Three Premier League squads have fallen amidst plenty of upsets and upheaval during Saturday’s third round of the FA Cup, and all this before the North London Derby kicked off at 12:15pm ET.
The upsets…
Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United
It’s a good thing Paul Lambert’s not a big fan of the FA Cup, because it may help him ignore the jeers of the AV faithful after Sheffield United bounced the Villans out of the tournament. The Blades are through thanks to Scottish scoring from Jamie Murphy in the 20th minute and Ryan Flynn’s game-winning tally in the 81st after Nicklas Helenius briefly put Aston Villa level.
Southend United 4-1 Millwall
What a mess for last year’s semi-finalists, who got absolutely pummeled before and after a red card to Jermaine Easter for apparently stamping on Ben Coker. Martyn Woolford’s 64th minute goal was Millwall’s only moment and came with the team down 3-0. Barry Corr’s header put the Shrimpers ahead in the 22nd minute before Easter’s sending off in the 45th opened the floodgates. Roots Hall went rightly bananas all afternoon.
Rochdale 2-0 Leeds United
The League Two side used a loud home stadium to its advantage, as Scott Hogan and Ian Henderson scored against a pretty strong squad. Rochdale heads into the fourth round for the first time in 11 years.
Doncaster 2-3 Stevenage
Francois Zoko’s 49th minute goal kickstarted a match that featured five second half goals. Stevenage lead 2-0 and 3-1 before Liam Wakefield scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Barnsley 1-2 Coventry City
Jim O’Brien gave the hosts an early lead, but Franck Moussa and Leon Clark struck in the 78th and 89th minutes for the Sky Blues to send the League One side onward
Close, but not enough…
Stoke City 2-1 Leicester City
Southampton 4-3 Burnley
Bolton 2-1 Blackpool
Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 Reading
Premier League ousters…
Newcastle United 1-2 Cardiff City
Vincent Tan will certainly be pleased to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pick up a win in the manager’s first game in charge, as the Bluebirds fought back after Papiss Cisse’s 62nd minute tally to win on the road. Craig Noone tied the game moments after subbing on and Frazier Campbell headed home the winner as Cardiff struck twice in seven minutes before holding on for the win. Looks to be yet another year without a shot at silverware for the Magpies.
West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Crystal Palace
Tony Pulis had to wonder how the road was so easy. Dwight Gayle scored in the first half and Marouane Chamakh added one deep into second half stoppage as the Eagles sent the Baggies to defeat.
Two of three fifth division sides survive for replays…
The Harriers of Kidderminster held Peterborough to a 0-0 draw, while Macclesfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday played to a 1-1 stalemate. Both clubs were at home and face challenging road replays. Grimsby Town nearly made it 3/3, but fell to Huddersfield 3-2 at home on an added time own goal.
No alarms and no surprises…
Everton 4-0 Queens Park Rangers
The Toffees smashed Harry Redknapp’s QPR to bits, a 4-0 decision at Goodison Park behind a brace from Nikita Jelavic.
Middlesborough 0-2 Hull City
The Tigers handled their road business in a tidy fashion to crash another Northeast club out of the tournament. Aaron McLean and Nick Proschwitz scored as Steve Bruce played mainly reserves and still ran roughshod over Boro.
Yeovil Town 4-0 Leyton Orient
The Championship side handled its business against an injury-ravaged Orient side. Two goals for James Hayter grabbed the headlines.
Onto the replays…
Blackburn 1-1 Manchester City (click for recap)
Bristol City 1-1 Watford
Ipswich Town 1-1 Preston North End
Kidderminster 0-0 Peterborough
Macclesfield Town 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich 1-1 Fulham
Wigan Athletic 3-3 MK Dons
