Stoke crash out, Chelsea held
SHOWN THE DOOR Stoke City manager Mark Hughes sacked following side’s loss to Coventry City
LONDON: Fourth-tier Coventry City piled on the misery for Stoke City manager Mark Hughes by pulling off the only genuine upset on a hectic day of FA Cup thirdround action on Saturday.
Former Cup winners Coventry, now plying their trade in the bottom division of the Football League, revived memories of happier times as Jordan Willis and Jack Grimmer scored the goals in a 2-1 victory.
Stoke Manager Mark Hughes was sacked following the loss on Saturday.
Elsewhere, the 25 ties offered only crumbs for the romantics seeking Cup magic although second tier Norwich City did hold champions Chelsea to a 0-0 draw.
Top-flight Bournemouth needed a late Steve Cook goal to draw 2-2 at home to League One leaders Wigan Athletic and Leicester City drew 0-0 at thirdtier Fleetwood Town.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes and his side struggled to make clear-cut chances in a dour game at Norwich.
Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City maintained their pursuit of an unprecedented four trophies, Sergio Aguero scoring twice as they came from a goal down to beat Burnley 4-1. Goals by Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva killed off Burnley who had led at halftime thanks to an Ashley Barnes effort.
Alan Pardew enjoyed his first win as West Bromwich Albion manager as his team beat fourthtier Exeter City 2-0, Southampton overcame Championship side Fulham 1-0 and bottom club Swansea City held on for a worthy 0-0 draw at free-scoring Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Seven-times Cup winners Aston Villa lost 3-1 at home to third-tier Peterborough United while Brentford, also from the second tier, were humbled by fourth-tier Notts County with Jon Stead scoring the winner.
RELEGATION ZONE
Stoke manager Hughes would have hoped for respite after his side’s tumble into the Premier League’s relegation zone, but there was none coming in the Midlands clash as they suffered a sixth defeat in the last eight .
“It’s clearly a difficult time for us. When we make mistakes, they’re getting penalised,” Hughes said.
“We’re all under pressure. I can take the pressure and the focus. I’m not naive and I realise people will talk about my position. But we’ve got good owners who will make the right decisions for the club.”
Coventry won the Cup in 1987 but have been on a downward spiral since they were relegated from the top flight in 2001 and are in England’s bottom tier for the first time since 1959. But there are signs of a revival and the mood was joyous on Saturday.
Willis headed Coventry in front and although Charlie Adam levelled for Stoke from the penalty spot Grimmer fired home Coventry’s winner in the 68th minute.
Manager Mark Robins said he would love to draw his old club Manchester United in round four.
“For us it’s brilliant, we’re in the fourth-round draw. Hopefully, we’ll get a big club away from home - United away would be perfect,” he said.
Newcastle United scored three times in nine minutes - Ayoze Perez with two - to see off League Two leaders Luton Town while fellow top-flight side Watford made light of a poor recent run to beat second-tier high-fliers Bristol City who are in League Cup semi-final action against Manchester City next week.
In a north-east derby, Middlesbrough deepened Sunderland’s gloom with a 2-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium.
For us it’s brilliant, we’re in the fourthround draw. Hopefully, we’ll get a big club away from home United away would be perfect
MARK ROBINS, Coventry City manager on advancing to the next round