Chelsea survives big scare in shootout win over Norwich
Blues advance despite playing two men short over final four minutes
LONDON — Chelsea was given a scare by Norwich in the FA Cup on Wednesday, only advancing on penalties after conceding an equalizer in stoppage time at the end of the second half and having two players sent off.
Eden Hazard struck the winning kick in a 5-3 shootout win for last season’s runners-up on a night of drama in the third-round replay against second-tier opposition.
“It was not our best game of the season,” Hazard said.
Chelsea looked all set for the fourth round thanks to Michy Batshuayi’s strike 10 minutes into the second half that ended the London team’s goal drought of more than 5½ hours.
But Norwich produced an equalizer with almost the last kick of regulation time. Timm Klose crossed from the left flank and Jamal Lewis evaded Davide Zappacosta to guide a header into the roof of the net.
There was confusion at the start of extra time when Chelsea midfielder Willian was booked for diving rather than being awarded a penalty after going down under Klose’s challenge. It was unclear if the referee used evidence from the video assistant referees — the experimental system being tried out in the cup.
Chelsea finished with nine men after two red cards in the final four minutes.
Pedro Rodriguez received a second yellow card for fouling, then Alvaro Morata was booked for diving and again for remonstrating.
Chelsea coach Antonio Conte berated the match officials as the teams prepared for the shootout, when the hosts converted all their kicks, but Nelson Oliveira’s miss for Norwich proved costly.
There was success for lower-league opposition in a replay as third-tier Wigan beat Premier League side Bournemouth 3-0 with goals from Sam Morsy, Dan Burn and Callum Elder.
It’s five years since Wigan became the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated from the Premier League in the same season. Wigan will play West Ham in the fourth round.
Swansea beat second-tier leader Wolverhampton 2-1 to set up a trip to Notts County.
The opening goal from Jordan Ayew evoked memories of Ricky Villa’s acclaimed 1981 cup final goal for Tottenham, with the Swansea forward evading six challenges before slotting into the Wolves net.
In the second half, Diogo Jota equalized, but Wilfried Bony secured Swansea’s passage into the fourth round. Barca streak ends at 29 games
Lionel Messi missed a penalty and Barcelona conceded late as its 29-match unbeaten streak ended in a 1-0 loss to city rival Espanyol in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday.
Messi failed from the spot in the 62nd minute, his shot brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Youngster Oscar Melendo netted the winner for the hosts with his first goal as a professional in the 88th minute.
“I have no words, I was looking forward to this first goal,” said the 20-year-old Melendo.
It was Espanyol’s first win against Barcelona at its RCDE Stadium.
The second leg of the Catalan derby is next week at Camp Nou.
Barcelona hadn’t lost since a 2-0 setback at the hands of Real Madrid in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 16. It had won 23 of its last 29 matches in all competitions.
“We knew we would lose one day,” Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said. “The positive thing is that, in a week, we have a chance to rebound and advance.”