LiveScore Daily: Today’s football news in bite-sized chunks
LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.
Drought of order
Eddie Howe is determined to end Newcastle's trophy drought after steering the Magpies into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Dan Burn and Joelinton struck in a victory over Leicester to send the North East outfit into the last four for the first time since 1976.
Newcastle have not won a major domestic trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 1955 and Howe, 45, is out to set that right.
He said: "It’s too long, too long a wait. That’s no criticism of anyone that’s tried, but we’re desperate to hurry up the processes and try to get the team successful as quickly as possible.
"That’s easier said than done, and we now go to a semi-final. Getting to the semi-final is one thing, but you want to get into the final, you want to experience that.
"We know we’ll have a huge test ahead of us whoever we get, but we’re just delighted to be in there."
Asked if his side would fear anyone in tonight’s draw, he added: "I don’t think fear is the right word. I think we respect whoever is left, but I don’t think fear is right.
"The two-legged semi-final is a different dynamic, but we’re just looking forward to it at this moment, and we’ll start preparing when the draw is made."
Cautious Cottagers
Fulham manager Marco Silva is not underestimating the threat posed by West London neighbours Chelsea ahead of Thursday’s Premier League encounter.
Silva’s men welcome the Blues to Craven Cottage three points ahead of the visitors, who sit 10th in the table.
The Cottagers have won all four matches since they returned to action following the World Cup break and have already accumulated as many points (28) as they had in 2020-21, when they were relegated under Scott Parker.
Before the meeting with Graham Potter’s side, Silva said: "Even with some injuries — and you know we are not with our full squad as well for the match — they are always Chelsea.
"And I think it is clear that two seasons ago they won the Champions League, this season they spent more than £300million, we cannot talk about all these things.
"I think it is clear the high quality they have in their squad, for me there are no doubts about it.
"It’s more for Potter to decide who will be in the XI and I will do the same with my squad."
Blend it like Beckham
David Beckham tried his best to fade into the background in a winter coat as he watched son Romeo make his Brentford B debut.
The Manchester United legend, 47, was spotted at the London Senior Cup clash between Erith & Belvedere and the Bees' reserves.
New signing Romeo, 20, came off the bench after 55 minutes as Brentford won 3-2 thanks to an injury-time strike from Michael Olakigbe.
The youngster had a couple of chances to open his account as he flicked an effort over the bar soon after coming on and hit the woodwork with a header 18 minutes from time.
Pep's plot
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned opposite number Erik ten Hag that he is planning to spring a few surprises in Saturday's derby.
The Citizens face Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off with both teams enjoying some good form in 2023.
City are just four points clear of their old foes going into the clash and are trying to keep pace with leaders Arsenal.
Guardiola said: "I have a few ideas, thoughts — ridiculous ones — against United but I haven't watched their last game yet.
"I have to see the way they play at home and if they change something. I still have to review it, that is why I don’t have a clear line-up [yet]."
Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were among the players rested for the FA Cup rout of Chelsea and Guardiola is paying close attention to how involved his stars are ahead of tonight's Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Southampton.
He added: "The [Cup] game against Chelsea I made a lot of changes for one reason, how tired I saw some players after the trip.
"We arrived back too late and in the training the day after I saw the players were tired. It also depends on those who didn’t play against Chelsea.
"I would like to arrive against United with the average of minutes in the legs of the players quite similar."
Skinner's rallying call
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has urged supporters to create a "cauldron" atmosphere for their home clash with Liverpool.
Skinner’s side sit third in the Women’s Super League table ahead of Sunday’s game, five points behind leaders Chelsea.
Facing their first league meeting with their Merseyside rivals since September 2019, Skinner said: "We have to make it a cauldron and give Liverpool nothing.
"We will be super focused and super charged, the way our fans treat it is how we treat it.
"It will take time to build the history the men's game has but Liverpool will be playing with the same intensity as us.
"For us it is exciting, the type of game we want to be at.
"Liverpool are a really good team, and going forward I think it will be like the men's rivalry. Our job is to put in the performances to maintain the standards of this game."
The Heat is On
Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has praised boss Erik ten Hag for his disciplinarian approach.
The Red Devils won their eight match in a row with a 3-0 victory over Charlton in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie, with Heaton making his first start for the Premier League giants.
Heaton, 36, has been impressed with the Dutch coach and his methods.
United’s No22 said: "He has brought a clear messaging, clear lines of what’s acceptable and what’s not.
"When you cross it, he’s there to put you back in your place. Off the back of that, we’ve been a little bit more successful so far.
"Nobody is getting carried away, one game at a time, but when results are improving and everything is moving forward a little bit more, everyone is on the bandwagon and pushing for that and wanting that.
"Everyone has a different view on it, that would be fair. My personal view is that I think that really does make a difference."