Arsenal beat Burnley

Mohamed Elneny made a good impression on Arsene Wenger in his Arsenal debut against Burnley

It was an FA Cup fourth-round Saturday short on upsets as most of the Premier League big boys kept their names in the hat.

Shrewsbury got the better of Sheffield Wednesday to secure their place in the fifth round, but the likes of Bournemouth, Tottenham and Arsenal all avoided lower-league banana skins.

So what were the big talking points? We take a look at five, including the continued rise of Nacer Chadli and a positive debut for the Gunners new signing...Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Burnley was just the boost they needed. Alexis Sanchez made his first start since injuring a hamstring in the Gunners' 1-1 Premier League draw at Norwich in November, and he grabbed the all-important winner.

"Overall, I was not too worried about Sanchez on the fitness front because I kept him out," Wenger said in his post-match press conference. "Two weeks ago he was already there physically. He's had a long rest now, you could see physically he was ready."

Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal against Burnley

That was not all, though, with Francis Coquelin back in the heart of the action in Arsenal's midfield and Tomas Rosicky coming off the bench to make his first appearance of the season.

Throw in a solid debut from new signing Mohamed Elneny and Wenger has a number of excellent options at his disposal as we reach the business end of the season.

"I felt Elneny started a bit cautious, played a bit secure," Wenger added. "He became more adventurous, he had some good shots on goal. This was a good welcome today and certainly he has learnt a lot today."

Floyd tells Khan "fight Brook"

Kell Brook and Amir Khan may trade blows rather than insults soon

Floyd Mayweather wants to see Amir Khan agree to a Wembley date with domestic rival Kell Brook this summer.

Progress has been made in agreeing a deal for the huge welterweight fight, according to IBF champion Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn, who wants the pair to meet at the national stadium on June 4.

Khan insists he has other options and ismandatory challenger to WBC champ Danny Garcia, one of three men to beat him, and the Briton was in Los Angeles to see his old foe beat Robert Guerrero earlier this month. 

Khan's dilemma

Johnny Nelson on Amir's tight spot

A row erupted at ringside as Khan accused long-time target Mayweather of ducking a fight, but in an interview with FightHype.com the now-retired American has advised Khan to know his place and warned boxing is "sleeping on" Brook's talent. He said: "I basically just told Amir Khan, 'You know, when you can make $300m in one night, get in touch with Al [Haymon] and then we can talk. Until then, PYP! Play your position!

Floyd Mayweather Jr attended the Danny Garcia and Robert Guerrero bout

"It's crazy how fighters seem to forget. This is the same fighter that was working in the boxing gym with my uncle Roger some years back and I was trying to help give him some pointers.

"I think he's a really, really good fighter. I think Danny Garcia is a very good fighter. I think right now for boxing, for the UK fans, Kell Brook and Amir Khan would be a good fight. Kell Brook, he's a guy that everyone is sleeping on."

Brook is back in the ring on VICBALL on March 26, when he defends his belt against Kevin Bizier.

Britain's boxing flag flies stronger than ever before and 2016 promises to another huge year for Britain's best.

Chelsea announce Pato deal.

Alexandre Pato has signed for Chelsea until the end of the season

Chelsea have announced the signing of Alexandre Pato on loan until the end of the season.

The Brazil forward passed a medical earlier in the week and has now completed the formalities of his temporary move from Corinthians.

Pato's career has stalled since he made his Milan debut as a teenager in 2008, and he left Europe for home and Corinthians in 2013, the same year he won the most recent of his 27 international caps.

How will Pato fit in?

Sky Sports profiles Chelsea's new signing Alexandre Pato

The 26-year-old has since spent time on loan at Sao Paulo, but Chelsea's interim boss Guus Hiddink on Friday denied the deal represents a gamble and said he had personally given "the green light". And Pato told his new club's website: "I am so happy to sign for Chelsea. It is a dream for me. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know my new team-mates and cannot wait to play.

"I thank Chelsea for their support and hope I can repay this faith to the club and its fans."

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink was full of praise for Ramires after the midfielder left the club for China earlier this week

Pato joins compatriots Willian, Oscar and Kenedy at Stamford Bridge in the week another Brazilian Ramires completed a move to China.

Chelsea have also confirmed the departure of youngster Charly Musonda, who has joined Spanish side Real Betis on loan.

Nemanja Vidic Retires From Football.

Nemanja Vidic holds aloft the Premier League trophy in May 2013 - the last of his five English titles with Manchester United

Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has retired from football at the age of 34.

Vidic, who won five Premier League titles and the 2007-08 Champions League in an eight-year spell at Old Trafford, conceded injuries had forced him to call time on his career.

Vidic in quotes

Nemanja Vidic retires: Manchester United great remembered in quotes

The Serb was granted his release from Inter Milan earlier this month  an injury-plagued 18-month stint in Italy. "The time has come for me to hang up my boots," Vidic said in a statement on United's website. "The injuries I have had in the last few years have taken their toll.

Vidic (far right) won the Champions League with United in 2008"I would like to thank all the players I have played with, all the managers and staff I have worked with, and say a big thank you to the fans for their support over the years."

Vidic - who made 56 appearances for Serbia - joined United in the 2005-06 season from Spartak Moscow and went on to form a fine centre-back partnership with Rio Ferdinand.

Vidic left Inter Milan earlier this month

He left Old Trafford to join Inter in July 2014 and played 28 times for the club, scoring one goal.

Top performers

Who has been letting Manchester United down this season?

But hernia and back injuries meant he failed to feature for Inter this season.

J Rhodes could move to Middlesbrough

Jordan Rhodes could be set to move from Blackburn to Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are in advanced talks with Blackburn over the potential signing of striker Jordan Rhodes, according to VICBALL sources.

Manager Paul Lambert has repeatedly urged the Rovers hierarchy not to sell the club's star striker this month but the picture may have changed with the arrival of former Celtic forward Tony Watt at Ewood Park. Rhodes has left the Blackburn squad that had travelled south for the FA Cup tie at Oxford and now will have talks and undergo a medical with Middlesborough on Saturday. VICBALL sources understand the deal is expected to be worth £11m in total - £9m up front and £2m in add-ons. A statement on Rovers website read: "We can confirm that we have reluctantly given Middlesbrough permission to speak to striker Jordan Rhodes.

"The player has expressed his desire to talk to the Teesside club and will travel to the North East for discussions."

Watt has joined Rovers on loan from Charlton while Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has been keen to make further additions before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Boro had been linked with a move for Fulham's Ross McCormack

Karanka is eager to sign a proven goalscorer capable of stepping up to the Premier League, and Boro - currently second in the Championship - previously have been linked with both Rhodes and Fulham's Ross McCormack.

When asked about Rhodes earlier this week, Lambert said: "It's the same situation as it was when I first came to the club. I've not heard anything. I chat with the chief executive and until someone tells me different then it's the same situation."

Rhodes has scored 85 goals in 169 matches for Blackburn since leaving Huddersfield, where he netted 87 times in 148 games, in a deal worth up to £8m in August 2012.

"He's got a chance, but Novak is playing at a level that I have never seen before in the sport," Cowan told Sky Sports News HQ. "I guess the one thing Andy has to try to do with Novak is to get into Novak's head that what happens on Sunday might be a repeat of the US Open final when Andy won his first major and the Wimbledon final. He's going to have to play very aggressive tennis and take it to him. Cowan on Murray "But at the moment, Novak believes he's going to win. Andy is hoping. So often in this sport, it does come down to what goes on in the mind, but it's going to take more than that from Andy. "He's going to have to play very aggressive tennis and take it to him." Novak Djokovic completed a superb semi-final win over Roger Federer Djokovic produced an awe-inspiring win over Roger Federer in the semi-finals and Cowan insists Murray cannot afford to let the defending champion gain an early grip on the match. He said: "At the moment, he is playing at a level we have never seen before in this sport and he smells fear, and he smelt fear yesterday with Federer. Federer was very passive early on and even though Roger played great in the third set, it's become so difficult to chase against Novak Djokovic. "So for Andy, I think he has to come out and really make statements early on - 'I'm coming to get you' - and this year at the Australian Open is going to be different to the previous times that Andy has played Novak." Highlights from Murray's five-set win over Raonic

 
 

Barry Cowan paid credit to Andy Murray after the British tennis star beat Milos 

Raonic to reach the Australian Open final.

"He's got a chance, but Novak is playing at a level that I have never seen before in the sport," Cowan told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I guess the one thing Andy has to try to do with Novak is to get into Novak's head that what happens on Sunday might be a repeat of the US Open final when Andy won his first major and the Wimbledon final.

He's going to have to play very aggressive tennis and take it to him.

Cowan on Murray

"But at the moment, Novak believes he's going to win. Andy is hoping. So often in this sport, it does come down to what goes on in the mind, but it's going to take more than that from Andy.

"He's going to have to play very aggressive tennis and take it to him."       

Novak Djokovic completed a superb semi-final win over Roger Federer

Djokovic produced an awe-inspiring win over Roger Federer in the semi-finals and Cowan insists Murray cannot afford to let the defending champion gain an early grip on the match.

He said: "At the moment, he is playing at a level we have never seen before in this sport and he smells fear, and he smelt fear yesterday with Federer. Federer was very passive early on and even though Roger played great in the third set, it's become so difficult to chase against Novak Djokovic.

"So for Andy, I think he has to come out and really make statements early on - 'I'm coming to get you' - and this year at the Australian Open is going to be different to the previous times that Andy has played Novak."

Highlights from Murray's five-set win over Raonic

The British No 1 battled past Milos Raonic in five sets to earn another showdown with Djokovic in a repeat of last year's final.

Djokovic defeated Murray in four sets 12 months ago and the world No 1 has won 10 of his last 11 matches against the Scot. 

Andy Murray fought back to defeat Milos Raonic in the semi-finals

Sky Sports expert Cowan believes the Serb is setting new high standards in tennis but insists Murray can draw hope from his previous wins over Djokovic in major finals. "He's got a chance, but Novak is playing at a level that I have never seen before in the sport," Cowan told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I guess the one thing Andy has to try to do with Novak is to get into Novak's head that what happens on Sunday might be a repeat of the US Open final when Andy won his first major and the Wimbledon final.

He's going to have to play very aggressive tennis and take it to him.

Cowan on Murray

"But at the moment, Novak believes he's going to win. Andy is hoping. So often in this sport, it does come down to what goes on in the mind, but it's going to take more than that from Andy.

"He's going to have to play very aggressive tennis and take it to him."       

Novak Djokovic completed a superb semi-final win over Roger Federer

Djokovic produced an awe-inspiring win over Roger Federer in the semi-finals and Cowan insists Murray cannot afford to let the defending champion gain an early grip on the match.

He said: "At the moment, he is playing at a level we have never seen before in this sport and he smells fear, and he smelt fear yesterday with Federer. Federer was very passive early on and even though Roger played great in the third set, it's become so difficult to chase against Novak Djokovic.

"So for Andy, I think he has to come out and really make statements early on - 'I'm coming to get you' - and this year at the Australian Open is going to be different to the previous times that Andy has played Novak."

Highlights from Murray's five-set win over Raonic

VICBALL: Martial stars as Utd progress

VICBALL: Martial stars as Utd progress

Martial stars as Utd progress

Anthony Martial set up two as Manchester United progressed to the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-1 victory over Derby on Friday night.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a beautiful curling effort from Martial's pass, although the striker looked marginally offside in the build-up, before George Thorne levelled against the run of play on 37 minutes.

Daley Blind swept home from close range to put United ahead midway through the second half, and Martial teed up Juan Mata to slide in a third with seven minutes to play.

Having been booed off against Southampton last weekend, Louis van Gaal's side produced a much better performance at the iPro Stadium.

The United boss brought in Guillermo Varela and Mata as Ander Herrera and Matteo Darmian dropped out, and the away side caused the unchanged Rams plenty of problems early on.

They went close after just three minutes as Martial cut in from the left and fired over in a well-worked move that proved to be a warning sign for Derby.

Martial was allowed plenty of space on the flank, and played a key role in the opener after 16 minutes. The Frenchman picked out Rooney in the left channel and the striker dispatched a curling effort into the top corner from 18 yards for his sixth goal in six games.

Rooney celebrates his stunning goal in the first half

He had two in his previous 13 before that, and was perhaps a touch fortunate as replays showed he was marginally offside in the build-up.

Paul Clement's side have won just once since Boxing Day and looked short of confidence in the first half, allowing Martial and Mata to dictate the play as United swiftly looked for a second.

They went close through Martial again as the Frenchman played a one-two with Mata, then another with Rooney to get into the box, but his touch let him down at the last moment.

And Derby made United pay for failing to capitalise on their dominance as Thorne equalised out of nothing. Chris Martin latched onto a hopeful long ball forward and played a perfect lofted pass into the path of Thorne, who took the first touch in his stride before finding the corner with his second.

United responded well and nearly went back in front three minutes later as Martial skipped past Thorne, but his low centre escaped Rooney two yards out.

Daley Blind (right) celebrates with Jesse Lingard (35) and team-mates after United's second

Derby started brightly after the break as Cyrus Christie's teasing cross almost found Thomas Ince in the middle, but United quickly got back on the front foot.

A diving header from Mata drifted narrowly wide before the Spaniard almost caught Derby napping from a corner as United turned up the heat. And it paid off after 65 minutes, with Mata again involved. The playmaker picked out Lingard on the right, and the winger's low cross was confidently guided past Scott Carson by an onrushing Blind.

Derby visibly tired in the closing stages, and Mata secured United's progress after more excellent work from Martial.

Anthony Martial caused problems for Derby all evening

The French forward proved too strong and too quick for the Rams defence all evening, and his stepover beat Christie as he picked out Mata in the box. The midfielder made no mistake from seven yards, passing his low shot into the far corner to put United in the hat for the next round.

Messi vs Ronaldo. who's best?

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and captain of the Argentine football team was recently given the award of Ballon d'"Or. This has made it his fifth and the highest ever awarded to a player. Messi is seen as a football god by his fans, some even speculate that he is not from this planet because of his spectacular and unbelievable style of football. On the other hand, another football master "Cristiano Ronaldo"of a rival team Real Madrid came 2nd position in the award of the world best footballer. Ronaldo has seen by many is a great player and fast dribbler. He has been awarded the Ballon d'Or award thrice. Here is a video of both players showing off their skills. Enjoy!!!!