FA CUP LATEST
Jones’ wonder -strike secures Liverpool another derby win
A STUNNING strike from 18-year-old Curtis Jones gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton in their FA Cup, third round tie at Anfield yesterday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made nine changes to his side, giving starts to three teenagers, while his Italian counterpart Carlo Ancelotti opted for a largely fullstrength Everton line-up.
Everton had the better chances, with Liverpool keeper Adrian foiling goalbound efforts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Holgate and Richarlison in the first half, but a youthful Liverpool side played the more enterprising football.
Jones, a local-born academy product, delivered the killer blow in the 71st minute with a superb curling effort into the top corner, leaving Everton without a win against their rivals since October, 2010.
Earlier, Crystal Palace joined the list of Premier League sides to go out of this season’s FA Cup at the first hurdle after they lost 1-0 at home to Derby County.
Chris Martin’s 32nd-minute goal was enough to give the Championship side victory against a Palace team who ended with 10 men after the sending-off of Luka Milivojevic.
Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 and Sheffield United saw off non-league Fylde 2-1 to reach round four but Tottenham will have to replay after drawing 1-1 at another Championship side Middlesbrough.
Palace went the same way as Aston Villa and Brighton as they were beaten at home by a tenacious Derby side.
Martin gave the visitors the lead with an outstretched boot on 32 minutes and Palace then had Milivojevic sent off, his yellow card upgraded to a red after referee Michael Oliver consulted the pitchside monitor.
Derby manager Phillip Cocu praised the influence of former England captain Wayne Rooney in just his second appearance for the team.
“He knows when to receive the ball and has great delivery when he gives it,” Cocu said.
“A big part of the success today is the combination between him and Tom Huddlestone – it was a pleasure to watch.
“Overall it was an excellent team performance.
“We tried to take the initiative even though it was an away game.”
Goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley saw Chelsea past Nottingham Forest while Sheffield
United joined them in the hat for round four despite a late scare against non-league Fylde.
Callum Robinson and Leon Clarke put United 2-0 up with half an hour to go but though Jordan Williams pulled one back for Fylde, they could not force an equalizer.
Ashley Fletcher put Middlesbrough in front against Tottenham but Lucas Moura secured a replay for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Jordan Hugill scored twice as Queens Park Rangers thumped fellow Championship side Swansea 5-1, while West Brom, Barnsley and Northampton all advanced to the fourth round.
Bristol Rovers drew 2-2 with Coventry in the day’s other early match.
Arsenal face Leeds tonight.