Sunday’s briefing: The FA Cup continues to cheer and excite

The FA Cup was in full swing on Saturday as Manchester City overcame a potential scare to beat Leyton Orient, while Newcastle left it late to defeat Birmingham in their tie.

Premier League teams Fulham, Bournemouth, Ipswich and Brighton all reached the fifth round along with EFL teams Burnley, Cardiff, Preston and Millwall.

In the women’s competition, current holders Manchester United eased into the quarter-finals with a thumping victory over third-tier Wolves and in LaLiga a tense Madrid derby ended in a draw.

City avoid FA Cup slip at Orient

Manchester City overcame a potential FA Cup banana skin as they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win at Leyton Orient.

Luke Williams impressed by Swansea debutant Lewis O’Brien in win at Bristol City

Down native helps Plymouth stun Premier League leaders Liverpool in FA Cup

The Sky Bet League One hosts took a surprise lead after 16 minutes when an incredible 40-yard lob by Jamie Donley smashed the crossbar and bounced in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

However, City clawed their way back into the contest when Abdukodir Khusanov diverted in Rico Lewis’ shot to level before substitute Kevin De Bruyne sent them into the fifth round and boss Pep Guardiola praised his team’s behaviour in a “tight” game.

He said: “It is my ninth season in England. I play many times in lower divisions and in this incredible competition, so the vibe, the smell of the crowd and everything, you play in FA Cup and you don’t find it in other places, especially in these games.

“I remember Newport, with Michael Flynn the manager, with Cheltenham and many others. Always we behave really good and we were lucky at the end because they had chances, but we created a lot and the keeper (Josh Keeley) was really, really good.

“Yeah, it was a tight game and we knew it for the situation that we have, but we behave really well, we react really well with great character and yeah, we are in the next round. It is always nice.”

Willock wows for Newcastle

Newcastle also avoided a potential FA Cup upset as Joe Willock’s brace helped the Magpies clinch a 3-2 win over Birmingham.

The League One side took the lead just 40 seconds in through Ethan Laird, but the Magpies responded with two goals in five minutes from Willock and Callum Wilson.

Tomoki Iwata’s venomous effort saw Birmingham draw level and although the game looked set to wind into extra time, Willock bagged his second goal to snatch victory.

Elsewhere, the competition saw Fulham beat League One Wigan 2-1 and Championship side Burnley beat Premier League strugglers Southampton 1-0, while top-flight teams Bournemouth, Ipswich and Brighton all progressed.

Millwall beat Leeds 2-0 and penalty shoot-out wins helped Cardiff and Preston book their spot in the fifth round.

Dream debut for Griffiths

Seventeen-year-old Mared Griffiths impressed from the bench for Manchester United as she scored a late brace to help the current Women’s FA Cup holders reach the quarter-finals.

Women’s Super League outfit United earned a 6-0 victory over third-tier Wolves and took a 2-0 lead into half-time through Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton.

Aoife Mannion and Ella Toone got on the scoresheet before substitute Griffiths was introduced in the 81st minute and scored twice in seven minutes.

Aston Villa also reached the last eight of the competition after coming from behind to beat WSL rivals Brighton 3-2.

Anna Patten swiftly equalised from Nikita Parris’ opener and Villa charged ahead after half-time with goals from Rachel Daly and Chastity Grant before Parris pulled one back.

Spoils shared in Madrid derby

Kylian Mbappe’s equaliser earned a point for Real Madrid as they drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu.

A tense Madrid derby saw Atletico go in front through Julian Alvarez’s penalty kick, but Real shortly levelled after the break when Mbappe struck.

An entertaining game saw a series of chances from the hosts in the second half and Jan Oblak made some brilliant saves to keep the score level.

The draw means Real at the top of the LaLiga table, holding a narrow one-point lead over second-placed Atletico and are five points ahead of Barcelona, who are in action on Sunday.

What’s on today?

More FA Cup action is in store on Sunday as Blackburn face Wolves in the lunchtime kick-off before bottom-of-the-Championship Plymouth host Premier League leaders Liverpool.

An all-Premier League clash also sees Aston Villa take on Tottenham later in the day.

The Women’s FA Cup continues as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition Rugby Borough face WSL outfit Liverpool and top-flight sides Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are also in action.

Barcelona face Sevilla in LaLiga and a packed Sunday Serie A schedule concludes with leaders Napoli hosting Udinese in the late kick-off.