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FA Cup round-up: Pogba grows into his role at Manchester United

Most important goal of the weekend… Zlatan Ibrahimovic

In the context of the goal, it was crucial: it was the winner in a tough match. In the context of the season, it was important: this was a goal that prevented a replay, with United already facing a touch of congestion as they take on Southampton in the League Cup, and St Etienne in the second leg of the Europa League. A replay would have been an uneccesary obstruction to keeping focus and fitness. And in the context of the season, it was significant: not that Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored yet again after a slow start, but that Paul Pogba’s superb assist showed how he has gradually but impressively grown into his role as the central creator for the side.

Manchester United can now relax. They will rest ahead of the game in France, taking advantage of a 3-0 lead that comes with a Pogba-inspired cushion. They can make sure that they can compete the League Cup with freshness, with Southampton a deceptively tough team to play against. They can also be confident that Wayne Rooney – rumoured to be moving to China in the very near future – can be sold without any regrets that his experience across the pitch will be necessary. They have a new leader to grow into the role.

[AS IT HAPPENED – Blackburn 1 Manchester United 2]

[READ MORE: Kane hat-trick undoes Fulham at Craven Cottage]

Playing for a move to Real Madrid… Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur were struggling. They lost to Gent, who are apparently a team from Belgium. Before that, they lost to Liverpool, in a risible capitulation. They have given up hope of a title challenge and it seems that European competition could soon be a stretch too far. They have injuries mounting up, and they suffer from a lack of squad depth combined with the energy required by Mauricio Pochettino.

Some players don’t manage it. Pochettino told Vincent Janssen that he would have to step his performances not just on the pitch, but in training, if he wanted to feature regularly. Spurs, then, were struggling a little. We have seen other teams suffer at this time – Liverpool and Leicester crashed during tough times. Not Spurs. Kane is the man you want in front of these charges, and his hat-trick showed just how important he is.

Surprise of the weekend… Burnley lose

Burnley are a team that are built to be patronised. They aren’t a glamour club. They aren’t particularly attacking. They have a manager for a gruff voice and they play direct football. And to be fair to them, with the exception of Joey Barton, most of their players seem like decent people and their fans aren’t annoying. They aren’t Crystal Palace, for example. They have taken on teams like Liverpool at Turf Moor and defended ably, pouncing on the break with ruthlessness. They stick to a plan to keep behind the ball and make the most of what comes their way.

Against Lincoln City, they couldn’t manage that. They had 60% of the ball and they couldn’t sit back, because Lincoln were more than happy to do the same. Lincoln would take 0-0 if it was offered, the chance to bring them back to their ground for a replay. They also matched Burnley for effort and aggression, highlighting the problem of giving Joey Barton the chance to act like a buffoon. Lincoln outplayed Burnley at their own game, and deserved their victory as a result., but Sean Dyche must be disappointed his side let an excellent opportunity slip.

Disappointing weekend for… Claudio Ranieri

Millwall deserve to keep their ground, whatever the council try. They are a club that are part of their community in a way that many others no longer are. Leaving for an out-of-town stadium might well kill they club.

Millwall also have a reputation for hooliganism and racism. There are too many instances of it happening to discount them, and so it’s perfectly reasonably to have antipathy for them. Similarly, Rod Liddle supports them, and he is one of the most objectionable men to have ever existed.
But that isn’t why Claudio Ranieri will be disappointed – he is happy to pick Jamie Vardy, after all. Ranieri had the chance to give his side a lift ahead of his Champions League tie with Sevilla in the week, after months of pressure. He rested players, but still they should have won. Instead, Sevilla is now their most important game of the season, their last hope of the season. An FA Cup win would have at least taken the edge off.

Best goal of the weekend… Rudy Gestede

Mike Dean will have watched the goal and felt tingling in his arms and legs. That’s how special a goal it was. He will have physically restrained himself when it went in, such was the thrill of the spectacle. Yes, Gestede wasn’t near anyone when he did it, but he still angled his body at such a height, and kicked the ball with such venom with his overhead kick, that he would have loved it, LOVED it, if he could have run over to Gestede, disallowed the goal, and booked him for dangerous play.