FA CUP ROUND-UP
WOLVES followed up their Premier League win at Manchester United with a 3-0 victory at home against SHEFFIELD UNITED thanks to a Daniel Podence double.
The Portugal forward slotted home the first after 10 minutes, before sending Rayan Ait-Nouri free down the left to cross for Nelson Semedo in the second half. He then added a third after substitute Raul Jimenez forced Blades keeper Wes Foderingham into an error. ‘He’s very clever,’ said boss Bruno Lage of Podence (right) after the game. ‘He understands his role very well. He gives me solutions.’
STOKE boss Michael O’Neill praised Tom Ince’s contribution to their first win in the FA Cup since 2016 courtesy of a 2-0 victory over League Two side LEYTON ORIENT. The midfielder put the Championship play-off hopefuls into a 43rd-minute lead. And it was Ince’s assist that led to substitute Tyrese Campbell confirming Stoke’s progress to round four after 89 minutes. ‘Tom is in good form,’ said O’Neill. ‘He has had to be patient because he hasn’t had the opportunities. But he trains well and is a good professional.’
LUTON assistant manager Mick Harford returned to the dugout for the first time since treatment for prostate cancer, and was given a superb reception before his side’s 4-0 win over League Two side HARROGATE.
The former England striker made over 200 appearances during two spells at Luton and managed them in 2008. ‘I’m never shocked by these fans,’ said 62-year-old Harford. ‘It was overwhelming for me with that ovation. It’s unbelievable how they have supported me and my family.’
SOUTHAMPTON goalscorer Mohamed Elyounoussi bemoaned the lack of fans after his extra-time strike earned a 3-2 win at SWANSEA.
There are no spectators permitted at Welsh events and scorer Elyounoussi said: ‘Football without fans is boring and it is not the same. It was so quiet when we scored.’
Marc Albrighton hopes LEICESTER have launched another Wembley charge after beginning their defence of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory over WATFORD. ‘We are here to retain the FA Cup,’ said Albrighton. ‘We have proved we can do it before and that is our first step to doing it again.’ BRENTFORD made it into the fourth round thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s 21-minute hat-trick at PORT VALE. ‘Last year showed we really wanted to do well in the Carabao Cup in the most congested Championship ever,’ Thomas Frank said. ‘I want to go far again.’ Graham Potter made seven changes as BRIGHTON advanced with a 2-1 victory at WEST BROM.
Poya Asbaghi laid into his BARNSLEY players after they claimed a 5-4 win against 10-man BARROW. Substitute Carlton Morris netted the winner for the Championship side after League Two Barrow twice levelled in the final four minutes to force extra time. Asbaghi said: ‘I’m disappointed with our mentality. I think our reaction after their first goal is not acceptable.’ Ebere Eze starred in CRYSTAL PALACE’S 2-1 win at MILLWALL as he made his first start in eight months following recovery from an achilles injury sustained in May.