Marcus Rashford feels his current run of form is "up there with the best" he has ever been after another excellent display in Manchester United's FA Cup victory over Everton.
After scoring in his previous four matches, Rashford looked a man full of confidence as he ran Everton's defence ragged on Friday, playing a part in all three goals as United saw off the Toffees 3-1.
He set up Antony for the opener just four minutes in, and though Conor Coady levelled for Everton shortly after, dazzling work from Rashford down the left wing forced the Everton defender to turn into his own net to put United 2-1 ahead in the second half.
Rashford then capped his brilliant performance by thumping home a penalty late on after Alejandro Garnacho was felled by Ben Godfrey, becoming the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2012 to score in seven consecutive home appearances in all competitions.
After leading United into the fourth round, Rashford believes he is near the peak of his powers, telling ITV: "This is probably up there with the best I've ever been.
"I feel good on the pitch and I'm getting in positions and areas to score goals. If they keep creating chances, I feel at the minute I'll keep scoring."
Manager Erik ten Hag is enjoying a strong start to his Old Trafford career, and his team remain fighting on all four fronts as he looks to end his first season with silverware.
Rashford says United have their sights firmly set on winning trophies, explaining: "That's the aim. That's why we do what we do and work so hard.
"We want to be in finals and play in the biggest games. Ultimately we want to win silverware and trophies, so hopefully this season we get the opportunity to do that.
"It's always nice to go through in cup games, and the FA Cup is definitely a special competition to play in.
"We're pleased that we can go through to the next round and more importantly, we keep momentum going and keep winning games."
In stark contrast to United's hunt for glory, success for Everton may be simply staying in the Premier League after a run of six defeats in seven in all competitions.
Manager Frank Lampard looked to be staring down the barrel after his team were hammered 4-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday, but an improved performance against United, albeit in defeat, has given the former Chelsea man hope he can turn things around.
Lampard cited Rashford as the key to the result, saying: "The players were very, very good. We had the better chances.
"Marcus Rashford was probably the difference between the two teams because top individual talent can do that to you."
With a huge league fixture with fellow strugglers Southampton next up for Everton, Lampard was asked whether he expected to be in the dug-out, to which he replied: "That's not under my control. It's not for me to focus on that.
"This league can change very quickly and when you're in difficult times you have to work really hard to get out of it and the picture can change. My focus is on this team and getting a result against Southampton."
Al-Nassr 1-1 Al-Hilal: Mitrovic scores last-gasp penalty
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a penalty in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time as Al-Hilal denied Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr victory in a 1-1 draw.
Mitrovic netted his 27th Saudi Pro League goal of the campaign after Sadio Mane was harshly judged to have fouled Saud Abdulhamid in the area.
Mane stuck out an arm to shield the ball, catching his opponent in the throat, though the contact appeared to have been outside of the box.
Mitrovic made no mistake to keep Al-Hilal's unbeaten campaign going.
The Serbian's spot-kick cancelled out Otavio's first-minute opener, with Ronaldo having set up his compatriot.
Champions Al-Hilal remain 12 points clear of Al-Nassr at the summit of the Pro League standings.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo the provider
Ronaldo leads the scoring charts in Saudi Arabia this season, though he had to settle for an assist on Friday.
That came from the only chance he created, with the 39-year-old limited to 25 touches, though he did have four shots.
Ten Hag unconcerned by Fernandes' fitness ahead of Man Utd's trip to Brighton
Erik ten Hag is not worried about Bruno Fernandes' fitness ahead of Manchester United's final game of the Premier League season.
Fernandes impressed in an attacking midfield role in United's 3-2 win over Newcastle on Wednesday.
The Portugal international was forced off through injury late on, yet Ten Hag is not overly concerned.
"Bruno didn't miss so much and he's fit," Ten Hag told United's media channels.
"I would say that is one of my least concerns, if he can keep going. He's fresh and he's in very good form but the others you mentioned, it's important [to get game time].
"They missed some games. [Marcus] Rashford, of course. [Lisandro] Martinez missed, I would say, almost the whole season. So every minute that he can get, we have to give him."
Should United win, and Newcastle fail to beat Brentford, then the Red Devils will be guaranteed European football next season, even if they lose the FA Cup final when they face Manchester City at Wembley on May 25.
Ten Hag's future is uncertain, but Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi pointed to United's injury issues as a main factor in their frustrating campaign.
"They have suffered a lot of injuries, problems, but they are still a very good team," he said.
"Ten Hag's Ajax team has been one of the best in quality of play. For United, this season, it's been tough playing without a lot of important players."
Brighton are entrenched in mid-table after failing to match the same heights they managed last season.
However, two of their players - Pascal Gross and striker Denis Undav, who is on loan at Stuttgart - were on Thursday called up for Germany's Euro 2024 squad.
De Zerbi said: "I am happy for Undav. He is becoming a great player. Pascal is not a surprise - he deserves to play for the national team."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brighton - James Milner
James Milner has appeared in the final game in 16 different Premier League campaigns – if he plays in this match, he’ll be the first player in the competition's history to do so in 17 different seasons.
Manchester United - Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has created 113 chances in the Premier League this season, 14 more than any other player. He also created the most chances last season (119) and is the first player to do so in back-to-back seasons since Eden Hazard in 2013-14 (93) and 2014-15 (100).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
In their first 19 Premier League matches this season, Brighton were the fifth-highest scorers in the Premier League (38 goals) and had a conversion rate of 13.3 per cent. In their last 18 games since the turn of the year, only Everton (15) have scored fewer goals than the Seagulls (17), with their conversion rate of 6.6 per cent the worst of any side in this time.
United have lost their final league game in two of the last five seasons (W3), as many times as they had in the previous 33 campaigns (W23 D8).
Brighton have lost their final game in four of their six Premier League campaigns, with the exceptions being a 2-1 win at Burnley (2019-20) and a 3-1 home win v West Ham (2021-22).
Brighton have won each of their last four Premier League games against United – the last side to beat the Red Devils in five consecutive league games was Norwich City between 1988 and 1990.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brighton - 35.4%
Man Utd - 35.9%
Draw - 28.7%
Arteta hoping old mentor Moyes provides a helping hand in title race
Mikel Arteta and David Moyes have a long history, and the Arsenal boss is hoping the outgoing West Ham manager does him a favour on Sunday.
Arteta was managed by Moyes for over six years during his time at Everton between 2005 and 2011.
And the stars have aligned that Arteta's Arsenal must now defeat the Toffees at Emirates Stadium on the final day of the season to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title.
But while Arsenal must do their job, they also require a favour from Moyes' West Ham, who take on leaders Manchester City. If Pep Guardiola's team win, then the title will be theirs.
The Hammers' trip to the Etihad Stadium also marks Moyes' final game as West Ham's boss, and Arteta wants one more favour from his former mentor.
"He's been instrumental and so important in my career, as a footballer and a person. He could help us to fulfil our dream and my personal dream to win the Premier League," Arteta said.
"The only thing we've discussed is to give ourselves an opportunity to live a beautiful day. It's possible, it's football. We have to play like every single week.
"We have to win, then hope West Ham to help us achieve us our dream. That first part is on us, it's the only thing we can focus on."
Everton, on the other hand, have little but pride - and 15th place - to play for, having already secured their safety.
The club confirmed on Friday that Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young had been offered new contracts, while Everton have also activated a one-year extension to Idrissa Gueye's deal.
Dele Alli's contract is up, but he will remain with Everton's medical staff to continue his rehab, but Andre Gomes, Arnaut Danjuma and Andy Lonergan will leave.
Director of football Kevin Thelwell said Everton will remain in discussions with Leeds United over Jack Harrison's future, with the winger set to return to Elland Road at the end of his loan deal.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal - Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has scored five Premier League goals on MD38, the most of any player currently playing in the competition. The Brazilian also has more Premier League goals against Everton than he does against any other opponent (eight).
Everton - Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin is Everton's top scorer in away Premier League games this season with four goals. He has scored in his last two on the road, last netting in three in a row in November/December 2020.
MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN
Everton are winless in their last 10 Premier League away games (D4 L6), failing to score more than once in any of these. It is their longest run without an away win under the same manager since a run of 12 under Ronald Koeman between February and October 2017.
Arsenal's 86 points so far is already their third highest in a single Premier League campaign, after their title-winning seasons of 2001-02 (87) and 2003-04 (90). Meanwhile, the Gunners' 89 goals this term is their most in a top-flight campaign since 1963-64 (90).
No side have lost their final game of the Premier League season more often than Everton (14). Arsenal have won their final Premier League game of the season more often than any other side (22, including the last 12 in a row), also having the best win rate in such matches in the competition (71 per cent).
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 27 Premier League home games against Everton (W22 D4), going down 1-0 in April 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Arsenal - 61.9%
Everton - 14.5%
Draw - 23.6%
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