Rafa: We weren’t cup to it

Rafa Benitez confessed he had to sacrifice Newcastle’s chances of a cup run as he defended their shock fourth-round exit at the hands of Oxford.

A Curtis Nelson double and Tony Martinez’s strike gave the League One side a 3-0 win over the Championship title contenders.

Despite trailing Benitez refused to turn to his bench – which featured DeAndre Yedlin, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran – until late on. By that time it was too late.

When asked if he couldn’t risk his key players because his squad lacks the depth to fight on two fronts he replied: “Yes, it’s very clear.

“I said before the match that if we go through it has to be using the whole squad. If we can’t, we can’t.”

Elsewehere, Premier League leaders Chelsea had no such squad issues as they thrashed west London rivals Brentford 4-0.

The Blues made nine changes to their starting 11 but still had too much for the Championship side as Willian, Pedro, Branislav Ivanovic and Michy Batshuayi found the net.

It was comfortable afternoon as well for title rivals Manchester City who won 3-0 at Crystal Palace thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure.

In a slice of cup magic, National League leaders Lincoln reached the last 16 for the first time in 115 years with a 3-1 win over Championship leaders Brighton.

Richie Towell had given the big guns an early lead but Alan Power’s penalty sparked a City fightback before a Fikayo Tomori own goal and Theo Robinson strike sent the Sincil Bank faithful into dreamland.

A Sam Gallagher header and an Elliott Bennett long-ranger gave Blackburn a 2-0 win over 10-man Blackpool at Ewood Park, Kelvin Mellor seeing red.