Premier League and FA Cup semis: 10 talking points from the weekend

1 Spurs roll out red carpet at Anfield

In April 1964 a side from north London came to Anfield with Liverpool one good result from winning the league, and conceded five. “Arsenal did little to allay the general suspicion that they were there just to be sacrificed,” Eric Todd wrote in his report for the Guardian. This time it was Tottenham but otherwise, for anyone whose memory stretches back 61 years it was a familiar story. Time and again Spurs meekly surrendered possession in dangerous areas, and while they defended in numbers – which suggests willing – they did so with terrifying inefficiency, which suggests poor organisation. Their focus is now fully on the Europa League, but if Liverpool had been a little more ruthless this would have been truly another real embarrassment in a season full of them. In April 1988 it was Spurs themselves who came to Anfield with Liverpool needing one point to guarantee the title. It had been a terrible season for Tottenham, and they were only just outside the bottom three. They lost 1-0. “Tottenham remain in the relegation penumbra,” wrote Stephen Bierley in his Guardian report. “Strange it seems that nobody much under the age of 30 will remember them being champions. Who would have thought it?” Simon Burnton

View image in fullscreen Liverpool’s victory was so comprehensive that Mohamed Salah was able to stop for selfies after scoring their fourth goal. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

2 Focused City getting stronger

In Manchester City’s cuffing aside of Nottingham Forest Mateo Kovacic was the star turn, as one of two No 6s fielded as Pep Guardiola’s side swarmed all over their opponents in a manner not always seen this season. “We found ourselves again,” said the Croatian midfielder. “The team is getting stronger, everyone is 100% focused. A lot of players came back very strong. When we are all back we are a strong team. This season has not been how we wanted but we are in another FA Cup final [against Crystal Palace] and in the top four. I think it was a deserved win for us. They are a strong team, they came back, they had a few chances but I think it’s a deserved win.” Jamie Jackson

FA Cup report: Nottm Forest 0-2 Man City

3 Shaw may suit Amorim’s system

Luke Shaw’s United career has been far lengthier than many a legend of the type Manchester United fans regale in song, as they look to their glorious past rather than grim present. Injury and difficult relations with at least one manager in José Mourinho have often curbed a career not without highlights. It was Shaw who scored England’s goal in the Euro 2020 final, and his nation yearned for him throughout the last Euros, where his only start came in the final. Until Bournemouth, that had been Shaw’s most recent start in any match but he completed the full match on Sunday. He might now become a rare United player who actually fits Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation. “Of course we need to be careful with his availability, he was the guy to overload that side,” said the manager. “He has quality in the last third, he has a good pass. He’s really good on crosses, he has a lot of quality.” John Brewin

View image in fullscreen Luke Shaw started his first game since the Euro 2024 final at Bournemouth. Photograph: Sean Ryan/Shutterstock

4 Kamada is on the money for Palace

Daichi Kamada is the best-paid player at Crystal Palace, a detail that until very recently seemed a terrible indictment of the club’s transfer policy last summer. Oliver Glasner was clearly irritated by the fact that four players arrived on deadline day, but the issue was perhaps less the personnel than the timing. Of those four, Trevoh Chalobah impressed before Chelsea terminated his loan and Maxence Lacroix has been a revelation, while Eddie Nketiah and Matt Turner have added depth. Kamada, who shone under Glasner at Eintracht Frankfurt, was the real disappointment, struggling with the pace of the Premier League to the extent that Wednesday’s draw at Arsenal was only the fifth Premier League game in which he completed 90 minutes. He was a surprise starter at Wembley and had an excellent game, both in keeping the ball moving and breaking up play. The signs are he could be an extremely valuable player over the next couple of seasons. Jonathan Wilson

FA Cup report: Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa

5 Different directions but shared memories

Confirmation that travelling from League One to the Premier League in two years was a field too far for Ipswich arrived at the end of an often bad-tempered match. Visiting fans brought good humour and unconditional devotion for Kieran McKenna’s ill-disciplined team. If a much-missed knight would have enjoyed the wonderfully evocative chants of “only one Bobby Robson” from both sets of supporters, Robson’s former clubs are heading in opposite directions. While the Champions League beckons for Newcastle, Ipswich’s Championship return is rubber-stamped and McKenna said he was “humbled” by the travelling support’s generous applause for his players at the final whistle. With Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier excelling, Ipswich’s Ben Johnson sent off for two bookable offences and Julio Enciso lucky to get away with elbowing Sandro Tonali, an Alexander Isak penalty followed by headers from Dan Burn and Will Osula separated divergent sides united by their mutual treasuring of Robson’s memory. Louise Taylor

skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Football Daily Free daily newsletter Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion

View image in fullscreen The statue of Bobby Robson outside St James’ Park; the manager is revered by Newcastle and Ipswich fans alike. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

6 Semedo aims high … and could stay

Nélson Semedo believes Wolves can follow Nottingham Forest’s example and compete for Champions League qualification next season – and hinted that he could still be a part of it. Vítor Pereira’s team have won six successive top-flight games for the first time in 55 years and will equal their all-time record, achieved in 1946, if they beat Manchester City on Friday. The Wolves captain said: “Nottingham are doing really well and are one of the examples … fighting for the Champions League places. Why can’t we do that as well?” Semedo has been outstanding for Wolves over the past two seasons and, out of contract this summer and their highest earner, is expected to leave on a free transfer. But he said after the win over Leicester that there is a chance he could be a part of Wolves’ new era. “Obviously,” he said. “We’re still in conversations and I think it’s possible.” Peter Lansley

7 Potter feeling blue after late twist

A week after Niclas Füllkrug’s perhaps-too-honest interview, Graham Potter made his feelings about West Ham’s 3-2 loss against Brighton known. Potter said: “I’m not a robot … Of course I’m going to be upset … If you want me to swear, I can swear.” The manner in which West Ham threw the game away was what really annoyed him. Tomas Soucek put them 2-1 up with seven minutes to go after Yasin Ayari’s stunning opener and Mohammed Kudus’ equaliser. It looked like the start of Potter’s redemption arc – a 2-1 victory over his former club marking West Ham’s first comeback win of the season. But, it was too good to be true for a team who have mustered a meagre 13 points since Potter took charge in January. Kaoru Mitoma’s levelling header upset him, and then Carlos Baleba’s beautiful curler to win it was too much to take. Only Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich have picked up fewer points than Potter’s West Ham in his 14 games. Luckily for him, all three are now officially relegated. Xaymaca Awoyungbo

View image in fullscreen Graham Potter (right) applauds the West Ham fans after the loss at Brighton. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

8 Sessegnon shining under Silva

The list of attack-minded players Marco Silva has improved in his time at Fulham continues to grow. Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira and Harry Wilson can all credit the manager for reigniting their careers at Craven Cottage. We can now add Ryan Sessegnon to that cohort, with the former teenage prodigy returning to something like his sparkling best in recent weeks, scoring four goals since late February. It’sa decent return for a left-back, but the point is Silva is now willing to trust Sessegnon to start in a variety of positions. Perhaps that £25m move to Tottenham in 2019 came too soon for Sessegnon, then just 18. Back in the comforts of Craven Cottage and now 24, a more mature player is coming to the fore as Fulham eye a top-eight finish. Dominic Booth

9 Jackson back in groove as Palmer toils

Chelsea’s Champions League push gained momentum with a win against Everton, fuelled by Nicolas Jackson breaking his scoring drought and Noni Madueke’s influential performance on the left. The 23-year-old, denied a goal only by Jordan Pickford’s solid goalkeeping, was a constant threat, leading in touches in the opposition box (seven) and shots on target (four). His impactful display earned him a deserved standing ovation upon his substitution for Jadon Sancho. The lingering concern for Chelsea, however, is Cole Palmer’s dramatic dip in form. His barren goalless run now stretches to 17 matches, 1,382 minutes and he remained ineffective on Saturday. Enzo Maresca, however, was steadfast in his player’s defence: “Hopefully Cole can score goals soon but I think his performance was very good. He sacrificed his play and was pressing well. It is just a matter of time.” Yara El-Shaboury

10 What ifs remain for fallen Forest

What if Rico Lewis hadn’t connected so sweetly in the second minute? It could have allowed Nottingham Forest to settle under the Wembley sunshine, a scene Manchester City are far more accustomed to. What if Anthony Elanga had started? He got things moving after a stodgy first-half display. What if Morgan Gibbs-White had gone an inch the other way when he found the crossbar and then the post? The questions will echo round pubs by the Trent, after an opportunity missed by Forest to reach their first FA Cup final since 1991. Gibbs-White made his dejection clear: “It’s devastating.” Despite how momentous Forest’s season has been – the Champions League remains in view – a touch of regret will remain. Taha Hashim

Click here to read article