Eight-time winners Chelsea avoided being taken to penalties as Plymouth Argyle’s Ryan Hardie missed a penalty in the 118th minute
The Emirates FA Cup fourth round provided plenty of drama on Saturday as major upsets were narrowly avoided.
The early kick-offs in particular came agonisingly close to producing that famed cup magic as two Premier Leagues were facing an early exit before battling to extra-time wins.
West Ham United travelled to National League North Kidderminster Harriers, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, and were a goal down within 19 minutes after Alex Penny directed a loose ball into the back of the net.
Much-changed West Ham were two minutes away from being knocked out before substitute Declan Rice found an equaliser in the 91st minute.
Kidderminster’s cup run was then heartbreakingly ended when Jarrod Bowen netted in the 121st minute as the Hammers avoided becoming the first top-flight team to be knocked out by sixth-tier opposition in the cup’s 151-year history.
In west London, Chelsea were also forced to fight back from a goal down after League One Plymouth Argyle’s Macaulay Gillesphey had opened the scoring.
Cesar Azpilicueta produced a delightful flick to get Chelsea back on level terms with four minutes of the first half to go but could not find the winner in regulation time.
Marcos Alonso eventually moved the eight-time winners into the lead at the halfway point of extra-time before Ryan Hardie missed an 118th -minute penalty that could have kept the Pilgrims’ cupset push going.
Peterborough United edged an all-Championship clash as they got the better of Queens Park Rangers in a 2-0 win.
Winger Joe Ward put Posh ahead in the 25th minute before Ricky-Jade Jones made sure of the victory with 18 minutes left as Peterborough advanced to the fifth round proper of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 1986.
Crystal Palace never looked back after taking an early lead over League Two Hartlepool United, eventually cruising to a 2-0 triumph.
Marc Guehi had opened the scoring for the Eagles in the fourth minute, tapping home a cross from Michael Olise.
Olise would then turn goalscorer after latching onto a Conor Gallagher cross as Palace withstood unrelenting pressure from Hartlepool who couldn’t find reward for their hard work.
Elsewhere, Manchester City responded in rapid fashion after going 1-0 down to Championship side Fulham in the fourth minute, hitting two quickfire goals to take the lead in the with 13 minutes gone.
Ilkay Gundogan and John Stones moved City ahead before a brace from Riyad Mahrez secured a 4-1 win and a place in the next round.
Everton recorded a victory by the same scoreline as they faced off against fellow Premier League side Brentford at Goodison Park.
A Scottish connection sent Norwich City into the hat for the fifth round as Kenny McLean headed home a cross from compatriot Billy Gilmour to earn the Canaries a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The home side were looking to close out a quiet first half before McLean connected with Gilmour’s cross to earn resurgent Norwich their fourth win in five games in all competitions.
First-half substitute Yerry Mina put the Toffees ahead in the 31st minute before Richarlison doubled their advantage just after the restart.
Ivan Toney converted a penalty to put pressure on the home side but goals from Mason Holgate and Andros Townsend move the game out of sight as new manager Frank Lampard got his Toffees tenure off to a promising start.
In an all-Yorkshire clash, Duane Holmes’ goal in the 19th minute was enough to see Huddersfield Town advance as they defeated Barnsley 1-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Barnsley, who sit 21 places below Huddersfield at the bottom of the Championship, failed to register a shot on target in a one-sided game.
Ten-man Wigan Athletic sunk to a 2-0 defeat to Stoke City who scored a goal in either half at the bet365 stadium.
Josh Maja put the Potters ahead in the 14th minute, much to the dismay of 4,000 travelling Wigan fans before Jacob Brown moved the contest out of the Latics’ reach.
To make matters worse, Gwion Edwards was then shown a second yellow card in the 73rd minute, four minutes after receiving his first, as the Latics ended the game with ten players.Expand
Championship side Luton Town were comfortable 3-0 winners against Cambridge United of League One as they became only the third team of the day to win away.
Southampton needed extra-time to beat Championship side Coventry City, as Kyle Walker-Peters strike in the 112th minute saw them eke out a 2-1 win at St Mary’s.
Tottenham Hotspur rounded out Saturday’s action with a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and an own goal by Solly March.
