Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove has made promising strides in his recovery after collapsing during a Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday. The 22-year-old has been moved from intensive care to a coronary care unit, indicating significant progress, according to Fiorentina general manager Alessandro Ferrari.

“Edoardo is doing well, he is recovering, and we are happy,” Ferrari told Italian broadcaster Mediaset ahead of Fiorentina’s Coppa Italia match against Empoli. “We must remain patient and respectful of his recovery.”

Ahead of the match at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Fiorentina players, staff, and fans showed their heartfelt support for Bove. The home crowd unveiled a vibrant tifo featuring Bove’s number four, while the team displayed banners with messages of encouragement.

Empoli’s Emmanuel Ekong and Fiorentina’s Moise Kean both paid tribute to Bove after scoring, raising four fingers in solidarity. The tightly contested match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Empoli advancing to the quarter-finals after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.

Jadon Sancho celebrated his first goal for Chelsea as the Blues cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium. Capitalizing on repeated defensive errors from the Saints, Chelsea climbed to second in the Premier League table, surpassing Arsenal.

The match began with Axel Disasi heading Chelsea into an early lead after Southampton goalkeeper Joe Lumley failed to clear Enzo Fernandez’s near-post corner. The hosts briefly fought back, equalizing through Joe Aribo, who converted a precise cross from Kyle Walker-Peters.

However, another costly mistake by Lumley handed Christopher Nkunku an easy finish into an empty net, restoring Chelsea’s advantage. The Blues extended their lead when Noni Madueke dazzled with his dribbling before slotting the ball into the far corner.

Southampton’s woes deepened as captain Jack Stephens received a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair, reducing the hosts to 10 men. Chelsea capitalized fully, with Cole Palmer adding a fourth goal after Nkunku’s shot was deflected.

Sancho came off the bench to wrap up the scoring, coolly finishing a one-on-one chance after receiving a perfectly timed through ball from Malo Gusto.

Chelsea dominated throughout, with Palmer, Madueke, Nkunku, and Tosin Adarabioyo all coming close to adding more goals. Despite hitting the woodwork multiple times, their relentless attack overwhelmed Southampton, leaving the Saints rooted at the bottom of the table and deep in relegation trouble.

In a pulsating clash at St James’ Park, Newcastle secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool, thanks to Fabian Schar’s last-minute equalizer. The result ended Liverpool’s hopes of extending their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

Liverpool, riding high after their recent triumph over Manchester City, were caught off-guard by an aggressive Newcastle side. Jacob Murphy nearly opened the scoring early on, clipping the post with a sharp effort. Moments later, Alexander Isak delivered a spectacular long-range strike to put Newcastle ahead.

Anthony Gordon nearly doubled the lead after capitalizing on a defensive error by Joe Gomez, but his effort was thwarted by Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Liverpool responded after the break, with Curtis Jones converting a precise first-time shot from Mohamed Salah’s cross to level the score. The parity was short-lived as Gordon struck again, cutting inside to beat a defender and slipping his shot past Kelleher, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Salah seemed to seal the win for Liverpool with two late goals—a deft scoop to equalize and a composed finish to put the Reds ahead. Yet, Newcastle refused to back down. Schar’s decisive volley from a late free-kick, after Kelleher misjudged the ball, ensured the Magpies left with a deserved point.