It seems that of all Premier League teams, only Spurs and Manchester City managed a clean and easy victory in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Manchester United crashed out, Chelsea and West Ham had to play extra time (and penalties) in order to advance, and Liverpool won against Championship side Cardiff, but the win was not as easy as the result suggests. In fact, a bit of referee’s help was needed before Jurgen Klopp’s men scored the first goal, after which Cardiff just gave up: Liverpool – Cardiff 3:1.15 – Trent Alexander-Arnold has recorded his 15th assist of the season across all competitions; this is the most by any Premier League player in 2021-22, as well as the joint-most for Alexander-Arnold in a single season of his career (also 15 in 18-19 and 19-20). Pinpoint. pic.twitter.com/2Ko3DWVIWV— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 6, 2022 It was 0-0 after the first half and the game up to that point was simply boring. Liverpool created openings but there’s been a real lack of ruthlessness in and around the box. Ten shots but only one on target for Liverpool says it all. Cardiff have defended well and were determined not to concede. But, just as the second half began, the Reds keeper Kelleher made a mistake and tackled Harris outside the penalty area. And while everybody expected that the red card would follow, referee Andy Madley gave the player only yellow. The VAR was checking the situation and concluded that the yellow card was appropriate. One has the feeling that in the reverse situation, the red card would be given instantly.Are Liverpool lucky to still have 11 players on the pitch? Keeper Kelleher was booked for this challenge – but did he deserve harsher punishment? pic.twitter.com/6GWoJDyf6h— 90min (@90min_Football) February 6, 2022 Cardiff players were distracted by the referee’s decision and minutes after, Liverpool were up 1-0. Diogo Jota is probably the greatest scorer from the air in the world, considering his highs, and the Portuguese again found the net with his header to give the Reds a lead. After that, the game was effectively over. Klopp was so sure about that, that he introduced his new signing Luis Diaz (along with Harvey Elliot) in the 58th minute, even thou the Columbian only had one training with the team.Substitutions proved to be spot on, as Diaz created the chance after which Minamino scored the second goal, while Elliot, coming back from a dislocated ankle in September 2021 scored a beautiful goal in the 76th minute. The guests managed to score an honorable goal minutes later and the Reds are through to the Fifth round of the FA Cup.FA CUPFourth Round FridayManchester United – Middlesbrough 0-0 (1-0)/Sancho 25 – Crooks 64/Middlesbrough win 8-7 on penalties.SaturdayKidderminster Harriers – West Ham United 1-2 AET, 1-1 (1-0)/Penny 19 – Rice 90+1, Bowen 120+1/Chelsea – Plymouth Argyle 2-1 AET, 1-1 (1-1)/Azpilicueta 41, Alonso 105+1 – Gillesphey 8/Stoke City – Wigan Athletic 2-0 (1-0)/Maja 14, Brown 62/Wolverhampton Wanderers – Norwich City 0-1 (0-1)/McLean 45+1/Manchester City – Fulham 4-1 (2-1)/Gundogan 6, Stones 13, Mahrez 53, 58 – Carvalho 4/Peterborough – QPR 2-0 (1-0)/Ward 25, Jones 72/Southampton – Coventry City 2-1 AET, 1-1 (0-1)/Armstrong 63, Walker-Peters 112 – Gyokeres 22/Crystal Palace – Hartlepool United 2-0 (2-0)/Guehi 4, Olise 22/Huddersfield – Barnsley 1-0 (1-0)/Holmes 19/Everton – Brentford 4-1 (1-0)/Mina 31, Richarlison 48, Holgate 62, Townsend 90+1 – Toney 54 pen/Cambridge – Luton 0-3 (0-2)/Burke 16, Gomez 23, Muskwe 88/Tottenham – Brighton 3-1 (2-0)/Kane 13,66,March 24 (og) – Bissouma 63/Liverpool – Cardiff 3-1 (0-0)/Jota 53 Minamino 68 Elliot 76 – Colwill 86/19.00: (4.10) Nott.Forest (3.50) Leicester (1.92)21.30: (1.28) Bournemouth (5.50) Boreham Wood (11.0)***odds are subject of change
