Man City Beat Salford, Newcastle Knock Out Villa, Mansfield Town Stun Burnley in FA Cup

Mansfield Town's English midfielder #25 Louis Reed (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley, northwest England on February 14, 2026. (AFP)
Mansfield Town's English midfielder #25 Louis Reed (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley, northwest England on February 14, 2026. (AFP)
TT

Man City Beat Salford, Newcastle Knock Out Villa, Mansfield Town Stun Burnley in FA Cup

Mansfield Town's English midfielder #25 Louis Reed (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley, northwest England on February 14, 2026. (AFP)
Mansfield Town's English midfielder #25 Louis Reed (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley, northwest England on February 14, 2026. (AFP)

Manchester City beat League Two Salford City 2-0 in the FA Cup to move into the fifth round on Saturday as January signing Marc Guehi scored his first goal for the Premier League club while Burnley were stunned 2-1 by League One side Mansfield Town.

Sandro Tonali's double inspired Newcastle United to a 3-1 comeback win over 10-man Aston Villa, while Mohamed Salah scored as Liverpool beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0.

West Ham United needed extra time to beat Burton Albion 1-0 while Norwich City claimed a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester City had thrashed Salford 8-0 in the third round last year and Pep Guardiola's second-string side did not take long to take the lead as Alfie Dorrington turned in Rayan Ait-Nouri's dangerous cross for an own goal in the sixth minute.

Omar Marmoush thought he had scored City's second, but his celebrations were cut short when the offside flag went up.

Replays showed the Egyptian was onside but Video Assistant Referees and Semi-Automated Offside Technology are not in use until the fifth round of the competition, with Guardiola ‌seen wagging his finger ‌at the linesman.

TRAFFORD TO CITY'S RESCUE

City dominated for most of the half but Salford nearly ‌equalized late ⁠on and the ⁠home side had James Trafford to thank as the keeper denied Ben Woodburn with a sharp save when his shot looked destined for the top corner.

"We had to work really hard. They did really well, defended really well and they had belief that grew through the game. We got there in the end and got the good win," Trafford told the BBC.

Salford continued to probe after the restart as Trafford once again came to the rescue and Guardiola had seen enough, bringing on the cavalry in the form of Antoine Semenyo, Guehi and Nico O'Reilly.

The home side doubled their lead in the 81st minute when Matty Young palmed away Rayan Cherki's cross into the box and the ball fell ⁠to Guehi, who tapped in from close range.

Guehi was with Crystal Palace last month when the ‌holders were knocked out by non-league Macclesfield in one of the FA Cup's greatest ‌upsets, but the new rules meant he was no longer cup-tied and able to play for City.

BURNLEY KNOCKED OUT, WEST HAM THROUGH

Burnley were beaten 2-1 ‌at home by Mansfield thanks to skipper Louis Reed's second-half free kick as the third-tier side eliminated a top-flight club for ‌the first time since 1969.

Josh Laurent had given Burnley the lead in the first half while Rhys Oates equalized early in the second before Reed's glorious free kick sailed into the top corner to spark wild celebrations in the away end.

"Soon as it left my boot, I felt it going in. I have been working on them throughout the week," Reed said.

"The lads said, 'This is your moment, go and take it'. Thankfully, I did!"

In Saturday's ‌early kickoff, West Ham, who are also battling relegation alongside Burnley, needed an extra-time goal from the in-form Crysencio Summerville to see off Burton as they claimed a 1-0 victory at ⁠the Pirelli Stadium.

Summerville made a solo ⁠run from the left wing, cutting in before curling his effort into the top corner for his sixth goal in seven games across all competitions.

But West Ham were made to sweat after Freddie Potts was sent off, with Burton coming close to an equalizer twice in the dying stages.

TONALI INSPIRES NEWCASTLE COMEBACK

Newcastle overcame Villa in an incident-packed encounter at Villa Park.

Tammy Abraham appeared to be offside when he bagged a controversial opener for Villa before home goalkeeper Marco Bizot was sent off for fouling Jacob Murphy before halftime.

The Magpies rallied after the break. Tonali scored twice, including a sublime long-range effort, to turn the tie and substitute Nick Woltemade added a third.

"The officials don't make any decision on purpose, it's just what they think at the time, but without VAR, I thought there were a lot of errors today," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.

SALAH PENALTY SEALS LIVERPOOL WIN

Liverpool delivered a commanding win over Brighton as Curtis Jones struck first with a composed finish before Dominik Szoboszlai hammered home a second, capping a slick team move.

Mohamed Salah sealed the result by converting a penalty after being fouled by Pascal Gross.

"It's very nice to have him on the scoresheet again (Salah), but he also helps the team a lot defensively, and that is something very positive," Liverpool coach Arne Slot told reporters.

The FA Cup fifth round draw is on Monday.



Nine-man Bayern Come from Behind to Rescue 1-1 Draw at Leverkusen

14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
TT

Nine-man Bayern Come from Behind to Rescue 1-1 Draw at Leverkusen

14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich had two players sent off and two goals disallowed but came back from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Bayern have 67 points ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who closed the gap to nine after a 2-0 home victory over Augsburg, with eight games remaining, Reuters reported.

The Bavarians, fresh from Tuesday's 6-1 demolition of Atalanta in the Champions League last 16, had Nicolas Jackson sent off for a wild ⁠tackle before the ⁠break. Forward Luis Diaz, who scored a 69th-minute equalizer, joined him on the sidelines after a second booking for diving. The hosts made a perfect start when Garcia fired them into the lead as Bayern, with top scorer Harry Kane on the bench, failed to settle.

They put the ball in the net through Jonathan ⁠Tah but the effort was disallowed following a VAR review for hand ball. It got worse three minutes from halftime when Jackson was dismissed for his reckless tackle on Martin Terrier.

Malik Tillman should have added another for Leverkusen when he was sent through with a clever Patrik Schick backheel but the US international fired wide with only Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich to beat.

Bayern's third-choice keeper, making a rare appearance due to injuries to Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig, also denied Schick in a one-on-one.

Kane, back ⁠after missing two ⁠matches with a muscle injury, challenged keeper Janis Blaswich and tapped in from close range a minute after coming on, only for the goal to be disallowed for handball by the England captain.

Diaz did better, slotting in after a defensive blunder from Robert Andrich and Michael Olise's record-breaking 17th assist of the season, to level but he got his marching orders six minutes from time for a spectacular dive in the box. There was more late drama when the hosts thought they had won it in stoppage time through substitute Jonas Hofmann's close-range effort but a VAR review showed a narrow offside position.


Iran Says Wants to Play World Cup Matches in Mexico

Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)
Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)
TT

Iran Says Wants to Play World Cup Matches in Mexico

Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)
Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)

Iran has suggested to move its World Cup matches from the United States to co-hosts Mexico in connection with the Middle East war.

Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali was quoted by state news agency Irna as saying that they would look into the proposal together with the world governing body FIFA.

"I hope that conditions can be created so that our boys can take part at the World Cup after all," Donyamali said.

"It is important to make careful use of all sporting aspects to ensure that participation is still possible.”

Iran are set to face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage with all three matches to be played in the US, which hosts the June 11-July 19 tournament together with Mexico and Canada.

The US and Israel have been carrying out air strikes against Iran since February 28. Tehran is carrying out counterstrikes in the region.

Donyamali ruled out Iran's participation at the World Cup on Wednesday.

US President Donald trump said the next day it was not "appropriate" for Iran to play for safety reasons. Iran dismissed this, saying that decisions were made solely by FIFA.


Iran State Media Says Two More Footballers Pull Australia Asylum Bids

The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP
The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP
TT

Iran State Media Says Two More Footballers Pull Australia Asylum Bids

The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP
The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP

Two more players of the Iranian women's football team, which competed in the Asian Cup in Australia, and one member of the backroom staff have withdrawn their requests for asylum in the country, Iranian state media said on Saturday.

Seven members of the visiting women's football delegation -- six players and one backroom staff member -- had sought sanctuary in Australia after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem during the ongoing war between Iran and the US and its ally Israel, AFP reported.

One of the players had withdrawn her request earlier in the week and linked up with the rest of the team who are returning to Iran via Malaysia, according to Iranian media and Australian authorities.

State broadcaster IRIB said on Saturday "two players and a member of the technical staff of the women's national football team, have given up on their asylum application in Australia and are currently heading to Malaysia."

It posted a picture of the three women -- wearing the Islamic hijab -- as they were apparently about to board a plane.

The rest of the team are believed to still be in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur awaiting their return to Iran.

According to Australian authorities, the first woman who changed her mind over the asylum application exposed the location of the other asylum seekers when she contacted Iran's embassy in Australia.

They were then forced to change the safe house where they were living.

Rights groups have repeatedly accused Iranian authorities of pressuring athletes abroad by threatening relatives or with the seizure of property if they defect or make statements against the Islamic republic.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has lauded the bravery of the women, vowing they would be welcomed with open arms.

But Iran's governing football body has accused Australia of kidnapping the players and forcing them to forsake their home nation against their will.

Iranian players fell silent as the national anthem played ahead of a tournament match in Australia, an act seen as a symbol of defiance against the Islamic republic.

A presenter on Iranian state TV branded the players "wartime traitors", fuelling fears they faced persecution, or worse, if they returned home.

Five players, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim asylum in Australia.

Two more team members -- a player and a support staffer -- claimed asylum before the team flew out of Sydney earlier this week.