1.Liverpool have big problems

If this wasn’t clear already then Sunday’s game with Arsenal certainly highlighted how much work Brendan Rodgers has to do before Liverpool can even think about challenging for the top four again. Up against one of their supposed rivals for Champions League qualification, the Reds looked toothless up front and open at the back as the Gunners controlled proceedings. Rodgers admitted afterwards that it was a mistake to let Andy Carroll leave but he will no doubt be feeling let down by the club’s failure to bring in a replacement.

At this point in time only a lunatic would back Liverpool to finish in the top four at 10/3 and, if they carry on as they are doing, then they won’t even make the top 10. On the other hand, Arsenal look a fairly sure bet to finish in the top four at 8/13 having finally ended their so-called crisis with victory at Anfield.

2.  Robson has a bright future

What a summer it has been for 18-year-old Laura Robson. The British star followed up her Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles with a fantastic run at the US Open. Robson eliminated former Grand Slam champions Li Na and Kim Clijsters to reach the fourth round of the US Open. While the power of Sam Stosur proved too much in the end there are certainly a lot of positives for the former junior Wimbledon champion to take away with her.

Robson still has a lot to work on, in particular her serve, but it could be that Great Britain finally has a female who can compete at the Grand Slam events.

3.  Wigan are the comeback kings of Super League

If Manchester United fans were impressed with their comeback at Southampton on Sunday, then they should have been at Craven Park to witness a remarkable turnaround by the Wigan Warriors. Trailing 26-0 at one point, Shaun Wane’s men managed to record a 42-36 win, in the process securing top spot in Super League.

The Warriors are 6/5 to come through the play-offs and win the Grand Final this year, a task which looks easily achievable after Sunday’s turnaround. Warrington and Leeds, who are 5/4 and 10/1 respectively, might have something to say about that but, after this weekend, you can’t look past Wigan.

4. London Welsh set for struggle

The new boys in the Aviva Premiership often don’t survive their first year in the top flight of rugby union, just look at Leeds Carnegie and their regular yo-yoing between divisions. London Welsh were given a baptism of fire on their Premiership debut at the weekend after being paired with Leicester Tigers.

While the Exiles team was largely unknown, especially after Gavin Henson broke a cheekbone in a friendly, the Tigers team had plenty of internationals, with the likes of Manu Tuilagi, Toby Flood and Ben Youngs in their starting XV.

The 13-38 victory for Tigers probably tells you what you already knew in that Leicester could be worth backing to be regular season winners at 2/1, while the Welsh have their work cut out to avoid relegation.

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There have been some notable giant-killings but in the fourth round draw, Southampton will be the happiest with what was pulled out of the hat on Sunday afternoon.

Nigel Adkins’s Saints beat Premier League surprise package Blackpool 2-0 at St Mary’s Stadium through goals from Lee Barnard and Guilherme Do Prado on Saturday. While Ian Holloway did not exactly put out his strongest line-up, the old adage is that you can only beat what is put in front of you. That is exactly what Southampton did and they have been rewarded for their shock win by drawing Manchester United (4/1 to win the FA Cup) in the fourth round.

United overcame Liverpool 1-0 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a controversial first-minute penalty won by Dimitar Berbatov. That, coupled with a sending off for Steven Gerrard, compounded a disappointing afternoon for new Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, but United fans will fancy their chances in the next round when they travel to the South Coast.

Arguably the biggest shock of the FA Cup third round was League Two Stevenage stunning Premier League Newcastle 3-1 in a game which avenged their controversial defeat to the Magpies 13 years ago. Goals from Michael Bostwick and Peter Winn followed a Mike Williamson own goal and were enough to send the Broadhall Way crowd into delirium.

Graham Westley and the Stevenage fans will have had dreams of drawing one of the big-boys such as United, Chelsea or Arsenal in round four – but unfortunately it did not quite live up to expectations as they were paired with Reading. It will still guarantee another big crowd at Broadhall Way and added money into the club’s coffers though.

Notts County pulled off a major shock as they humbled Premier League side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Paul Ince’s side travelled to the North-East knowing not many people gave them much chance against a side sitting sixth in the Premier League, but they ripped up the form book and pulled off a shock 2-1 win.

Goals from Craig Westcarr and Lee Hughes put them into the draw and they will face either Leicester City or Manchester City (11/2 to win FA Cup) in the next round.

It really was a dire FA Cup weekend for the North-East teams as, along with Newcastle and Sunderland going out to lower league opposition, Tony Mowbray’s Middlesbrough lost to League Two Burton Albion. Paul Peschisolido’s side’s reward is a trip to managerless Burnley in round four.

Elsewhere in the fourth round draw, there are four all-Premier League ties, with Bolton facing Wigan, Fulham taking on Spurs and Aston Villa drawn against Blackburn Rovers. Meanwhile, Chelsea (5/1 to win tournament outright), who thrashed Ipswich 7-0 on Sunday, will travel to face Everton at Goodison Park.

FA Cup fourth round draw in full:

Torquay v Crawley Town or Derby
Watford v Brighton
Bolton v Wigan
Arsenal or Leeds v Huddersfield
Fulham v Tottenham
Everton v Chelsea
Southampton v Manchester United
Swansea v Leyton Orient
Burnley v Burton
Birmingham v Coventry
Doncaster Rovers or Wolves v Stoke or Cardiff
Notts County v Leicester or Man City
Stevenage v Reading
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe or Hereford

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