Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday dumped FA Cup holders Liverpool out of the competition, as Hollywood star and Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds saw his non-league side denied a dramatic win by Sheffield United in a six-goal thriller.
Kaoru Mitoma’s brilliant control and finish in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win was another enormous blow to Liverpool, whose season is fast unraveling just months after they came close to winning a historic quadruple.
The Reds had led at the Amex through Harvey Elliott, but have now won just once in their past six games in all competitions.
Photo: AFP
Lewis Dunk leveled before the break for the home side, and they were well worth their place in the fifth round courtesy of a moment of magic from Mitoma.
The Japanese winger cushioned Pervis Estupinan’s cross into his path, flicked the ball over Joe Gomez and fired high past Alisson Becker in the 92nd minute.
“He is an incredible player who I think can play one step higher,” Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi said. “I am pleased for his goal.”
Liverpool are languishing in ninth in the English Premier League, 21 points behind pacesetters Arsenal. An FA Cup exit leaves the UEFA Champions League as their only remaining shot at a trophy this season.
“I am not over the moon about this performance, but, again, the only thing that happened really is that we lost against a good side, who we lost to two weeks ago in a horrendous game,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said. “Today was much better.”
“We are obviously in a situation where we constantly want to make the final step. That’s why it feels now especially bad in this moment because it didn’t happen,” he said.
Wrexham are the last non-league club left in the competition, but were left disappointed as John Egan made it 3-3 in the dying seconds for the 10-man Blades.
The hosts could not have got off to a worse start as Oli McBurnie headed Sheffield United in front after 61 seconds.
Sheffield manager Paul Heckingbottom’s side look set for a return to the Premier League next season, but they were rocked by a pulsating atmosphere inside the Racecourse Ground.
James Jones and Thomas O’Connor struck within 11 minutes early in the second half to turn the tie around. Oli Norwood quickly leveled, but the momentum swung Wrexham’s way once more when Daniel Jebbison was sent off 20 minutes from time.
Paul Mullin looked to have pulled off the shock of the round with a calm finish 4 minutes from time, only for Egan to break Wrexham hearts by turning home a corner at the death.
“I’m so proud of everyone,” Mullin said. “We’ve worked so hard to get here. We came into the game thinking we could win and we had a game plan. Unfortunately it hasn’t quite paid off, but I think when the dust settles tomorrow we’ll be proud of it.”
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