his old self this weekend. Salah set up Szoboszlai’s goal with a lovely cushioned pass, before bundling a route through the Brighton defence to win a penalty. The Egyptian emphatically smashed home from the spot to seal an impressive win for the Reds.
Forward: Pedro Neto – Chelsea
Chelsea’s hat-trick hero as the Blues eased past Hull City on Friday night. Neto netted the opener with a crisp finish from the edge of the area, before scoring a fortuitous second as his corner evaded everyone to go straight in. He claimed the match ball for a first career hat-trick to confirm Chelsea’s place in the fifth round.
Read – VAR vindicated? Newcastle win over Villa marred by refereeing errors
See more – Salah calls Liverpool teammate ‘one of the best in the world’