Whisper it, but is Rashford back?

Against Tottenham, the Aston Villa substitute Marcus Rashford looked, well, like the old Marcus Rashford. On the left, the Manchester United loanee embarrassed Pedro Porro with a nutmeg. Through the middle, a deft touch helped release Jacob Ramsey through on goal. Rashford flew down the right at searing pace (before a brilliant Archie Gray tackle limited further damage to Spurs). In half an hour, Rashford only had one fewer touches than Son Heung-min managed in 90 minutes. He looked fit and mentally eager (winning both the tackles he attempted), had a 93% pass accuracy, won four of six aerial duels and generally looked in synergy with his new teammates. Maybe he has a point to prove, or has had a boost of confidence from Villa’s fans and manager, or maybe Rashford is just playing in a quality, well-oiled side again, but Villa’s new No 9 looked – for 30 minutes at least – back to his best. Michael Butler

• Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham

Osula should get more minutes

Perhaps the most important thing for Eddie Howe – other than reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup and maintaining the momentum from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final win – was to assess various fringe members of his squad. It was a mixed bag but certain players shone, notably Joe Willock and the 6ft 4in William Osula. “He was an outlet for us,” Howe said of the 21-year-old Dane, who started on the right them moved into the middle. “His pace and strength and directness were key for us in that first half. He’s versatile, and can play any of the front three positions. He’s a natural goalscorer. He’s got a few rough edges we have to improve, but he’s a massive player for us and very close to playing. He’s got a great attitude.” Osula has played only 49 league minutes since signing from Sheffield United in August but that will surely increase soon. Jonathan Wilson

• Match report: Birmingham City 2-3 Newcastle United

Slot must take blame for shock upset

Arne Slot has been rightly praised this season but this embarrassing Liverpool defeat at Plymouth was undoubtedly the lowest point of his tenure so far. The inquest is under way, and while some will point to the disappointing performances of seasoned internationals and inexperienced young players, most of the blame must fall on Slot, particularly the Dutchman’s decision to put Darwin Núñez and a half-fit Curtis Jones as the only established names on Liverpool’s bench. Liverpool were rudderless and when Plymouth scored and the game went south for the Reds, Slot had no plan B. Resting players against a side bottom of the Championship before the Merseyside derby on Wednesday is understandable but there is no reason why at least a couple more senior players could not have added to the bench. Slot’s gamble massively backfired and hopes of a quadruple are gone. MB

• Match report: Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool

Jackson is missed as Chelsea splutter

As Enzo Maresca was keen to point out, Chelsea’s toothless display at Brighton highlighted how reliant they have become on Nicolas Jackson to lead the line. The Senegal forward missed the game due to injury, and Christopher Nkunku, who is much better suited to a deeper role, failed to impress in his place. The teenage back-up striker Marc Guiu is set to be out for an extended period but Maresca seemed more positive about Jackson’s chances of returning for Chelsea’s return trip to the Amex in the Premier League on Friday night. “It won’t be long but we will see if he will be available for the next game,” he said. “Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are. Off the ball, his pressing is always very good and, on the ball, he is a threat always.” Ed Aarons

• Match report: Brighton 2-1 Chelsea

Grealish shines but remains stunted

“Jack is a player of the street.” Mm. You knew what Pep Guardiola was getting at after an encouraging performance from Jack Grealish in Manchester City’s win at Brisbane Road. It is also tempting to wonder which streets Pep has in mind. Those famous back alleys where some youthful free-spirit holds the ball on the left wing for ages so his fellow scruffs can reinstate their defensive shape? Streets where no one scores any goals? It is no secret Guardiola has sanded back Grealish’s game. A player who racked up 30 league goal involvements in his last two seasons at Aston Villa is now on five and counting in his last two seasons as a bit-part City player. Grealish also has seven major trophies from his time with City. A move that has made his career has also circumscribed the joy in his game. He could still simply play better, become more effective. But he also embodies the Pep paradox: a reputation for fluid creative football, a reality of team play, systems and discipline above all. Barney Ronay

• Match report: Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City

Cherries torment Everton again

As Bournemouth beat Everton for the third time this season, Antoine Semenyo adopted the role of tormentor-in-chief. The 25-year-old was a powerful, destructive force throughout the final cup game at Goodison Park, emphatically converting a penalty for his fourth goal in his past six matches and thwarting the hosts’ hopes of a fightback with a goalline clearance from Iliman Ndiaye’s header. “Antoine is in a lovely moment,” said the Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola. “He is full of confidence, finishing well with both feet, defending well on the line and connecting very well with Milos [Kerkez] on that left side. I’m happy to keep him there. As long as he keeps doing what he’s doing he is going to be very valuable for us.” Andy Hunter

• Match report: Everton 0-2 Bournemouth

Hirst out to emulate his old man

George Hirst, who scored in Ipswich’s win at Coventry, wants to emulate his father’s goal in an FA Cup final. David Hirst scored Sheffield Wednesday’s equaliser in the 1993 final (before Arsenal won the replay) and is not slow to remind his son of the feat. “He’s always been very helpful,” the Ipswich striker said. “Scoring in a cup final would be awesome but we have to get there first. If we do, I’m sure that will mean a good conversation at home with the old man.” This season, Hirst Jr has been obliged to play second fiddle to nine-goal Liam Delap – whose father, Rory, played in Stoke City’s 2011 Cup final defeat by Manchester City. Not only would an extended FA Cup run earn Hirst and other fringe players more minutes, it could help Ipswich’s relegation battle. “It’s a bit of a reset button,” Hirst said. “All the boys want to win games and that breeds success.” Pete Lansley

• Match report: Coventry 1-4 Ipswich Town

Edwards’ instant impact at Burnley

Marcus Edwards had not played a club match in English football for seven years before coming off the bench in the second half at St Mary’s. The former Excelsior and Vitória Guimarães forward has joined Burnley on loan from Portugal’s Sporting for the rest of the campaign to link up with Scott Parker, who he worked with in the Tottenham academy. With the game against Southampton goalless after 77 minutes – no surprise there, Burnley have conceded only nine league goals – Edwards found himself in the right place to bundle home the winner after a cutback from the former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. “He’s someone we need to take a little bit of care of,” Parker said of the 26-year-old. “But he was brilliant when he came on.” Billy Munday

• Southampton 0-1 Burnley

Muniz takes chances for Fulham

There is little doubt that Raúl Jiménez is Fulham’s first-choice striker at the moment, but his services off the bench were not required on Saturday thanks to Rodrigo Muniz’s display at Wigan. The Brazilian, who has started only five games in the Premier League this season, opened the scoring when he converted a cross from Ryan Sessegnon, whose twin brother, Steven, was an unused substitute for the home side. After Jonny Smith’s equaliser for Wigan it was Muniz again who settled Fulham’s nerves with what turned out to be the winner. “It’s great competition between him and Raúl,” the Fulham manager, Marco Silva, said of his two strikers. “It’s always good when you have two strikers that have been scoring important goals.” BM

• Wigan 1-2 Fulham

Committed Cunha delights Pereira

Matheus Cunha decorated this tie with a goal, his running, a quicksilver football brain and, as Vítor Pereira noted, an ability to draw an extra few per cent from his Wolves colleagues. “Fantastic,” said the visiting head coach. “I asked Cunha not only to do what he knows how to do as a player but to help the others to be better and this is the real task for him. Playing, attacking, trying to help the team defend and this is the commitment I want to see every match. When we signed Cunha [on a new contract on 1 February] it’s like we signed one more player [a new one], as he can decide a game, create a chance, assist and do everything.” Jamie Jackson

• Match report: Blackburn 0-2 Wolves