Brighton and Crawley pulled off the only shocks in the FA Cup 4th Rd. Newcastle were humbled by Brighton due to an own goal by Mike Williamson; the player who 12months ago put through his own net as the Magpies crashed out to Stevenage. Alan Pardew couldn’t fault the effort shown at the AMEX Arena and just felt they lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Elsewhere in the news Jack Wilshere is gutted at injury setback; Man City offered Andy Carroll, while QPR’s decision to unite behind Anton Ferdinand is the reason the pre-match handshake ritual was cancelled.

 

Manchester City reportedly turns down the opportunity to swap Andy Carroll with Carlos Tevez. Liverpool initially made an enquiry as to how much they want for the Argentine before suggesting a possible player exchange - Guardian

Queens Park Rangers player’s decision to unite behind Anton Ferdinand was the reason that the pre-match handshake ritual was cancelled. None of the Rangers players intended to shake the hands of John Terry so the FA decided to defuse the situation they would cancel it altogether – Daily Telegraph

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has three months to prove he is good enough to be considered in Fabio Capello’s England squad. The Arsenal winger has shown great potential in recent weeks, but the Italian will be keeping tabs on the progress he is making between now and the end of the season – Daily Telegraph

Martin O’Neill believes that it is a local derby that makes the FA Cup special. The Northern Irishman’s Sunderland side entertains Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light this afternoon in what promises to be feisty clash – Daily Telegraph

A supporter was arrested for making a racist gesture in yesterday’s FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Manchester United. It was the first time the two teams have faced-off since the race incident between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra - Independent

Jack Wilshere is said to be gutted at his latest injury setback, raising fears that he is unlikely to be available for England at Euro 2012. Arsene Wenger is sad that the player has been unable to play this season for reasons that don’t appear obvious - Independent

Arsenal have failed in an £8m move for Lukas Podolski. Arsene Wenger confirmed that he is tempted to go into the market but all his targets have been unavailable - People

Liverpool are reportedly planning a double swoop on the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin and Borussia Dortmund striker Luca Barrio - People

Harry Redknapp doesn’t expect to do any transfer business as deadline day fast approaches - Sun

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