Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Everton.
Newcastle’s away-day frustrations continued as they were unable to find a breakthrough against rock-bottom Wolves, held to a goalless draw at Molineux.
Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool were among the big winners as the goals flowed in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Villa miss their moment
Aston Villa could have gone within four points of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday but failed to take the opportunity as Thierno Barry’s second-half strike gave Everton a welcome 1-0 win at Villa Park to boost their own European hopes.
It ended an 11-game home winning run for Unai Emery’s side and left them in third place, still level on points with Manchester City, but the manager could still argue with good reason that his side are exceeding all expectations this term.
“We lost the opportunity to be second in the league, something fantastic,” the Spaniard said. “But after feeling our frustration at losing this match, we must try and recover our good, positive way we are doing.”
Injury-hit Everton became the first team to win at Villa Park since August, moving to within four points of city rivals Liverpool who sit in fourth place.
“It’s a brilliant performance, with what we had coming here, it looked a big challenge with the players we had out,” David Moyes said. “It was a huge day for two or three players who stepped up.”
Toothless Magpies held at Molineux
Newcastle failed to register a first-half shot on target as they were held by basement boys Wolves, making it six of their last 11 away games in which Eddie Howe’s side have failed to score.
Althogh Jose Sa was called on to make a double save from Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton late on, Newcastle offered far too little going forward and Wolves, some 14 points adrift of safety, had opportunities of their own in a largely poor quality affair.
“We needed to do more in attack,” Howe said. “I expected us to do better and create more. We attacked better the longer the game went on, substitutions helped and some good openings towards the end, but a frustrating day.”
The goalless draw meant Wolves picked up their second successive clean sheet at home and stretched their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions.
“I’m really pleased with that, it’s another step forward and a clean sheet against a top team,” Rob Edwards said. “We are looking solid, there is no doubt about that.”
Goals flow in Women’s FA Cup
Manchester City and Liverpool scored six each and Manchester United found the net five times as 12 ties in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup produced 55 goals on Sunday.
Substitute Vivianne Miedema scored twice for Women’s Super League leaders City in a 6-0 rout of Bournemouth, Liverpool put their league struggles to one side in a 6-0 rout of fourth-tier London Bees, and United thrashed Burnley 5-0 with goals from Maya Le Tissier, Julia Zigiotti, Simi Awujo, Lea Schuller and Layla Drury.
Second-half goals from Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little earned Arsenal a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Tottenham beat Leicester 3-0 behind goals from Bethany England, Drew Spence and Lenna Gunning-Williams, and Amalie Thestrup hit a hat-trick as Charlton routed Swindon 10-0.
Madison Haley from the penalty spot and Jelena Cankovic struck in added time at the end of either half to ease Brighton to a 2-0 win over WSL2 side Nottingham Forest, and Emily Syme completed a double deep into extra-time to edge Bristol City to a 2-1 win at Southampton.
Elsewhere, Birmingham won 6-2 at Hull, Charlie Devlin’s double was enough to see Sheffield United past WSL2 rivals Ipswich and Oxford saw off Middlesbrough, while Chatham got the better of York 3-0 in a showdown between two fourth-tier outfits.
What’s on today?
The Premier League focus will be on the south coast where Brighton host Bournemouth.
Under-pressure Spurs boss Thomas Frank will face the media among a number of press conferences to preview Tuesday’s Champions League action.
