Kirby’s class helps stun Arsenal, Palmer shows leadership potential for Chelsea and teenager Shaw makes her mark for Liverpool
Securing their Premier League status for another year remains a priority for West Ham and Leeds this season, so the eight changes Nuno Espírito Santo and Daniel Farke made between them for this tie, which developed into a drama-drenched classic, was understandable to a degree. Still, in Ao Tanaka, Leeds have a gem of a fringe player, who looked eager to make something of his opportunity. The Japanese international has not started in the league since 14 December, but Leeds fans have consistently called for him to have more involvement and he showed why with a tremendous opener at the London Stadium, which was all of his own making. In stark contrast to Tanaka’s performance was that of Max Kilman, who has not been trusted to start for West Ham since 3 January when they were beaten 3-0 by the bottom club, Wolves. The centre-back looked rusty and gave away a clear penalty with a poor challenge on Anton Stach – he was even booed by his own fans at points in the game. Dominic Booth
Men’s match report: West Ham 2-2 Leeds (2-4 pens)
Rayan Cherki enhanced his status as Manchester City’s new maverick with two box office moments in Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final hammering of Liverpool. First, a sublime trap with his left foot then instant pass with his right to Antoine Sememyo, the winger crossing for Erling Haaland’s headed second goal. Then, when replaced on 71 minutes, he momentarily wore the shirt of his friend and opposition player, Hugo Ekitike. Of Cherki, Semenyo said: “He’s one of the world’s best. He can do anything with the ball, he makes my life easy. I know he’s going to drop in and find me in behind or drop it into my feet so he makes things easy. When you train with him every day you get a gist of what he is so when he gets on the ball I know where to make my runs. I remember my first day in training; some of the skills he was pulling off I was thinking what kind of player is he?” Jamie Jackson
