Chelsea reached the FA Cup quarterfinals after goals in extra time from Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro sealed a 2–0 win over hosts Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday.

The match was tightly contested, with Wrexham putting in an incredible effort to keep the score level during normal time. The breakthrough came in extra time when Garnacho rose to meet a precise cross and powered the ball into the net, giving Chelsea the lead. João Pedro later added a second to secure the win.

The game was also marked by a dramatic VAR moment. Wrexham midfielder George Dobson was initially shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Garnacho. However, after a review prompted by Video Assistant Referee Paul Howard, referee Peter Bankes upgraded the decision to a straight red card for serious foul play.

“After review, Wrexham No 15 catches his opponent high with intensity,” Bankes announced to the crowd. “The final decision is a red card for serious foul play.”

The incident highlighted the difference between Wrexham’s usual Championship games, which do not use VAR, and top-tier matches where video technology is in play.

Despite the setback, Wrexham continued to challenge Chelsea throughout the match but were unable to find a goal. Chelsea’s victory sets up a quarterfinal clash as they continue their pursuit of FA Cup glory.

Garnacho’s performance, including the winning goal, underlined his growing influence for Chelsea, while João Pedro’s late strike confirmed the Blues’ spot in the next round.

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (ANI Photo)

Quinton de Kock has criticised the International Cricket Council after reports suggested that England cricket team would return home before both South Africa national cricket team and the West Indies cricket team following their exits from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Travel plans for several teams have been affected due to international airspace restrictions linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. As a result, a number of sides have remained in India while waiting for charter flights arranged by the ICC. The West Indies were knocked out of the tournament on March 1 after a defeat to the India national cricket team in the Super 8 stage, while South Africa’s campaign ended with a semi final loss to the New Zealand national cricket team. Since then, both teams have remained in India awaiting travel arrangements. The Caribbean side has been in the country for about a week following their elimination, while the Proteas have been waiting for three days. In contrast, England were beaten by India in the second semi final on Thursday but are set to leave for home on Saturday, just two days after their exit. The situation prompted de Kock to question the apparent imbalance, suggesting that some teams might have greater influence within international cricket.

Quinton de kock’s insta story

“Funny @icc, we have heard nothing! Meanwhile, England are leaving before us somehow? @westindies and @proteasmencsa are just in the dark! Strange how different teams have more pull than others,” wrote Quinton de Kock on Instagram Stories. Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan also raised similar concerns about the travel situation. He questioned why England were able to leave earlier despite other teams being stuck in India for longer.

Michael Vaughan post

“So England got knocked out on Thurs, get a charter home today .. West Indies go out last Sunday and are still in Kolkata .. SA in the same position .. That’s where the power is all wrong .. All teams in this situation should be treated the same .. just because you are more powerful at the ICC table shouldn’t count .. #JustSaying,” he wrote on X. According to ESPNCricinfo, England are expected to depart on Saturday, while both South Africa and the West Indies are likely to leave on Sunday once charter flights organised by the ICC become available. England’s flight is scheduled to head directly to London. Meanwhile, South Africa and West Indies are set to travel first to Johannesburg, after which the Caribbean side will continue their journey to Antigua. However, neither team has officially confirmed the exact timing of their departures. Frustration within the West Indies camp has been visible. Head coach Daren Sammy posted “Day 6” on X on Friday, highlighting how long the team had been stranded in Kolkata since their match against India at the Eden Gardens. Earlier in the tournament, the Zimbabwe national cricket team also faced travel delays after playing their final match against South Africa on March 1 in New Delhi, before eventually departing India on March 4.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is facing a two-game touchline ban after being booked for the sixth time this season during Saturday’s FA Cup win at Newcastle.

Guardiola was shown a yellow card after confronting fourth official Lewis Smith on the touchline at St James’ Park after Kieran Trippier had fouled City’s Jeremy Doku.

New regulations introduced this season mean Premier League managers are suspended for one game once they have received three yellow cards, while six cautions will result in a two-match ban.

The ban applies to league and FA Cup games but not European games or domestic cup finals, meaning Guardiola will be on the touchline for the Carabao Cup final with Arsenal on 22 March.

However, the Spaniard will have to sit out next Saturday’s Premier League fixture with West Ham and City’s FA Cup quarter-final clash on the weekend of 4-5 April, with the draw yet to be made for that round.

After the win at Newcastle, Guardiola said of his angry reaction that led to his booking: “I will tell you something – we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything.

“We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records and now I have it, two-game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games.

“There are things after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action. Of course I’m going to defend Doku and all my teams.”

Manchester City player ratings from the Manchester Evening News after Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-1 at Newcastle in the FA Cup

Manchester City came from behind to stun Newcastle at St James’ Park and knock them out of another cup. Having claimed victory across two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final, it was the Blues who overcame a shaky start to book a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

That looked like it was never going to happen when Harvey Barnes slammed Newcastle in front early on after waves of pressure from the home side that City looked to have no answer for. But they dug in and were able to wrestle control of the game away from Newcastle, with Savinho equalising before half-time.

Omar Marmoush put them ahead early in the second half and then blasted in another after 65 minutes to make the game safe. Here are the player ratings from the Manchester Evening News.

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Trafford: A few nervy moments with his feet and hands that could have cost City, even if there were no disasters. 6

Nunes: Struggled to get City up the pitch from goal kicks, although he worked well with Savinho on the right. 7

Khusanov: Found himself alone against a pacy Newcastle attack a lot in the first half and never lost his composure. 8

Stones: Nearly set up a Savinho goal with a stunning pass, becoming City’s metronome after initially struggling with tempo. 7

Ake: Never going to win many foot races against Elanga but he did well, using his reading of the game to lock the left flank down and contributing up front. 7

Gonzalez: Bossed Tonali in the midfield, keeping City feet on Newcastle throats as the Blues came back to dominate. 8

O’Reilly: Straight back into the starting XI after his recent injury and looked comfortable mixing it with the Newcastle midfield. 7

Reijnders: Should have scored at least one goal from the chances he found himself with in front of goal. 6

Savinho: Instrumental in City dragging themselves back into the game and got the equaliser, keeping up his running afterwards. 8

Doku: Too skittish early on before finding his poise and his rhythm perfectly for the first goal and looked better after. 7

Marmoush: A quiet start but he grew into the game and won it for City with his two goals, full of confidence after the second. 8

Substitutes

Semenyo (for Marmoush, 73) Kept possession and won fouls. 6

Foden (for Savinho, 80) No time. 6

Cherki (for Doku, 80) No time. 6

Not used: Donnarumma, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Silva

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One year after his appointment as Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, veteran journalist and football administrator Paul Bassey is being credited with revitalising the state’s sporting sector through reforms, competitions, and infrastructure projects.

Bassey, a former CAF official, was nominated by Governor Umo Eno and confirmed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, officially taking office on February 24, 2025. He became the first commissioner of the newly created Ministry of Sports, which was carved out from the former Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.

Since assuming office, Bassey has overseen a wide range of activities, from grassroots competitions to upgrades in facilities and athlete welfare initiatives. One of the early highlights of his tenure was the successful hosting of the inaugural Niger Delta Games in 2025. The commissioner played a hands-on role in preparations, overseeing logistics, facility improvements, and strategic planning, helping Akwa Ibom deliver a historic first edition of the tournament.

Following the event, a review committee was established to assess Team Akwa Ibom’s performance and identify areas for improvement in future competitions. Bassey also revived the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, a grassroots programme that had been dormant for seven years. The festival returned in the last quarter of 2025 and has already become a platform for discovering new talent, with several emerging athletes starting to make an impact locally and beyond.

Athlete welfare has been another focus. Medalists from Akwa Ibom at the National Youth Games were rewarded on their return, boosting morale and demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting sportspeople.

Infrastructure development has also been a priority. In January 2026, the new ‘Ibom Gym’ facility at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was officially opened, providing athletes across multiple disciplines with enhanced training and conditioning programmes. The ministry also distributed sports equipment to more than 40 sports associations, covering basketball, volleyball, tennis, athletics, judo, taekwondo, and boxing. Bassey credited Governor Eno for funding the initiative and noted that much of the equipment was sourced internationally to meet top standards.

On the competitive front, Team Akwa Ibom showed progress at the second Niger Delta Games, finishing fourth overall with 55 medals – 16 gold, 17 silver, and 22 bronze – behind Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.

The ministry has also strengthened its administrative capacity by organising a three-day in-house training programme for staff, which received praise from the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters.

Another significant development was the partnership between Akwa United F.C. and Ibom Air, providing improved travel logistics for away matches and boosting fan engagement and operational efficiency.

With further projects in the pipeline, including new sports facilities at ARISE Resort and renewed attention to the Ibom Sports Academy, the first year of Bassey’s tenure has laid a solid foundation for the continued growth of sports in Akwa Ibom State.