Naij.com sport reviews the third round of the FA cup ends without any major upset from EPL teams like Arsenal, Watford and Manchester City.
Golas from Aguero, Iheanacho and Kevin Debruyne ensured Manchester city cruise to the next round despite leaving out seven regulars. Arsenal came back strong after they were stunned by Sunderland goal to thump them by three goal to one.
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Exeter 2-2 Liverpool
A late goal by Brad Smith earned Liverpool a draw at lowly Exeter, denying them a place in the fourth round.
With the Klopp side missing 12 regular players, five youngsters were given their debuts, presenting Exeter an opportunity to cause an upset. Tom Nichols put the home side ahead early on with Jeremy Sinclair equalising for Liverpool. Lee Holmes goal, direct from a corner kick on the stroke of half-time restored the advantage before Brad Smith spared Liverpool blushes by levelling the match.
This was a typical FA Cup match with a courageous display by the home side who now travel to Anfield for a well deserved pay-day on Wednesday week.
Wycombe 1-1 Aston Villa
Villa’s brittle confidence was exposed by a Wycombe side they should have dispatched with ease.
Remi Garde’s side rightfully took the lead midway through the first half when Micah Richard’s assist for Richard Gill was swept in. Joe Jacobson restored parity with a penalty in the 50th minute after Ashley Westwood’s reckless challenge on Matt Bloomfield, forcing a replay at Villa Park.
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
The FA Cup holders were stunned when Jeremy Lens put the away side ahead in the 17th minute, capitalising on a rare Koscielny error before Joel Campbell levelled the scoring eight minutes later.
The Gunners had several chances to put the game to bed before the interval but were denied by the excellent Sunderland goalie.
Arsenal stepped it up in the second half with the substitute Aaron Ramsey adding the second and Giroud added the icing on the cake with a comfortable victory, putting them safely through to the fourth round of the competition.
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Norwich 0-3 Manchester City
Goals by Aguero, Iheanacho and De Bruyne ensured City sail safely through to the fourth round.
A toe-poked finish after a brilliant run past three players by Aguero gave the Etihad outfit the lead, before squaring for Keleshi to side-foot past the Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy in the 31st minute. Kevin de Bruyne rounded off the scoring by twisting and turning past Ryan Bennett before slotting the ball past Ruddy in the 78th minute.
Even with seven changes to the side that lost at Everton on Wednesday, it was still a cruise for City without getting into second gear.
West Ham 1-0 Wolves
The first-half of this encounter was even with both sides trading blows with no end product until Payet and Carroll were thrown into the fray.
The home side played the better football in the second-half before Nikica Jelavic benefitted from a Carroll set up to volley a delightful strike past the keeper – his first goal for the Hammers, to fire his side to the fourth round.
Everton 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Despite a battling performance, goals from Arouna Kone and Kevin Mirallas made sure that the Toffees avoid an upset and through to the fourth round.
The league two side left the Goodison with their pride intact and head held up high, even with six regulars rested and seven injuries for Roberto Martinez’s side.
Here are the rest of the FA Cup third round results
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
Birmingham City 1-2 Bournemouth
Brentford 0-1 Walsall
Bury 0-0 Bradford City
Colchester United 2-1 Charlton Athletic
Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Stoke City
Eastleigh 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Everton 2-0 Dagenham and Redbridge
Hartlepool United 1-2 Derby County
Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading
Hull City 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion
Ipswich Town 2-2 Portsmouth
Leeds United 2-0 Rotherham United
Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley
Newport County P-P Blackburn Rovers
Northampton Town 2-2 MK Dons
Norwich City 0-3 Manchester City
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
Peterborough United 2-0 Preston North End
Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Fulham
Southampton 1-2 Crystal Palace
West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Bristol City
West Ham United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa
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