Zabaleta scores first goal for three years as Moyes’ winning start continues

Pablo Zabaleta was West Ham’s unlikely saviour as they battled past League One Gillingham in the FA Cup third round.

Hammers manager David Moyes, in only the second match since he was parachuted back to his former role, named his strongest available side in a bid to avoid a possible upset.

Zabaleta, the 34-year-old Argentine, was only on the field as a substitute after an injury to Ryan Fredericks, but scored his first goal in almost three years to break the deadlock midway through the second half.

Then, as Gillingham chased an equaliser, fellow sub Pablo Fornals finished them off with a breakaway goal in stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win.

Goals by Callum Robinson and Leon Clarke helped Sheffield United progress after they made 11 changes ahead of the 2-1 win over non-league AFC Fylde.

Jordan Williams set up a tense finale at Bramall Lane by pulling one back for the lowest-ranked team in the third round.

First-half strikes by Callum

Hudson-odoi and Ross Barkley gave Chelsea a 2-0 success over Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge while, four miles away, QPR thrashed fellow Championship side Swansea 5-1.

Jordan Hugill’s double, plus goals by Bright Osayi-samuel, Lee Wallace and Josh Scowen did the damage for the Hoops, while substitute George Byers netted the Swans’ consolation at Loftus Road.

Elsewhere, League Two Northampton upset Burton with a 4-2 win at the Pirelli Stadium. Nicky Adams, Ryan Watson, Charlie Goode and Sam Hoskins were on target for the Cobblers, with Ryan Edwards and Scott Fraser scoring for the League One hosts.

Bristol Rovers centreback Tony Craig scored for both teams in a 2-2 draw with League One rivals Coventry at the Memorial Stadium. Rovers led through Jonson Clarkeharris’ early penalty before Liam Walsh claimed the visitors’ first equaliser.

Inyesterday’sotherties,kenneth Zohore earned West Brom a 1-0 success at Charlton, while second-half goals by Conor Chaplin and Luke Thomas helped Barnsley beat Crewe 3-1 after Alex midfielder Paul Green had cancelled out Jacob Brown’s opener.