Five things we learned from the weekend's football

1 Manchester United FA Cup rout must be kept in perspective

Tranmere may be struggling to find any positives in their 6-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United but the underdogs actually made a bright start to the game at Prenton Park.

In the first ten minutes they unsettled United, winning corners and getting Phil Jones booked in the fourth minute before Harry Maguire's wonder-strike sparked a welcome deluge of goals for the visitors.

United went in at half-time 5-0 up, having scored with each of their five shots on target, but their romp must be kept in perspective as their third-tier opponents had little time to recover from their extra-time win over Watford on an energy-sapping pitch.

Tougher tests await United, who won't be able to rely on a Maguire thunderbolt to inspire them every week.

2 Newcastle United's troubles are far from over under Steve Bruce

Newcastle failed to see off League One opponents at the first time of asking in the third round of the FA Cup and it was the same story in the fourth round as Oxford held the Magpies to a goalless draw at St James' Park.

It could easily have been worse for Steve Bruce's side as the visitors missed a couple of presentable chances in the last 20 minutes and despite a seven-point cushion between them and the Premier League drop zone, Newcastle remain in trouble.

They needed three injury-time goals to earn a 1-0 win over Chelsea and a 2-2 draw against Everton in their last two league games and they look a team to oppose in upcoming fixtures.

3 Michael O'Neill is getting a fine tune out of underperforming Stoke City

Saturday's only Sky Bet Championship game was a significant one for Stoke, who moved seven points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 home win over Swansea.

Sam Clucas and James McClean scored the goals while there was an improved performance in goal from Jack Butland and manager Michael O'Neill has no shortage of experience in the squad.

Joe Allen, Bruno Martins Indi, Tom Ince, Nick Powell and Sam Vokes were also in the starting 11 and exciting young striker Tyrese Campbell has signed a new contract with the Potters after attracting attention from Rangers and Celtic.

O'Neill worked wonders with Northern Ireland and he seems to have roused Stoke, who won the shot count 16-11 despite having only 37 per cent of possession against the Swans.

4 Peterborough United back in the hunt for Sky Bet League One promotion

League position doesn't mean much in the congested race for promotion from Sky Bet League One and Peterborough seem to have steadied the ship after a horrible run of midwinter form.

Posh lost four of their first five games after Christmas but this week their free-scoring attackers have helped them see off Wycombe 4-0 and Rotherham 2-1 at London Road.

Both of those visitors remain in the top three of the division and the big games keep coming for Peterborough, who face trips to Accrington and leaders Ipswich this week.

They must improve their away record, having won only three of their 14 games on the road, but with Ivan Toney rattling in the goals they remain serious contenders.

5 Goals punters should keep an eye on lively Livingston forwards

Livingston's golden run in front of goal continued with Saturday's 4-2 win away to Hamilton and Gary Holt's men are up to fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

They scored four times from only five shots on target at Hamilton but that spree is no fluke given that they have found the net 21 times in their last eight league and cup games, winning six of them.

The goals are being shared around, too. Leading marksman Lyndon Dykes wasn't among the scorers on Saturday despite playing 89 minutes and midfielders Craig Sibbald, Scott Pittman and Steven Lawless are also worth considering in the goal markets.

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