Soccer-Relief for West Ham and Chelsea as they flirt with shock FA Cup exits

KIDDERMINSTER, England (Reuters) – West Ham United and Chelsea each narrowly prevented ignominious FA Cup exits with slender wins towards lower-league opposition however Everton marked Frank Lampard’s first sport in cost by sauntering previous Brentford into the fifth spherical on Saturday.

A day devoid of shocks additionally had Premier League leaders Manchester Metropolis crush second-tier Fulham 4-1 whereas relegation strugglers Norwich Metropolis loved a morale-boosting 1-0 win at top-flight rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After Middlesbrough’s unimaginable penalty shoot-out win at 12-time winners Manchester United on Friday, the stage was set for sixth-tier Kidderminster Harriers to produce some FA Cup magic as they hosted high-flying West Ham United.

And the way shut they got here.

Kidderminster led for 72 minutes due to Alex Penny’s side-footed purpose within the nineteenth minute however with one of many nice FA Cup shocks brewing, Declan Rice levelled in stoppage time.

Then, as penalties loomed on the finish of additional time, Jarrod Bowen broke Kidderminster’s hearts to earn West Ham a 2-1 win.

It was merciless on the facet 121 locations under West Ham within the standings and visiting supervisor David Moyes, whereas delighted at his facet’s let-off, reserved some sympathy for the minnows.

“In fact I feel Kidderminster deserved the chance to take it to penalty kicks,” Moyes mentioned.

“Kidderminster had been wonderful at this time, they ready nicely for us. They’ve had video games once we haven’t so we must always have come into it because the brisker crew however they regarded extra prepared for the entire state of affairs.”

Kidderminster supervisor Russell Penn mentioned his facet had put their “coronary heart and soul” into the sport.

“After all we’re dissatisfied by the timing of the objectives, however I couldn’t be any extra proud,” he mentioned.

Chelsea didn’t go away it fairly so late but in addition needed to come from behind to beat third-tier Plymouth Argyle 2-1 after additional time at Stamford Bridge.

Plymouth shocked the Premier League facet when defender Macaulay Gillesphey nodded the ball dwelling from a free kick by former Chelsea participant Jordan Houghton within the eighth minute.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta equalised within the forty first minute with a neat flick and fellow Spaniard Marcos Alonso then struck within the sixteenth minute of additional time.

Even then Plymouth weren’t executed and so they had been awarded a penalty 5 minutes from time when Malang Sarr introduced down Ryan Hardie within the field however Spain’s Kepa Arrizabalaga dived low to his left to save lots of Hardie’s shot.

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel was not on the sport after testing optimistic for COVID-19.

“We put ourselves in bother with the penalty on the finish however all people would say within the FA Cup an important factor is to undergo and that’s what we did,” Tuchel’s stand-in for the day Arno Michels mentioned.

Man Metropolis fell behind to an early purpose by Liverpool goal Fabio Carvalho on the Etihad Stadium however Ilkay Gundogan rapidly equalised and John Stones put them forward earlier than halftime.

Riyad Mahrez scored twice within the second half.

Everton followers gave Lampard a rousing reception at Goodison Park and went dwelling glad because the Toffees simply beat Brentford.

Yerry Mina powered in a header within the thirty first minute and Richarlison doubled Everton’s benefit three minutes later.

Ivan Toney obtained Brentford again within the tie with a penalty however Mason Holgate restored Everton’s two-goal lead and Andros Townsend wrapped up the win in stoppage time.

Crystal Palace beat fourth-tier Hartlepool United 2-0 whereas in a match between former FA Cup winners, Southampton beat second-tier Coventry Metropolis 2-1 after additional time.

Kenny McLean was on the right track for Norwich as they beat Wolves to succeed in the fifth spherical for less than the second time in 10 seasons.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, enhancing by Christian Radnedge)