Pep Guardiola admitted he will face a nervous wait to see if all of his Manchester City players come through the international window unscathed ahead of a crucial run of games.

City kept alive the possibility of a second treble as they beat Newcastle 2-0 on Saturday to become the first team in the history of the FA Cup to reach the semi-finals in six consecutive seasons.

But the majority of Guardiola’s squad will now be heading off to play international football before the crunch Premier League fixture against title rivals Arsenal on March 31.

“I will not watch the (international) games, I will rest, and when they arrive on Thursday we will see which players survive and which did not survive,” Guardiola said.

“It’s difficult sometimes in that period to give all the players away for friendly games in a difficult part of the season, but the schedule is the schedule.”

Two deflected strikes from Bernardo Silva were enough for City to ease to victory over outclassed Newcastle, booking the first of what City hope will be three visits to Wembley before the end of the season, with the national stadium hosting the Champions League final on June 1.

“One step at a time,” said Guardiola, who will enjoy a break in his native Catalunya during the internationals. “First we have a final against Arsenal. But now we rest. I don’t want to think too much in the future.

“It’s been an intense period. Now the players change environment, it is always good for their mind. Some will be with their families, the staff will be with their families, and then when we come back we have three games to prepare for the game against Arsenal. Let’s go.”

Speaking immediately after Saturday’s game, Guardiola said he needed Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish to come back fit after the break, and also mentioned Erling Haaland, who missed two months of the season through injury earlier in the season.

But although the Norwegian was unable to add to his eight FA Cup goals in Saturday’s match, bending a shot narrowly wide early in the second half, Guardiola was happy with the striker’s performance.

“This was the Erling I like to see,” he said. “In the moments we didn’t find him a little more with the players behind him…We should have used him a little bit more in the space but sometimes it’s difficult to see during the game.”

Grealish was an unused substitute following a groin injury which saw him left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, but Guardiola predicted he would be ready for the Arsenal match.

“Now we have 10 days to train,” he said. “We have a plan for him to train and he will be ready. Every three days we have a game in the final (stages) of the Premier League and the final (stages) of the Champions League. Everyone will be needed.”

Michael Ricketts has been returned to the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation following elections held in Negril, Hanover on Sunday. Ricketts defeated challenger Raymond Anderson 39-17 in the vote count that was completed at the Royalton Resort in Negril, shortly before 5 pm Sunday.

Ricketts, who has been president since 2017, will now serve a second full term at the helm, after riding out the buffeting winds of controversy most of which centred around the fallout between Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz and the administration over alleged unpaid fees and general disrespect.

His slate is comprised of St Catherine FA President Elaine Walker-Brown, St James FA President Gregory Daley, Portland FA President Raymond Grant, and Manchester FA President Barry Watson. JFF Vice-President Bruce Gaynor and JFF Technical Committee Chairman Rudolph Speid are also part of Ricketts’s slate as ordinary directors.

Carole Beckford of Team RSA, Anderson's slate in commenting on the loss, stated, "39-17 suggests that the delegates voted in an overwhelmingly strong position to retain Mr Ricketts and his team, whether or that constitutes a failure (of Anderson's slate) is yet to be seen. However, I think we have ruffled enough feathers that people need to understand that football is not governed the way it should be to attract the kind of attention and sponsorship that is required. There are enough people on the RSA team that are still very much involved in their clubs, executives and in different formats and committees and Mr Ricketts says he will reach out to people, so let's see how that works.

"There are some very important years to come for football for Jamaica. This week is the Gold Cup competition. Football never stops, the election has just been part of the process our team lost and we will continue to support the development of football in Jamaica."

It is unclear at this time whether Anderson plans to continue as a JFF vice president.

"

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hopes his side’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win over arch-rivals Liverpool will prove to be the turning point of their season.

The Dutchman declared himself happy with his weekend after United snatched a 4-3 victory in time added on in extra time courtesy of Amad Diallo’s breakaway goal, having seen Tottenham and Aston Villa both drop points in the race for the top four in the Premier League.

Speculation about Ten Hag’s long-term position has increased since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 27.7 per cent share of the club but the manager believes this victory could be pivotal.

“Every team needs a moment into a season and we have never had this moment,” he said.

“This could be the moment where the team can have the belief and energy that they can do amazing things.

“I think when you can beat Liverpool in the way we did you can beat any opponent – it is up to us to prove that point. Today we did.”

Ten Hag was asked whether the nature of this victory, achieved after they came from 2-1 and 3-2 down, was more significant than their Carabao Cup win last year.

He added: “It was a good win but I’ve had some more good wins, I can tell you. For me winning a trophy is more. Maybe it can be very important towards winning another trophy.

“I am pleased with the performance of my team, the first 35 minutes we showed again that the future of this team is very bright and there is huge potential and we have to get it out.

“We have to get to the consistency but from January onwards we are ready, we got results.

“After the first 35 minutes we had our drop, allowed Liverpool to be back in the game and we know they have a very good team but we showed resilience and determination to win this game.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he could not find fault with his side but admitted it was the first time he had seen them struggle physically as their gruelling quest for an unprecedented quadruple finally caught up with them.

“Obviously the day was on and above the edge, it was really tough for us with all the 130-whatever minutes,” he said.

“The second half was absolutely exceptional but we didn’t finish the game off and when you leave the door open at Old Trafford it is clear they will get chances and they could score the equaliser and Marcus (Rashford) had a big chance at the end of normal time.

“They could win it there and then it got really hard for us, that was the first time I really saw my team really struggling.

“The problem was we didn’t even know who to take off. In 90 minutes it would have been fine but then with extra time our options were really not (there).

“We say we have to bring the kids in at the right moment but it was not the right moment.”

Asked who he wanted to take off, Klopp added: “Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) definitely, Wataru (Endo) definitely, Darwin (Nunez) definitely. Lucho (Luis Diaz) we did.

“The boys play all the time and the way we conceded the last two goals you could see were not on top of our game anymore – we gave two balls away but absolutely no criticism of the boys.

“They gave absolutely everything, today it was not enough and that is what we have to accept.”

The Football Association has condemned the tragedy chanting heard during Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester United and Liverpool and vowed to liaise with police over the matter.

A significant number of fans in the Stretford End at Old Trafford were heard chanting ‘Murderers’, quickly followed by ‘Always the victims’ around the hour mark, with the singing audible to the live television audience.

The FA said in a statement: “We are aware of the reported tragedy chanting during today’s FA Cup fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool, and we will be liaising with and supporting Greater Manchester Police.

“We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive and discriminatory chants in football stadiums, and we are determined to stamp this behaviour out.

“It is entirely unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on people and communities within our game. It must stop, and we support any club and their fans who try to eradicate this from the terraces.”

Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment by the PA news agency.

Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a gripping FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at some other memorable United cup wins.

Liverpool 1 Man Utd 2, final, 1977

United prevented Liverpool, already First Division champions and playing the European Cup final four days later, from winning the treble. All the goals came in a five-minute burst early in the second half. Stuart Pearson’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Jimmy Case but Lou Macari’s shot rebounded in off Jimmy Greenhoff to settle it.

Chelsea 0 Man Utd 4, final, 1994

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side turned on the style in the second half at Wembley to win their first double with some swagger. Eric Cantona broke the deadlock with two penalties in quick succession and Mark Hughes added another shortly afterwards. Brian McClair wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time.

Man Utd 2 Liverpool 1, fourth round, 1999

Liverpool took an early lead through Michael Owen but United, establishing a trend which would manifest itself with even greater significance in Europe later that season, turned it around with two late goals. Dwight Yorke equalised in the 88th minute and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer snatched a thrilling winner moments later.

Arsenal 1 Man Utd 2, semi-final replay, 1999

In another dramatic encounter in United’s treble-winning season, Ryan Giggs settled what was to be the last-ever semi-final replay with a sensational solo effort. United had led through an early David Beckham goal at Villa Park but seemed to be hanging on after Dennis Bergkamp levelled and Roy Keane was sent off. Yet Bergkamp missed the chance to win it from the penalty spot and Giggs had the final word in extra time.

Man Utd 3 West Ham 1, fifth round, 2023

Erik Ten Hag’s United produced a stirring late fightback to reach last year’s quarter-finals. Said Benrahma’s powerful strike put the Hammers on course for victory but United drew level in the 77th minute when Nayef Aguerd headed into his own net. Then, in a frantic finish, Alejandro Garnacho curled in a 90th-minute shot and Fred followed up with another in stoppage time.

Holders Manchester City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals with rivals Manchester United taking on outsiders Coventry.

The draw for the last four raises the prospect of a repeat of last season’s all-Manchester final.

Treble-chasing City eased through with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday while Chelsea saw off Leicester 4-2.

United’s reward for a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory over Liverpool on Sunday is a clash with Championship outfit Coventry, who stunned Wolves 3-2.

Coventry are managed by former United striker Mark Robins, scorer of a crucial winner as the Red Devils beat Nottingham Forest en route to winning the competition in 1990 – a goal widely believed to have saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job as manager.

The Sky Blues famously won the cup in 1987 but have endured some lean years since their relegation from the Premier League in 2001.

United are hoping to win the trophy for the first time since 2016 while Chelsea last won the cup in 2018.

The matches will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April 20-21.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted he will “enjoy it a little bit” after his side’s 2-0 win against Millwall sent them top of the Sky Bet Championship for the first time this season.

Willy Gnonto’s brilliant first-half opener sent Leeds on their way at Elland Road, but they were forced to work hard for their second goal, scored by substitute Dan James in the closing stages.

Farke said: “First of all you’ve got to enjoy it a little bit because if you don’t enjoy such a moment then you’ll ask yourself one day why are you doing all this hard work?

“So when there’s a time like right now you have to enjoy it a little bit, but also make sure we stay on it because it’s a tight race. It’s not important where you are after 38 games.”

James’ effort lifted Leeds above long-time leaders Leicester on goal difference as the Yorkshire club extended their unbeaten league run this year to 13 matches. They are also unbeaten in 19 home league games this season.

“I won’t fall into the trap and say right now we have the best momentum,” Farke said. “Obviously we’re in perfect shape and have won many points.

“But it’s a tight race. The teams are more or less on the same base, just a few points are between them.

“I’m sure Leicester will win some points in their game in hand and then they have the best possible option.”

Leeds were 17 points adrift of Leicester at the end of December and Farke added: “If I’m honest I didn’t think too much about it because I was more concentrated on us.

“But a quality side like Leicester, with their consistency, if I’d have thought about it I would have said ‘no, it’s not realistic to reach them’. But they still have the best situation.”

Millwall had dropped only two points in four unbeaten matches since Neil Harris returned for his second spell in charge in February and he had few complaints about his side or the result at Elland Road.

Harris said: “Leeds deserved to win the game, there’s no debating that for me, but I thought some elements of our performance were very good.

“People will look at the (Gnonto) goal and say ‘what a brilliant strike’. But we don’t win the first ball, the second ball or the third ball. That’s not what Millwall teams do. We don’t do that.

“And the second goal I just thought the stadium was getting a bit nervy, we were the better team for 10 minutes, and then we give another really poor goal away from another restart and that’s my only disappointment today.”

Super sub Amad Diallo sealed a scarcely-believable 4-3 extra-time triumph against bitter rivals Liverpool to send Manchester United into the FA Cup semi-finals and breathe new life into their season.

All eyes were on Old Trafford as these great rivals met in a highly-anticipated clash that lived up to the hype on Sunday, swinging from one way to the other before a box-office conclusion.

Scott McTominay put United into an early lead, but Liverpool looked set to run amok after Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah scored late in the first half to put Jurgen Klopp’s men in control.

Under pressure Erik ten Hag’s side offered little in response, but substitute Antony managed to level against the run of play in the 87th minute.

Marcus Rashford blew a gilt-edged opportunity to win the quarter-final with the final kick of regulation time, with the roller-coaster ride continuing in extra time.

Liverpool sub Harvey Elliott landed a 105th-minute body blow but, in front of United fan Tyson Fury, the hosts picked themselves off the canvas.

Rashford drew United level in the 112th minute and Diallo scored on the break in added time at the end of extra time, shaking Old Trafford to its foundations.

The 21-year-old was sent off after receiving a second booking for taking his shirt off during the ear-shattering celebrations on a day that seals the winger’s place in United folklore.

David Moyes was left exasperated after two more tight VAR handball decisions went against West Ham in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

The Hammers were denied a stoppage-time winner when a five minute 37 second VAR check – the longest in Premier League history – ruled Tomas Soucek had handled the ball before it crossed the line.

They had earlier been denied by another VAR review which ruled the ball had brushed Michail Antonio’s arm when he bundled it into the net.

Moyes also pointed to more handball decisions not given for his side, against Burnley last weekend and Freiburg in the Europa League 10 days ago.

“I’ve got nothing to say on VAR, contact Howard (Webb, referees’ chief) yourself,” was Moyes’ initial terse response.

But he added: “Burnley last week, Freiburg, and now two today have gone against us. It’s hard to take.

“If VAR thinks it’s right it must be right. I think football people see things differently. We’ve had two hit people’s arms in the last week and not one went for us.”

Antonio headed West Ham into a deserved lead after half-an-hour, diving in front of Ezri Konsa to steer Vladimir Coufal’s cross home.

Mohammed Kudus had the ball in the net shortly after but referee Jarred Gillett had already blown for a foul on Emi Martinez.

Antonio thought he had a second when he struck at a corner, but VAR had other ideas.

Villa, much improved in the second half, equalised when Nicolo Zaniolo finished from fellow substitute Moussa Diaby’s cutback.

Then, in the fifth minute of seven added on, Konstantinos Mavropanos, up for a free-kick, scooped the ball towards the net.

In a scene reminiscent of Saturday’s Six Nations, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek were both on the ground trying to force the ball over the line as the Villa rearguard tried to repel them.

After more than five minutes Gillett was beckoned to the pitchside TV screen and decided the Czech midfielder had used an arm, disallowing the goal to a chorus of boos and earning an earful from Moyes after the final whistle.

Villa boss Unai Emery said: “When they scored the plan changed and in the second half we did better than in the first half.

“We created – not clear chances – but we were dominating and playing well. We dominated, scored the goal and tried to win the match. It’s a draw but the result is good for us.

“I’m very happy for Nicolo, hopefully we can keep him in this mood for the rest of the season.”

Karl Robinson saw Salford City increase their chances of playing League Two football again next season with a 3-1 win over Morecambe but reckons his side are far from the finished article.

Connor McLennan and Callum Hendry fired the Ammies 2-0 ahead only for a Theo Vassell own goal to put the outcome in doubt.

Instead, centre-half Curtis Tilt netted a bullet header from Luke Garbutt’s corner after 79 minutes to leave Salford 11 points above the drop zone.

For Morecambe, a third successive defeat further derailed their play-off ambitions.

“We are still way off what I expect this football club to be,” said manager Robinson. “We have got to be a lot better in an awful lot of areas.

“It is something we will strive for between now and the end of the season.

“We will get better but we have to try and win a few more games.”

“I am pleased, though, with the four days,” he added of Salford’s four-point haul including a 2-2 draw against high flying Stockport.

“But it leaves you with a tinge of frustration when you think Morecambe would have gone into a play-off position had they won.

“We played Stockport and people tell me how far advanced to everyone else they are. But we didn’t show any fear in these two games.”

Robinson admitted he wondered if lightning might strike twice at 2-1.

“I did say to Brucey (coach Alex Bruce) at one stage ‘I wonder if we can see this one out’. But we showed a tremendous level of calmness.”

Morecambe have now conceded 11 goals in their last three games. And frustrated manager Ged Brannan pulled no punches with his assessment of the Shrimps’ latest performance.

“That is the worst I have felt since I took over the job,” he admitted. “We showed nothing.

“It is unacceptable and we can’t play like that. I am going to have a good think to see if we can change something.

“You can’t have seven, even eight players, on the pitch not having a good day.

“Everyone on the pitch could have done better. We have got to work a lot harder.

“I felt so sorry for the fans and they were still singing even when we were getting beat.”

Vassell’s own goal just past the hour suggested Morecambe might rescue a point as Stockport did four days earlier.

“Once we scored they were rocking a bit,” agreed Brannan. “We had a few little chances and we were on the front foot and I thought ‘here we go.’

“But we just stopped and went back into the mould of going long and playing right into their own hands.”

Willy Gnonto and Dan James were on target as Leeds beat Millwall 2-0 to go top of the Sky Bet Championship for the first time this season.

Gnonto’s superb opener gave the hosts a half-time lead and substitute James added the all-important second with 11 minutes left to lift them above Leicester on goal difference.

Leeds extended their unbeaten league run at Elland Road this season to 19 matches and are now undefeated in 13 league games this year, winning 12 of those matches.

Crysencio Summerville pulled a low shot wide and that was all Leeds had to show for their promising start.

The visitors had dropped only two points in four matches since Neil Harris returned for his second spell in charge last month and they were not going to concede an inch against their promotion-chasing hosts.

Lions skipper Jake Cooper earned the wrath of the home fans for grappling with Gnonto – both players were booked – before Zion Flemming and Junior Firpo were also shown yellow cards for mistimed tackles.

But from a scrappy opening littered with full-blooded challenges, Gnonto emerged to elevate the game with a brilliant opening goal in the 33rd minute.

The little Italy forward collected Georginio Rutter’s lay-off on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a shot which arced away from Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic and into the net.

Millwall skipper Cooper was lucky to avoid a second yellow card, first when he appeared to catch Rutter with his elbow and then when he clattered into Joe Rodon in the Millwall box.

Referee Stephen Martin missed the first incident and was unmoved by the second, after being perfectly placed, with Rodon left in a heap.

Summerville then forced Sarkic into a flying one-handed save with a shot from outside the box as just one goal separated the two sides at half-time.

Leeds maintained the pressure after the restart and the bookings continued to mount for Millwall, with Ryan Leonard and George Honeyman both cautioned.

Sarkic saved superbly to deny Rutter’s first-time effort and then pushed the Frenchman’s follow-up on to a post.

After Millwall had served warning when Cooper’s hooked effort from a corner flew narrowly wide, Japhet Tanganga’s last-ditch tackle thwarted Patrick Bamford following substitute James’ low cross.

But James struck the decisive second goal in the 79th minute. Rutter wriggled free on the left edge of the area and pulled the ball back for the Wales winger, who took his time before picking his spot with a low finish.

“We’re Leeds United, we’re top of the league,” sang relieved home fans before James went close to adding a third as his shot hit a post in stoppage time.

Former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has replaced the sacked Niko Kovac as Wolfsburg head coach on a long-term contract.

The 56-year-old Austrian, who has previously managed RB Leipzig and Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga, had been out of work since leaving Premier League side Saints in November 2022.

Wolfsburg said Hasenhuttl would be unveiled as boss at a Monday press conference before overseeing his first training session on Tuesday, with a view to delivering an overdue win after recent results led to the dismissal of Croatian coach Kovac on Sunday.

Kovac, 52, took over at the Volkswagen Arena in May 2022 but recently endured a run of 11 consecutive league games without a win and a 3-1 home loss to Augsburg on Saturday proved to be the final straw.

Club director Marcel Schafer told vfl-wolfsburg.de: “In our internal review of the defeat against Augsburg and the overall situation, we came to the decision to end our collaboration.

“We regret this development but regard it as necessary to give the team a new impulse, in order to stabilise the situation. We’d like to express our thanks to Niko Kovac, his brother Robert as well as (assistant) Aaron Briggs, and wish them all the best in their personal and professional lives.”

Wolfsburg went into Sunday in 14th place, seven points clear of the relegation places with eight games remaining.

Kovac said: “From our point of view, the last one and a half years have been characterised by a very trusting, professional and amicable collaboration with the team, the Wolfsburg staff – particularly, of course, with Marcel Schafer, Jorg Schmadtke and Sebastian Schindzielorz – and with the other decision-makers in the supervisory board.

“For that we’re very grateful. Of course, I as head coach am particularly disappointed that we haven’t managed to turn things around, despite some promising signs. We wish the team, the whole club and their fans all the best for the rest of this season and beyond.”

Former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has replaced the sacked Niko Kovac as Wolfsburg head coach on a long-term contract.

The 56-year-old Austrian, who has previously managed RB Leipzig and Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga, had been out of work since leaving Premier League side Saints in November 2022.

Wolfsburg said Hasenhuttl would be unveiled as boss at a Monday press conference before overseeing his first training session on Tuesday, with a view to delivering an overdue win after recent results led to the dismissal of Croatian coach Kovac on Sunday.

Kovac, 52, took over at the Volkswagen Arena in May 2022 but recently endured a run of 11 consecutive league games without a win and a 3-1 home loss to Augsburg on Saturday proved to be the final straw.

Club director Marcel Schafer told vfl-wolfsburg.de: “In our internal review of the defeat against Augsburg and the overall situation, we came to the decision to end our collaboration.

“We regret this development but regard it as necessary to give the team a new impulse, in order to stabilise the situation. We’d like to express our thanks to Niko Kovac, his brother Robert as well as (assistant) Aaron Briggs, and wish them all the best in their personal and professional lives.”

Wolfsburg went into Sunday in 14th place, seven points clear of the relegation places with eight games remaining.

Kovac said: “From our point of view, the last one and a half years have been characterised by a very trusting, professional and amicable collaboration with the team, the Wolfsburg staff – particularly, of course, with Marcel Schafer, Jorg Schmadtke and Sebastian Schindzielorz – and with the other decision-makers in the supervisory board.

“For that we’re very grateful. Of course, I as head coach am particularly disappointed that we haven’t managed to turn things around, despite some promising signs. We wish the team, the whole club and their fans all the best for the rest of this season and beyond.”

Second-placed AC Milan registered their third straight Serie A victory with a 3-1 triumph at Verona on Sunday.

The visitors, looking for their fifth consecutive win in all competitions, started like a team on form, going close through Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor before Theo Hernandez put their noses in front before the interval.

Pulisic doubled their lead just after the break and, although Verona then made a fist of it and made things interesting by pulling a goal back midway through the second half through Tijjani Noslin, Samuel Chukwueze’s 79th-minute strike for the visitors put the game to bed.

Milan made their attacking intentions clear from the outset and could have had the opener in the fourth minute when Hernandez swung a cross in towards Fikayo Tomori, but the England international diverted wide of the target.

The away side were edging ever closer and Okafor let rip from outside the box with a volley that was magnificently tipped over the bar by Lorenzo Montipo.

It was one-way traffic through the opening quarter and Milan again went close to breaking the deadlock when Ruben Loftus-Cheek let the ball roll to his ex-Chelsea team mate Pulisic, who rattled the crossbar.

It took Verona 30 minutes to fire their first warning shot of the encounter, Noslin working his way into the box and flashing a low effort just past the far post.

Milan grabbed the opener just before half-time when Hernandez latched onto Rafael Leao’s through ball and, after seeing his low cross blocked straight back into his path, lifted a neat finish into the Verona net.

The visitors doubled their advantage five minutes after the break and Hernandez was at the heart of it again when his shot was palmed into the path of Pulisic, who tapped into an empty net from close range.

Verona needed to make a mark in the game but their second big chance went begging when Noslin headed a Fabien Centonze cross over the bar from inside the six-yard box.

The hosts did pull a goal back in the 64th minute, Noslin finally getting his deserved goal when he knocked the ball past Loftus-Cheek before firing into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

Verona then went in search of an equaliser and had a couple of chances from long range in quick succession through Ondrej Duda and then Tomas Suslov.

But Milan restored their two-goal cushion when they struck a third through Chukwueze just five minutes after his 74th-minute introduction from the bench.

Ismael Bennacer’s corner was headed out to Chukwueze on the edge of the box and the Nigeria international volleyed past Montipo and into the bottom corner to seal the win, leaving Verona two points above the drop zone.

Matilda Vinberg’s first goal for Tottenham on her first start was enough to secure a 1-0 Women’s Super League win at home to Leicester.

The Sweden international, who joined Spurs on a two-and-a-half-year deal in January, struck less than two minutes after kick-off at the Gaughan Group Stadium.

Leicester grew into the contest, coming close to an equaliser in the second half when Jutta Rantala’s effort came back off the underside of the crossbar.

Sixth-placed Tottenham restored their three-point advantage over Aston Villa with the win, just under a month before they face the Foxes again in their FA Cup semi-final.

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn made two changes from their quarter-final shootout victory over Manchester City, bringing in Vinberg in place of the injured Martha Thomas and swapping Olga Ahinten for Drew Spence.

There were two changes for Leicester, with Lena Petermann and Yuka Momiki in the starting line-up, while first-team assistant manager Jennifer Foster and coach Stephen Kirby oversaw the contest in the continued absence of Willie Kirk over what the club has said is an “internal matter”.

Vinberg fired Spurs into an early lead, tapping Jessica Naz’s delivery from the left past Lize Kop.

The hosts kept applying pressure and came close to doubling their advantage through a crossbar-clipping effort from Spence, who had a second chance blocked by a visiting defender shortly afterwards.

Leicester’s first real chance came through Saori Takarada, claimed by Spurs goalkeeper Becky Spencer, who then denied Petermann a minute later as the visitors began to find a foothold in what had been a dominant start for the hosts.

Leicester enjoyed the bulk of what few chances came late in the half, Momiki stinging Spencer’s palms, Janice Cayman directing an effort wide and Spencer smothering the ball from a goalmouth scramble before making a big save from Aileen Whelan’s effort to preserve Tottenham’s lead at the break.

By early in the second half the visitors had overcome their quiet start and overtaken their opponents for the possession advantage, nearly drawing level when Rantala hit the bar.

Vilahamn made a double change, introducing Rosella Ayane in place of goal-scorer Vinberg while Celin Bizet was replaced by Bethany England, who forced Kop into a low save four minutes after her introduction.

The hosts missed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Naz squared the ball across to Ayane who was through on goal but somehow she directed her effort wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

England had the ball in the net in stoppage time but the offside flag was raised.