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Newcastle United were dumped out of the FA Cup last night by Sheffield Wednesday amid a costly mistake from the linesman.

The Lowdown: Cup upset

The magic of the cup saying runs true for Wednesday right now as they dumped Premier League side Newcastle out in the third round following a 2-1 victory at Hillsborough.

Josh Windass’s double either side of the hour mark was enough as the Yorkshire outfit survived a late onslaught from the visitors who were searching for an equaliser after Bruno Guimaraes had got a goal back with 20 minutes to go.

The six-time winners of the competition were knocked out at the first hurdle for the third time running and the second time consecutively to a League One side following Cambridge United’s shock last season.

The Latest: Newcastle aggrieved

Newcastle will be lumped with the disappointment of heading out of the competition but more so with the manner of it.

Windass’ opening goal in the 52nd minute was allowed to stand through a huge error from the linesman who incorrectly ruled him onside, and with no VAR available in a League One ground, the goal stood.

With NUFC Gallowgate’s Twitter account posting an image of the incident with the caption: “miles offside #NUFC”.

The Verdict: Incorrect call

There’s no denying that VAR would’ve had a huge impact on the game with not only Wednesday’s opener but also Guimaraes’ goal both clearly offside and both would’ve been overruled.

Despite this, the Magpies’ relatively strong side still containing Sven Botman, Joelinton and a returning Alexander Isak from the off were often left fruitless in their play despite dominating 75.3% of the possession.

It’s the first defeat for Eddie Howe’s side since August but with it now three games and no wins alongside just the one goal in that time, the St James’ Park outfit need to shake themselves down and get back on form against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Glasgow Rangers head into this afternoon’s Viaplay Cup semi-final on a solid run of form under Michael Beale, winning five out of their previous six matches, with their only minor blemish coming with a draw in the Old Firm derby a fortnight ago.

A win today will send the Ibrox giants through to another domestic up final and the chance of claiming the trophy for the first time since 2011. Lifting silverware of any type so soon into his managerial reign would give Beale a major confidence boost.

However, Rangers could be without top scorer Antonio Colak for today’s clash against Aberdeen following his withdrawal at half-time against Dundee United.

Beale spoke to the media (via Daily Record) ahead of today’s match with a team news update, stating: “John Souttar trained all week and is ahead of schedule, this week is too soon and expect him around the squad for St Johnstone which is good news. Colak had a slight problem and is touch and go for this weekend. Roofe is ready to go, he is a really high-quality player.”

Having Roofe available is good news, but with Colak a potential absentee, it presents a blow to Rangers as the Croatian striker has played just 45 minutes under Beale.

Signed for just £1.8m last July, the 29-year-old was arguably the club’s best summer 2022 signing during the first half of the campaign.

He has scored 14 goals across all competitions for Rangers, but he sustained an injury in November and it remains to be seen whether or not Beale throws him in from the start today if he is fit enough to play a part.

The consolation is that Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala have both shown that their goalscoring instincts remain intact, having suffered under Giovanni van Bronckhorst but netting twice and three times respectively under their current manager.

Getting Colak back to full fitness will be a priority for Beale, as the striker’s devastating ability in the penalty box is crucial for the club heading into the most important part of the season.

In the meantime, though, Morelos, Roofe and Sakala should offer more than enough firepower between them to overcome Aberdeen at Hampden Park today.

Liverpool head Molineux tonight for their FA Cup third-round replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that he can give the Reds’ supporters something to look forward to by progressing in the competition after a troubling campaign so far.

The current FA Cup holders are ninth in the Premier League and already knocked out of the Carabao Cup, so a victory away from home would be a welcome boost of confidence for the squad ahead of their league clash against Chelsea next Saturday.

When Liverpool hosted Wolves at Anfield in the original tie ten days ago, it was mired in controversy due to an offside VAR decision on Matheus Nunes which led to a goal being disallowed for the visitors, ultimately resulting in a 2-2 draw.

Klopp took to his pre-match press conference on Monday to confirm that changes would be made to the team which lost to Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, stating: “We go as strong as we can. Not all players who played the last game are available now, for different reasons. We will make changes, that’s clear. We need fresh legs. We have to make decisions about the lineup and we will.”

As a result, the Liverpool manager should unleash Stefan Bajcetic, as the teenager could terrify Wolves if he is deployed and can give Klopp the fresh legs that he claimed the team needs tonight.

The 18-year-old – who was dubbed “cheeky as hell” by his manager – has become a regular feature in the senior squad this season after being promoted from the U21 youth setup on Merseyside, with eight appearances for the first-team so far.

Over his three Premier League appearances, the confident teenager scored one goal against Aston Villa during his 11-minute performance in midfield, also completing 100% of his dribbles and winning 63% of his duels despite averaging just 13 minutes per top-flight outing.

Bajcetic has earned most of his experience in a defensive midfield role whilst rising through the ranks of the Liverpool academy, but he has also shown his capabilities at centre-back and, of course, to scoring effect in his one appearance in a central midfield role too.

Wolves haven’t lost inside 90 minutes in their last four matches in all competitions, a revival which has clearly been influenced by the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, so it won’t be an easy challenge for the Reds at Molineux tonight.

With that being said, bringing in Bajcetic could be the positive boost that the team needs, especially after the humiliating defeat to Brighton, and rotation will give Klopp the opportunity to rest a few of the first-team regulars who will be needed at Anfield against Chelsea on Saturday.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has reportedly made an enquiry for Real Betis’ Luiz Henrique, according to Dominic King. 

The Lowdown: Henrique profiled

Henrique is 22 years of age and is primarily an advanced winger, but can also turn out deeper as a more traditional wide midfielder if needed.  He only made the move to Betis last summer from Brazilian outfit Fluminense and is currently valued at a career-high €15m by Transfermarkt. 

The Brazilian is a pacy player who can operate on both flanks, but likes to cut in from the right and shoot with his stronger left foot. He has contributed to two La Liga goals in 15 appearances, and it looks as if he is of interest at Villa Park. 

The Latest: Enquiry made

King, a correspondent for The Daily Mail, took to Twitter on Tuesday to share an Aston Villa transfer update. 

He said that Villa have failed with a club-record bid to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, even though they were prepared to match a £45m release clause. The reporter then adds that ‘Emery has enquired’ about Henrique as an ‘alternative’ target. 

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The Verdict: look elsewhere?

You could say that Villa need to bring in another centre-forward to rival Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran after selling Danny Ings to West Ham. Villa may feel light of numbers in attack with just Watkins and Duran, and Henrique isn’t primarily a striker, so it may be wise to look elsewhere for now. 

A versatile forward like Gerard Deloufeu could be a wiser target instead of looking to sign Henrique, as the Udinese man is primarily a centre-forward and has previous Premier League experience, something which could be handy with one of Villa’s current attacking options, Duran, new to England and still developing. 

Arsenal will be looking to bring Jaidon Anthony back to the Emirates Stadium in the future after impressing at AFC Bournemouth recently, according to journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Gunners have been linked with interest in the 23-year-old from Hackney, having once been at the famed Hale End academy prior to his switch to the south coast, via the Daily Mail.

He’s out of contract in the summer and whether he will renew his current £10k-per-week deal remains to be seen.

Jones, speaking to Football FanCast, believes that it’s a move for the longer term.

He said:

“It’s not for right now.

“He’s not at the level whereby he would be expected to influence the first team at a moment like this.

“As part of the ongoing process in growing the squad, improving the potential and the depth chart – all of those things – I think, yeah, Arsenal will be looking at that.”

Anthony played a big role in the Cherries’ return to the Premier League, featuring in 45 of their 46 outings on their way to promotion, where he scored eight goals and laid on six assists.

He has since found game time hard to come by with just 544 minutes of action, though whenever called upon, he has delivered by still notching three goals, including the opener against Nottingham Forest in their most recent outing.

The 6-foot dynamo is capable of playing on either flank and having already come through the academy setup at London Colney, the Gunners could well unearth another Bukayo Saka, whom he once played alongside.

As per WhoScored, key passes and crossing are two key attributes of both Anthony and Saka, whilst the pair can also do the defensive work that Mikel Arteta loves, having averaged 1.3 and 1.2 tackles per game in the Premier League this term.

The promising winger, who was described as a “positive, powering forward” by journalist Josh Bunting, could well be an ideal homegrown depth option for Arsenal and whilst they may need to wait until the summer to sign him, he’d be one hell of a bargain on a free transfer.

Therefore, sporting director Edu Gaspar should look to sign another Saka in the form of the “under the radar” and “incredible” Anthony, as once lauded by his former boss Scott Parker.

AND in other news, Forget Nketiah & Saka: Arsenal’s “world-class” 88-touch “monster” just destroyed United…

Liverpool are ‘exploring’ a deal to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Klopp eyeing midfield upgrades?

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp could be plotting to upgrade his midfield options at Anfield going by recent reports as links continue to surround Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.

The Premier League giants have faded out of this year’s title race and could now be looking to salvage a European finish whilst planning for next season.

Bellingham, however, isn’t the only star midfielder who could make a move to Merseyside given Caicedo is even linked with a Liverpool transfer this month.

The Latest: Liverpool ‘exploring’ Caicedo deal…

Indeed, Liverpool are said to be ‘exploring’ a deal to sign the Seagulls star alongside other top flight competitors.

However, it will take a huge bid to persuade Caicedo’s club to sell mid-season.

Romano explained on Twitter:

“Three clubs are exploring Caicedo deal after new agents statement: Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are informed on the situation, as revealed on Monday.

“Brighton, not intentioned to sell unless they receive really huge proposal.”

The Verdict: Make the move?

Caicedo has played a starring role for Brighton under both Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi this season with the latter coach calling him a ‘big player’.

The Ecuador international has certainly stood out at the Amex statistically – ranking as their chief defensive anchor in midfield with more tackles per 90 on average than any Brighton player (WhoScored).

Out of every man in De Zerbi’s squad with over six league starts, only Alexis Mac Allister and Lewis Dunk have averaged a superior pass accuracy than the South American (88.2%).

Caicedo, as well as a robustness, would bring calmness and composure to Klopp’s midfield ranks with the 21-year-old also being called the ideal Liverpool signing.

Journalist Ryan Taylor has branded Brighton’s star as the ‘perfect fit’ for them, and since only Thiago has a better rate of challenges per 90 than him out of Liverpool’s squad, we’re inclined to agree.

Much of Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer window was focused on bringing in Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon and while that was eventually concluded on deadline day, the addition of Jude Soonsup-Bell from Chelsea could prove to be Fabio Paratici’s best piece of business.

The teenage striker was confirmed as a Spurs player on a deal until 2025 early on deadline day and will likely join up with the academy side, with the view of pushing into the first team in the near future.

The England U18 international had already made his first-team debut for Chelsea, appearing in their 2-0 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup last season.

However, it is his record with the youth sides at Stamford Bridge which makes him such an exciting addition by the Lilywhites this month, as he boasts 23 goals and two assists in just 25 appearances for the U18s.

Despite only turning 19 this month, Soonsup-Bell has also been a regular with the U21s at Chelsea, scoring five goals in 40 appearances, so there seems little to suggest that he can’t break into the first team at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the future.

Chelsea U18 coach Ed Brand was full of praise for the Englishman after he scored the winning goal in the U18 Premier League Cup against Fulham last season.

He said: “Jude is a top goalscorer. He showed great composure to get the ball out of his feet and finish well when he got his chance.

“He is a fantastic player at this level and he should be really proud.”

Considering that Harry Kane could be on his way out of the club at the end of the season, it was vital that Spurs looked to recruit prolific strikers for the future, and Soonsup-Bell certainly fits that mould.

While Porro will no doubt be a regular starter upon joining Antonio Conte’s side, he joins a squad that is already well-stocked at right wing-back, despite Djed Spence and Matt Doherty’s loan moves away on deadline day, whereas there seems to be a real lack of striking options at the north London club.

Therefore, if Soonsup-Bell can follow in the footsteps of Kane by progressing from Spurs’ academy into the first team, then his signing could prove to be a masterclass by Paratici in the future. Indeed, it has set their future up brightly.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their attempts to strengthen their squad during the previous transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid central midfielder Dani Ceballos rejected the chance to sign for Unai Emery’s Villans last month.

The report claims that the Spain international turned down offers from Villa and reigning Serie A champions AC Milan in order to remain with his current club, despite his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

It is stated that the player is not interested in a return to playing in the Premier League, where he worked with Emery at Arsenal, as the gem would like to stay in Spain.

John McGinn upgrade

Being rejected by Ceballos was a big blow for Emery and Johan Lange during the January transfer window as the dynamo could have been a big upgrade on current midfielder John McGinn.

The £53k-per-week Real maestro is a technical wizard who combines quality in possession with hard graft and defensive contributions off the ball.

As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 1% for take-ons and progressive passes while also sitting in the top 10% for overall passes and pass competition percentage per 90 over the last 365 days.

This suggests that the former Arsenal loanee has been one of the best central midfielders on the continent for building up play from the middle of the park, by either dribbling past opposition players or taking them out of the game with line-splitting passes to get his team up the pitch.

McGinn, on the other hand, only ranks higher than the top 49% of players in take-ons per 90 and is in the bottom 17% for pass completion percentage, which suggests that the Real Madrid gem would be a significant upgrade on the Scotland international in terms of what he offers in possession.

Along with that, Ceballos, who was once hailed as “ludicrously graceful” by journalist James Benge, ranks in the top 9% of midfielders for blocks and interceptions per 90, which shows that the Spaniard does not shy away from his defensive responsibility.

McGinn, meanwhile, ranks in the top 10% for tackles and interceptions, although he does not crack the top 40% for blocks per 90, numbers that indicate they are both very active defenders for their sides.

Therefore, Ceballos would have been an upgrade on the Villa skipper in midfield due to their similar defensive contributions and the massive gap in quality in what they offer in possession.

Manchester United left it late to secure all three points away to bitter rivals Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho sealing the win for Erik ten Hag’s men amid what was a hard-fought encounter in Yorkshire.

Just days on from the thrilling, 2-2 draw at Old Trafford – in which the hosts had been forced to come from two goals behind – the Red Devils were again far from at their best this time around, having been forced to produce a dogged display against their managerless hosts.

Following what was a rather limp 70 minutes or so from the visitors, a rare moment of quality saw emerging talisman Rashford header home for his eighth goal in his last nine Premier League appearances, before substitute Garnacho lashed in superbly soon after to make sure of the points.

That battling performance has ensured that United still have a flickering of hope in the title race, with one key factor in that crucial result having been the standout performance of Luke Shaw in the backline.

How did Luke Shaw play against Leeds?

The 27-year-old showcased his growing versatility after once again “excelling” in a centre-back berth, in the words of Statman Dave, before later switching to his usual full-back role to help play a vital part in the away side’s opener.

That second half, tactical tweak from Ten Hag – in which Lisandro Martinez entered the fray on the hour mark – allowed the Englishman the license to get forward down the left flank, with that move almost immediately paying off as he provided a “superb” cross to tee up his compatriot Rashford to header home, as per journalist Josh Bunting.

Such a moment of quality was one of two key passes that the £150k-per-week ace produced from his 87 touches, having also completed two of his three dribbles and won four fouls for his side with his ability to drive forward from deep.

Not just an asset in an attacking sense, the one-time Southampton man also proved his class defensively after winning ten of his 15 duels on the day – including eight of his 11 ground duels – having also produced a vital block from Luke Ayling’s driven effort.

There were still lapses of concentration from the long-serving defender as he lost possession on 19 occasions – inadvertently sliding in Crysencio Summerville at one stage – although on the whole the 28-cap titan truly stole the show due to his adaptability and quality in both of his defensive roles.

That rock-solid performance unsurprisingly saw the 6 foot 1 machine record a remarkable match rating of 8.1, as per Sofascore, with that only bettered by teammate David De Gea (8.3)  among any player for either side.

One of ‘the few cool heads’ inside a heated cauldron at Elland Road – according to Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst – Shaw seemingly proved that he is now a leading, senior figure in Ten Hag’s side.

Everton are reportedly ready to make a move for Udinese striker Beto this summer, after having a bid rejected for him in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Bid rejected

The Goodison Park outfit reportedly had a bid worth €25m (£22m) plus bonuses rejected by Udinese on transfer Deadline Day, meaning that they went through the window without making a senior signing.

They also ended up selling winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United, so will be expected to be looking for attacking reinforcements come the summer.

The Latest: Beto return?

As per Italian news outlet Mondo Udinese, Everton are ‘ready for an assault’ for Beto again this summer, but would have to pay between €25-30m (£22-26m) for his signature.

After rejecting a similar offer in January, Udinese could be less reluctant to let him go this time, given that would have more time to replace him.

The Verdict: Striker needed

Even though Sean Dyche got off to a good start as Everton manager, winning 1-0 at home to the Premier League leaders Arsenal, it is clear that they still need help in the final third.

They remain the second-lowest scorers in the top flight, with just 16 goals scored in 21 games, and so are in need of more firepower come the summer.

Hailed as a ‘big’ striker with a ‘physical presence’ by Blues legend Kevin Campbell, the six-foot-three Beto has proven to be a handful for defenders in Italy, scoring seven goals and making a further two assists in total overall competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

Of all forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, Beto also ranks in the 89th percentile for non-penalty xG per game, showing that he can still become even more clinical in front of goal.

Nonetheless, a deal for the 25-year-old would make sense in the summer, providing that the Toffees can stay up of course.