Football summary in brief

It was ‘S’ Club Five’ at Anfield as Liverpool, with goals by Raheem Sterling (2), Martin Skrtel (2) and Daniel Sturridge, beat Arsenal 5-1 (it could have been 10-1). This was the Reds’ biggest win over the Gunners since 1964, the year the Beatles first visited America!

Newcastle had a ‘hazardous’ time at The Bridge as Eden scored a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 3-0 win.

The Eagles flew high in South-east London as Crystal Palace won the six-pointer against WBA 3-1.

Swansea completed a PL double over Cardiff, winning the Welsh derby 3-0.

Aston Villa got West ‘Hammered’ 2-0 at home by Kevin Nolan!

Hull defeated ten-man Sunderland 2-0; Saints were held 2-2 by the Potters; it was goalless between Norwich and Man City; Fulham stunned Manchester United with a 95^th minute equaliser at Old Trafford (2-2) and Spurs beat Everton 1-0.

In the Championship, leaders Leicester salvaged a ‘late’ point v Watford (2-2), Burnley beat Millwall 3-1 and Leeds, with Brian McDermott reinstated as manager, won 2-1 at Yeovil.

The FL1’s top two, Brentford and Wolves, didn’t play while Chesterfield, after drawing 1-1 at Scunthorpe, went three points clear in FL2.

Shock, horror Celtic’s ‘keeper Fraser Forster conceded a goal for the first time in 1,047 minutes as Aberdeen beat the Bhoys 2-1 in the Scottish Cup. Minnows Albion Rovers and Raith, Dumbarton, Rangers and St Johnstone are also through to the last eight.

Real Madrid topped La Liga (briefly) after beating Villarreal 4-2; Almeria stunned previous leaders Atletico Madrid 2-0 and Malaga lost 4-1 to Rayo Vallecano before Barcelona, with a brace from Messi, defeated Sevilla 4-1 to overtake ‘Real’ on goal difference.