Everton’s last-gasp match equaliser came from big money striker Lukaku
For most, The FA Cup starts with the Third Round into which England’s big name clubs enjoy a free passage. Over the weekend and again last night, it lived up to the billing with some thrilling encounters. There were fewer shocks than the hectic Christmas EPL programme might have suggested, certainly not enough to satisfy those who punt on Black Swans. Apart from Everton’s last minute equaliser last night, any interesting aside from the Goodison Park match was in the advertising hoardings. Cape Town-based Warwick Wealth, Everton’s Cup sponsor, got its branding exposed to a global audience. Also strongly evident was the branding of Vitality, South African-headquartered Discovery’s revolutionary rewards offering that’s now moving aggressively into the UK. As for us West Ham supporters – would have preferred it if the team could have held on for a famous victory for just a few more minutes, but on the upside, the prospect of an Upton Park replay is mouth watering. What follows below is our comprehensive wrap up of the FA Cup’s Third Round. – AH
West Ham denied by late equaliser – Martinez believes it could change Everton’s season
By Timothy Abraham of Agence France-Presse
Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes his side’s fightback to earn an FA Cup replay against West Ham United could be the turning point in their season.
The Toffees were on the brink of elimination from the competition at the end of the 90 minutes against West Ham after defender James Collins had headed the visitors in front early in the second half.
But Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku ensured their third-round tie finished 1-1 when he got on the end of Bryan Oviedo’s cross in injury time and smashed the ball home from close range.
Lukaku’s late equaliser also took some of the heat off Martinez, who had been under pressure following a run of four consecutive defeats before this game.
“I am pleased with the character and our never-give-up attitude. It could easily be a turning point in our season,” said Martinez.
“That could really get us out of the moment we have. When you get into that wrong dynamic when everything that can goes wrong and you can feel sorry for yourself, I don’t think the players accepted that.
“It felt like a win going into the dressing room. Many people would say you don’t want an extra game. We embrace it. To still be involved in the FA Cup is a real positive.
“It is a bit of a snowball reaction when you get good results, you get confidence and get better.”
Scoring spree
Martinez, who confirmed the absence of left-back Leighton Baines from the side was not serious, believes Lukaku’s goal can now help him go on scoring spree.
“The whole week he has trained very well,” Martinez said. “His attitude was perfect. Romelu at his best will change games. We carry a different threat with him.
“I was really pleased with his attitude showing real responsibility and maturity. In a period like ours you have two options, you can shy away and hide or you can take responsibility.
“Five defeats would have been very damaging but you always get an opportunity to win the next game.
“At the moment the FA Cup is such an important competition for us it would have been a horrendous setback. It is very important we are still in the cup and now look forward to the next game in the league, still aware we are in a bad run.”
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted his side must learn to handle Lukaku after the Toffees forward notched his fourth goal in as many matches against the Hammers.
“That man scored against us again,” Allardyce said. “Every time he plays against us he seems to score. We could have got a better cushion but I’m pleased with the efforts of the players.
“The lads played well considering some of them haven’t played as much as we like. But we could have done so much better for the equaliser.
“We got a little desperate and instead of defending in the wide areas we let Oviedo in.
“We could have done better, relieved the pressure, stayed on our feet, so it is really disappointing when it is so late in the game. It is never a particularly easy place to come to but we were more than a match for Everton.”
Allardyce confirmed striker Andy Carroll had missed the tie through injury but should be fit enough for their Premier League clash away to Swansea.
“He kicked the floor in training and bruised his foot,” Allardyce added. “But he will be fit and well for Saturday.” © 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard – his two goals sunk brave Wimbledon
Gerrard denies valiant Wimbledon as Reds squeeze through
Departing captain Steven Gerrard illustrated his importance to Liverpool with two goals as his side avoided FA Cup third-round embarrassment by winning 2-1 at fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon on Monday.
Playing in his first game since announcing that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Gerrard put the visitors ahead with a 12th-minute header at the 4,850-capacity Kingsmeadow stadium in south-west London.
Wimbledon’s man-mountain centre-forward Adebayo Akinfenwa, a Liverpool fan, stabbed home a 36th-minute equaliser, but Gerrard netted a fine free-kick in the second half to earn Brendan Rodgers’s side a home tie with Bolton Wanderers in round four.
“It is going to be my last time, so I want to go all the way,” said Gerrard, a two-time FA Cup-winner, whose 35th birthday falls on the day of this season’s final.
“This is the beauty of the FA Cup. Form goes out of the window. Wimbledon were honest and gave us a real test.”
Gerrard’s strike prevented Neil Ardley’s hosts from emulating the original Wimbledon’s famous 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final, when Lawrie Sanchez scored the only goal and Dave Beasant saved a penalty from John Aldridge.
But despite defeat, the night proved a triumph for the club, which was formed by supporters in 2002 after Wimbledon were moved 56 miles (90 kilometres) north to Milton Keynes and rebranded as Milton Keynes Dons after failing to find a new ground in the local area.
Having started life in the ninth tier of the English league system, AFC Wimbledon have been promoted five times in the last 11 years and were appearing in the third round for the first time.
“I’ve told the players they have done the club proud, but also they should kick themselves because we are in the business of winning and not being good losers,” beaten manager Ardley told the BBC.
Liverpool manager Rodgers conceded it had been a “tough game”, saying: “Congratulations to AFC Wimbledon. They made it very difficult.”
Sloppy defending
Although Rodgers named a strong team, showing only four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Leicester City on New Year’s Day, it was the hosts who threatened first, with Sean Rigg running onto Matt Tubbs’s flick-on and dragging a shot across goal.
But it was Liverpool who took the lead, with Gerrard spraying a pass wide to right wing-back Javi Manquillo before steaming into the box to meet the Spaniard’s cross with a stooping header.
Lazar Markovic then flashed a cross-shot wide of the Wimbledon goal, but having tested Liverpool’s strength, the home side began to make inroads, abetted by some dangerously sloppy defending.
Rigg saw a close-range snapshot brilliantly tipped over by Simon Mignolet and Tubb hooked a shot fractionally wide before Akinfenwa netted the equaliser.
After Mignolet failed to come for a corner, the ball bounced off Mamadou Sakho’s arm, hit the bar and bounced down for the barrel-chested centre-forward to prod home from a yard.
Wimbledon, 72 places below Liverpool in the league pyramid, threatened to create a sensation early in the second period, with Gerrard obliged to clear a header from Adam Barrett off his own line and Rigg blazing over after stealing past Emre Can.
But a foul on Philippe Coutinho by Barry Fuller on the edge of the Wimbledon box gave Gerrard a chance to restore the visitors’ lead and he took it, arcing a trademark free-kick into the top-left corner.
Dannie Bulman almost equalised within seconds of the restart, but he blazed narrowly over with his left foot.
Liverpool finished the game strongly, with James Shea saving from Rickie Lambert, Coutinho, Gerrard and Markovic, but only a brave stop by Mignolet prevented substitute Adebayo Azeez from equalising in stoppage time.
Gerrard, meanwhile, was denied a hat-trick at the death when his goal-bound shot was blocked on the line by Callum Kennedy, as a captivating cup tie came to a close. © 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
Burnley’s injury-plagued striker returns to frustrate high flying Tottenham
Burnley rescued a 1-1 draw against Tottenham in the FA Cup as injury-plagued striker Sam Vokes scored for the first-time since March in Monday’s third round tie at Turf Moor.
Vokes came off the bench for only his second appearance of the season following his long battle to recover from a ruptured cruciate knee ligament and the Wales forward marked the occasion with a second half equaliser to earn a replay at White Hart Lane.
Nacer Chadli had given Tottenham the lead early in the second half, but neither team could secure a home tie against Leicester in the fourth round.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino made seven changes from the team that enjoyed a 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year’s Day, but all the switches contributed to a lacklustre first half.
With Tottenham lacking cohesion and Burnley also struggling to find any rhythm, the tie degenerated into a scrappy midfield battle, with neither side managing even a single shot.
Pochettino responded to the stalemate by sending on leading scorer Harry Kane for Benjamin Stambouli at half-time.
Kane had scored six goals in the last six games, and 16 in all competitions, and his introduction finally sparked Tottenham into life.
The visitors threatened twice in quick succession as Roberto Soldado saw his strike from the edge of the penalty area deflected wide and Federico Fazio then headed straight at Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
When Kane scuffed a low strike wide from 20 yards, there had already been more goalmouth action in the first few minutes of the second period than in the entire first half.
Danny Ings had Burnley’s first shot moments later when the striker’s 20 yarder forced a routine stop from Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
But it was Spurs who took the lead in the 56th minute when Ben Davies picked out Chadli with a cross from the right and the Belgian winger coolly slotted his shot past Heaton.
Michael Keane should have equalised in the 70th minute when the on-loan Manchester United defender headed narrowly wide from a good position.
Dean Marney also went close with a rising drive as Burnley pressed for an equaliser that eventually arrived in the 73rd minute.
It was a simple but well worked goal as Kieran Trippier crossed from the right and substitute Vokes side-footed home for his first of a nightmare campaign.
Chadli could have spared Tottenham a replay but he shot wide in the closing minutes.
© 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
Man City want to reward matchwinner Milner with new contract
by Ian WHITTELL of Agence France-Presse
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he wanted James Milner’s contract situation to be resolved quickly after the England midfielder’s brace took the club into the FA Cup fourth round.
Milner ended a run of over two years without a goal at the Etihad Stadium by scoring both goals in Sunday’s 2-1 third-round victory over Sheffield Wednesday, including a 91st-minute winner.
The former Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa player, who turned 29 on Sunday, will be out of contract at the end of the season, but Pellegrini hopes a new deal will prove a formality.
“There is no news on the contract for the moment. But I hope we will find an arrangement,” Pellegrini said.
“I’ve said already what I think about James Milner. He’s a very useful player. I brought him on in our last game as a substitute and I think he made more chances than a lot of players, three or four clear chances.
“But he always plays at 100 percent commitment and intensity for the team so I am happy with him.”
Pellegrini named a strong team for the tie and ended up with an even stronger one after bringing on David Silva and Samir Nasri, who combined for Milner’s 66th-minute equaliser and helped turned the game on its head.
As his use of personnel proved, it is a competition that Pellegrini says his club take seriously, with City having won the FA Cup in 2011 and lost in the final to Wigan Athletic two years later.
“The FA Cup means a lot for all the English teams,” said the Chilean.
“It is the most traditional cup, the cup you are only going to play one game each month from now until May, so of course we want to be involved until the last stage.
“I’m relieved because I think we didn’t play well. We played very badly, except the last 20 minutes, when maybe we found another gear and tried to create space against a team that defended very well.”
‘Tired minds’
One senior player who was rested for the entire 90 minutes was England goalkeeper Joe Hart, with Willy Caballero starting in goal for the second consecutive match.
But Pellegrini confirmed that Hart will return for City’s next league outing, at Everton on Saturday.
“It’s not a difficult decision,” said the City manager.
“Joe knows what I think about his performance. Willy played the last two games, but against Everton. Joe will return to his position because he is doing very well.”
Considering the previous meeting between the two clubs had ended in a 7-0 win for City in the League Cup in September, it was a fantastic effort by Wednesday, who delighted their large contingent of travelling supporters by going ahead in the 14th minute through Atdhe Nuhiu.
“The last time we were here, we got beat 7-0,” said manager Stuart Gray.
“It was 0-0 at half-time and second half they went up a gear and put seven past us so it was nice to go in at half-time one-up. We thoroughly deserved it.
“We frustrated them and, in the end, they showed us total respect putting on David Silva, Nasri and (Gael) Clichy and, in the end, tired minds caught us out. They kept the ball better than us the last 15 minutes.” © 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
Wenger praises tireless Alexis Sanchez
by Steven GRIFFITHS of Agence France-Presse
Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez’s tireless display in Arsenal’s FA Cup win against Hull proves the Chile forward has the stamina to lead the Gunners’ challenge for silverware.
Despite playing three times in seven days over the festive period, Sanchez looked remarkably fresh as he helped the holders kick off their defence of the Cup with a 2-0 third round success at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Wenger had considered resting Sanchez against the Tigers but, with a victory essential after last week’s lacklustre defeat at Southampton, he felt the former Barcelona star would be a vital presence.
Sanchez repaid Wenger’s faith by delivering the corner that set up Per Mertesacker’s first half opener and he capped a lively performance with a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area in the closing stages.
The 26-year-old has now scored 16 times in his debut season with the Gunners and Wenger is confident that, unlike many foreign stars who struggle to adapt to the gruelling demands of English football, Sanchez will still be going strong when the trophies are handed out in May.
“He always looked dangerous,” Wenger said. “He is incisive, penetrating and has a good change of direction. He is interesting to watch because he has a good fighting spirit as well.
“I was tempted to rest him but I knew it was an important game for us and he seemed ready.
“I hope we can keep this level of energy for the whole season. When a player is confident it is important to keep them playing.
“He has the physical potential to recover very quickly and our tests show he doesn’t seem to have any fatigue
Clinical Gunners
After a frustratingly inconsistent first half of the season, Wenger knew Arsenal could ill-afford another setback on Sunday and he took heart from the clinical way his players stuck to the task of killing off lacklustre Hull.
“I believe we had a serious performance. We were in control. It is a positive game because we created many chances,” Wenger said.
“It took us a while to get the second goal so you never know what can happen but overall we had a good performance.”
Wenger was also pleased Theo Walcott made his first start for a year as the England winger stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury sustained against Tottenham in the FA Cup third round last season.
Walcott lasted 76 minutes, showing a few glimpses of his blistering pace and prompting Wenger to say: “There were some positive signs, he was dangerous.
“He has not lost the quality of his runs. He lacks a little the competition because he has been out for a year, but what he has done today after being out so long is quite positive.”
Just eight months after suffering the heartache of blowing a two-goal lead in the FA Cup final against Arsenal, this was a tame exit for Hull.
Manager Steve Bruce made 10 changes after deciding the fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League was more important than another cup run.
“It is a fair result, we huffed and puffed but didn’t have any cutting edge to make the cup tie come alive,” Bruce said.
“It was a big ask to come to the Emirates after three games in six days.
“It wasn’t a case of disrespecting the cup because we had one of the best days of our lives in the competition last year.”
With the survival fight in mind, Bruce reaffirmed his interest in signing former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe from FC Toronto.
“Most clubs in our position would like a player like Jermain,” he said.
“If there is a chance, we would be interested in him, but I don’t want to get the hopes up of all the Hull supporters. He might be too expensive.” © 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
ManU to travel to another minnow in Fourth Round draw
Manchester United will have to subdue another potential giant-killer after the 11-time FA Cup winners were handed a fourth round trip to League Two minnows Cambridge United in Monday’s draw.
Louis van Gaal’s team were paired with the lowest ranked team left in the Cup and will head to the tiny Abbey Stadium on the weekend of January 24-25.
A total of 79 league places separate Richard Money’s side with van Gaal’s star-studded line-up, who were able to avoid an embarrassing third round defeat at League One outfit Yeovil on Sunday as they cruised to a 2-0 win.
Holders Arsenal, 2-0 winners against last season’s beaten finalists Hull in the third round on Sunday, will also be hoping to avoid an upset when they travel to Championship team Brighton.
Manchester City host Championship promotion contenders Middlesbrough after coming from behind to win 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday, another second tier team, on Sunday.
Premier League leaders Chelsea could face a feisty London derby against Millwall at Stamford Bridge if the Lions come through their replay with Bradford City.
Jose Mourinho’s men will be heavy favourites to advance whether they face Championship strugglers Millwall or League One promotion chasers Bradford, although the Lions knocked Chelsea out of the Cup in 1995 and 1985.
Liverpool, 2-1 winners over AFC Wimbledon on Monday, will host Bolton as they continue their bid to say farewell to departing captain Steven Gerrard with a Wembley victory.
Gerrard, who announced last week that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, turns 35 on the day of the FA Cup final — which would be his final match for the Reds if they make it.
Sheffield United’s reward for their shock 3-0 win over QPR on Sunday is a trip to fellow third tier side Preston.
Draw for the fourth round of the English FA Cup made on Monday:
Southampton/Ipswich v Crystal Palace
Cambridge United v Manchester United
Blackburn v Swansea
Chelsea v Millwall/Bradford
Derby v Scunthorpe/Chesterfield
Preston v Sheffield United
Birmingham v West Brom
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Cardiff v Reading
Liverpool v Bolton
Burnley/Tottenham v Leicester
Brighton v Arsenal
Rochdale v Stoke
Sunderland v Fulham/Wolves
Doncaster/Bristol City v Everton/West Ham
Manchester City v Middlesbrough
Ties to be played across the weekend beginning January 24. © 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
All the FA Cup Third Round Results:
Played Tuesday:
Everton 1 (Lukaku 90) West Ham 1 (Collins 54)
Scunthorpe 2 (Davey 17, Taylor 43) Chesterfield 2 (Doyle 71-pen, O’Shea 84)
Played Monday:
AFC Wimbledon 1 (Akinfenwa 36) Liverpool 2 (Gerrard 12, 62)
Burnley 1 (Vokes 73) Tottenham 1 (Chadli 56)
Played Sunday:
Arsenal 2 (Mertesacker 20, Sanchez 82) Hull 0
Aston Villa 1 (Benteke 88) Blackpool 0
Chelsea 3 (Willian 58, Remy 70, Zouma 72) Watford 0
Dover 0 Crystal Palace 4 (Dann 10, 34, Gayle 68, Doyle 87)
Manchester City 2 (Milner 66, 90+1) Sheffield Wednesday 1 (Nuhiu 14)
QPR 0 Sheffield United 3 (McNulty 36, Campbell-Ryce 49, 90+4)
Southampton 1 (Schneiderlin 33) Ipswich 1 (Ambrose 19)
Stoke 3 (Arnautovic 80, Ireland 88, 90+4) Wrexham 1 (Carrington 73)
Sunderland 1 (Van Aanholt 33) Leeds United 0
Yeovil 0 Manchester United 2 (Herrera 64, Di Maria 90)
Played Saturday:
Barnsley 0 Middlesbrough 2 (Vossen 48, Ayala 84)
Blyth Spartans 2 (Dale 35, 41) Birmingham 3 (Novak 52, Thomas 55, 58)
Bolton 1 (Clough 76) Wigan 0
Brentford 0 Brighton 2 (Dunk 88, O’Grady 90+3)
Cambridge 2 (Simpson 27, Donaldson 66) Luton 1 (Harriman 74)
Charlton 1 (Gudmundsson 55) Blackburn 2 (Taylor 4, 59)
Derby 1 (Martin 90+3-pen) Southport 0
Doncaster 1 (McCullough 50) Bristol City 1 (Smith 75)
Fulham 0 Wolves 0
Huddersfield 0 Reading 1 (Blackman 69)
Leicester 1 (Ulloa 39) Newcastle 0
Millwall 3 (McDonald 36, Fuller 66, 83) Bradford 3 (Knott 6, 76, Nelson 70-og)
Preston 2 (Gallagher 71, 84) Norwich City 0
Rochdale 1 (Vincenti 12-pen) Nottingham Forest 0
Rotherham 1 (Brindley 10) Bournemouth 5 (MacDonald 44, Stanislas 58, Fraser 63, Kermorgant 67, 71)
Tranmere 2 (Power 70, Stockton 83) Swansea 6 (Dyer 34, Carroll 49, Barrow 58, Gomis 77, 90+4, Routledge 85)
West Brom 7 (Berahino 42, 46, 53, 90+2, Anichebe 45+1, Brunt 55, Morrison 79) Gateshead 0
Played Friday:
Cardiff 3 (Ralls 34, Harris 53, Jones 60) Colchester 1 (Sears 74) © 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse
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