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.

Foxes receive Maddison boost

Leicester playmaker James Maddison is in line to face Southampton on Saturday evening after a brief lay-off.

Maddison, 26, orchestrated free-scoring victories over Aston Villa and Tottenham, but was absent through illness for the home loss to Arsenal and Tuesday’s FA Cup humbling against Blackburn.

As the Foxes look to give themselves breathing room from the drop zone, boss Brendan Rodgers is relieved to have his key man back at St Mary’s.

Rodgers said: "James should be fine, hopefully he gets through the rest of the week OK.

"He is a very important player for us but it is about the team, James gives another dimension to the team and he is important but ultimately it’s a team effort.

"Top players make the others better and if you look at any team — look at Casemiro when he comes in for Manchester United — it’s no coincidence when he plays they look a much different team. Why? Because he’s a top player.

"That’s where you judge them and that’s where James has grown to. James is a very influential player for us but it cannot just be about him. Others have to step forward and show the personality, the work and belief he does when he plays.

"What he does, when playing, that spreads around the team. He never hides from the ball, he has that courage to accept that responsibility and that will get the team playing but it’s not just his, it’s everyone’s."

Praise for Potter

Javi Gracia will not be distracted by Chelsea’s plight when he takes Leeds to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Gracia, 52, was hired by the West Yorkshire club last week, winning his first match in charge against fellow strugglers Southampton.

A 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Fulham on Tuesday stunted momentum and the Spaniard is focused on a response against the Blues.

Opposite number Graham Potter has received heavy criticism following a run of two wins in 15 games but has received support from Gracia.

The Whites boss said: "All I can give is my opinion about Graham Potter and he’s a fantastic manager and I wish him all the best.

"The only way you change the fans’ opinions about you is good results. It’s the only way.

"But of course this next game I’ll try to win.

"I respect their team a lot and what we expect is a very demanding game, a tough game and we have to be ready for that."

Relegation-haunted Leeds would move just six points behind the West Londoners with a win, but defeat could see Gracia’s men plunge back into the drop zone.

Mariners miracle

Grimsby boss Paul Hurst feared his side might lose 10-0 at Southampton last night, before they pulled off a stunning FA Cup shock.

The Mariners, who lie 16th in League Two, booked their spot in the last eight of the competition for the first time since 1939 thanks to a 2-1 win at St Mary’s.

Midfielder Gavan Holohan netted two penalties in the first five minutes of the second half to set up the win, which was in jeopardy when Saints defender Duje Caleta-Car pulled one back.

But the visitors held on to earn a quarter-final tie at Brighton, much to Hurst’s delight.

He said: "I [told the players] we could lose 10-0. I was saying I might have to bring a blindfold.

"It's always the fear — if a Premier League team turns up, they can blow any League Two side away.

"I'm in shock. I'm so delighted for the owners and the incredible away support.

"They did enjoy it in the dressing room. Looking around at a few of their faces, they were in shock, probably very tired as well.

"It’s a memory for them, for the owners, for the supporters and we go down in history because of the way we’ve got to the quarter-finals."

Blades have the edge

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom praised Iliman Ndiaye after the substitute scored the decisive goal to knock Tottenham out of the FA Cup.

The Senegal international netted with only 11 minutes remaining at Bramall Lane, earning a home encounter with Blackburn in the last eight.

Heckingbottom, who has guided the Blades to second in the Championship table this term, said: "He has shown a slightly different audience what he can do with a top goal. 

"Iliman can do it against anyone, handling the ball in tight areas at the top end of the pitch, where the best players do damage like that. 

"He is unbelievable with the ball, there are not many Premier League players that can do what he does with the ball. 

"He has added goals and assists but we still want more from him."

Spurs slammed

Following Tottenham’s loss in South Yorkshire, former midfielder Jamie O’Hara took aim at their underperforming players.

O’Hara, 36, who made 36 appearances for Spurs, said: "You’ve got Richarlison, [Heung-Min] Son and Lucas [Moura] in your side. You expect to create chances.

"Take nothing away from Sheffield United, Son is miles off it.

"Ben Davies is solid. He works hard, I like him. [Eric] Dier is the same, Davinson Sanchez. But if you look at that back three on paper, when you’re realistic about your chances of winning the FA Cup, that back three is not good enough.

"[There was] no determination, no resilience, no passion. It was Spursy. So Spursy."

While Premier League all-time top scorer Alan Shearer also pointed criticism towards Richarlison.

Shearer, twice runner-up in the competition, said: "He gives that air of arrogance.

"Some of his touches, the ability he has, you want more out of him.

"It might aggravate to play with him and against him because at times I just think his team-mates will think 'give us a little bit more'."

Unhappy Hammers

West Ham conceded three goals in the final 13 minutes of their FA Cup clash at Man Utd, leaving boss David Moyes fuming.

Said Benrahma put the Hammers ahead at Old Trafford before the hour mark, only for a Nayef Aguerd own goal to level the scores.

Alejandro Garnacho and Fred both bagged in stoppage time to decide the tie as ex-United boss Moyes was forced to lick his wounds.

The 59-year-old Scot said: "We had a great opportunity to get through and blew it. I thought we had a great chance to get through, I really did, but we couldn't see it through.

"We gave away two ridiculous goals. We had moments when we could've got the game and I thought the worst we would get out of the game was extra-time.

"Michail Antonio had two one-on-ones with the goalkeeper, they were really big chances. For long periods, 60-70% of it, we had good control of the game.

"I told the players I'm more disappointed we couldn't get through and we had a great opportunity to knock United out. We didn't do the basics well enough, some really simple things."