LiveScore Daily: Today’s football news in bite-sized chunks

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Silva lining

Micah Richards believes Fulham boss Marco Silva should be in contention for the Manager of the Season award. 

The Cottagers, who currently sit sixth in the Premier League, booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals last night with a 2-0 home win over Leeds. 

And former Manchester City star Richards, 34, is clearly impressed with how Silva has revitalised the West Londoners. The pundit said: "Silva has been excellent. 

"At the start of the season we asked 'are Fulham going to go down?'. 

"He's not only stabilised that but he has got a way of playing that suits the players he has got in the team — and he can mix it up. 

"I just think the story of Fulham... he has got to be up for Manager of the Season."

Slam Dunk

Jason Steele labelled Lewis Dunk an "unbelievable person" after the Brighton skipper made his 400th appearance for the club.

Englishman Dunk, 31, was at the heart of Roberto De Zerbi's defence once again last night as the Seagulls edged past Stoke to book their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. 

And Steele was full of praise for his team-mate following the 1-0 victory. The Brighton keeper, 32, said: "He's an unbelievable footballer, very special. 

"I think he's an unbelievable person first and foremost. A fantastic dad, husband, friend, team-mate, leader. I can't speak highly enough of him. 

"He thoroughly deserves it and hopefully it leads to a few hundred more."

Back in business

Stoke may have seen their FA Cup run come to an end last night but boss Alex Neil was delighted to be able to call on Axel Tuanzebe.

The Potters were sunk by Evan Ferguson's 30th-minute goal as Brighton left the bet365 Stadium with a 1-0 win to advance to the quarter-finals.

Yet one bright spot was the fact that Tuanzebe, on loan from Manchester United, made his first start for the hosts. 

The defender, who saw a loan spell with Napoli curtailed by a back injury last season, made his Stoke debut off the bench in the 3-0 win over Huddersfield last month. 

And Neil was pleased to hand him a start against Brighton as he bids to draw a line under a nightmare spell. After watching Tuanzebe complete 76 minutes, he said: "Axel is a top player.

"He has trained all the time he has been here and has been in really good shape. It is his tolerance levels in terms of what his body can get through, that is the question. 

"He has been out for 14 months. His tolerance levels are unknown."

Cup magic

Jon Dahl Tomasson was full of praise for his players after Blackburn dumped Leicester out of the FA Cup. 

Rovers won 2-1 at the King Power Stadium last night, with goals from Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics putting them into the quarter-finals. 

And Tomasson, 46, believes his side are proving that the magic of the FA Cup is alive and kicking. He said: "The lads have done an excellent job.

"A giant-killer against West Ham in the last 16 and now into the last eight of the greatest cup competition in the world. 

"I spoke many times about it as a little child, when sitting and watching English TV [channels]. 

"This competition is brilliant and one of the only countries where it [the domestic cup] is alive — it made our fans proud. 

"It is brilliant achievement for a club like Rovers."

New appointment

West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady is now a director of the club's women’s team. 

Baroness Brady said: "I am delighted to be able to confirm this important and exciting new level of senior support for West Ham United Women as we continue to enhance all areas of the football club and build upon our role as an equity leader in football."

Fellow Hammers board member Tara Warren and director of ticketing Nicola Keye will also sit on the board of the women's side.

Brady, 53, added: "Tara and Nicola have a wealth of valuable experience in football and business and together we will work tirelessly to ensure that West Ham United Women continue to go from strength to strength, on and off the field."

West Ham, managed by former Hammer Paul Konchesky, currently sit seventh in the Women's Super League.