LONDON: Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City reached the FA Cup fourth round yesterday, but third-tier Sheffield United confirmed their cup pedigree by winning 3-0 at Queens Park Rangers.
Nigel Clough’s League One side, who reached last season’s semi-finals and face Tottenham Hotspur in the last four of this season’s League Cup, won via a Marc McNulty goal and a second-half brace from Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
QPR, whose manager, Harry Redknapp, made seven changes to his starting XI, became the second top-flight team to be knocked out in the third round following Newcastle United’s 1-0 loss at Leicester City on Saturday.
“We know we can come and compete with top teams,” said Sheffield United first-team coach Chris Morgan.
“It’s great to have a run in the cup — great for supporters and for the revenue of the club.”
Premier League joint-leaders Manchester City were given a scare by second-tier Sheffield Wednesday before coming through 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a 91st-minute winner from James Milner.
Wednesday had lost 7-0 at City in the League Cup in September, but they took a 14th-minute lead through Atdhe Nuhiu, only
for Milner, on his 29th birthday,
to equalise in the 66th minute before snatching a last-gasp winner.
City’s cross-town rivals Manchester United also recorded a hard-fought victory over lower-league opposition, winning 2-0 at third-tier Yeovil Town.
United manager Louis van Gaal named a strong side featuring Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao for his first FA Cup tie, but had to wait until the 64th minute for Ander Herrera to put the visitors in front with a looping 20-yard shot.
Yeovil continued to press, but United killed the game off in the last minute when Rooney freed substitute Angel di Maria to run through and chip home.
“I had expected this,” Van Gaal said. “It is always difficult to play against a team like this, who play long balls. You have to fight and they gave us a lot of pressure,” the Dutchman said.
Chelsea enjoyed a rather more straightforward victory, winning 3-0 at home to second-division Watford courtesy of second-half strikes by Willian, Loic Remy and Kurt Zouma.
It could prove a positive omen for Jose Mourinho’s side, as Chelsea beat Watford en route to glory in the competition in 1970, 2009 and 2010.
Southampton were taken to a replay by Championship side Ipswich Town after a 1-1 draw
at St Mary’s, while it took a stunning late strike by Christian Benteke for Aston Villa to
overcome second-tier Blackpool 1-0.
Holders Arsenal were scheduled to enter the competition later yesterday against Hull City at home in a repeat of last season’s final, which Arsene Wenger’s side won 3-2. AFP
