FA Cup roundup: Chelsea & Leicester survive scares, Everton through & Man Utd edge Liverpool

25 January 2021 01:15

There was another full-blooded day of FA Cup action on Sunday as a host of Premier League sides faced their fourth round ties, with three Championship teams in the mix too.

Unfortunately for cupset enthusiasts there were no huge shocks, but the tie of the round did not disappoint as Manchester United and Liverpool served up a five-goal thriller that could not have been more contrasting to their dour league meeting just one week ago.

With every clash featuring at least three goals, there was plenty of action on a wintery Sunday. Let's get into it...


The early kick off saw last season's finalists Chelsea look for a reprieve from their abysmal league form as they hosted Luton Town in the snow at Stamford Bridge.

Two early goals from Tammy Abraham suggested it would be a Blues cruise, however the customary Kepa Arrizabalaga howler allowed the Championship side back into the game and they nearly equalised, but for a redeeming save for the Spaniard.

Abraham eventually added a third for a fine hat-trick before Timo Werner missed a golden opportunity to nab a rare goal as his spot kick was saved. It ended 3-1.

Leicester faced second-tier opposition too in Brentford, and the Foxes were staring an upset in the face as they went in at half-time 1-0 down thanks to an early Mads Bech Sorensen tap-in.

James Maddison celebrates another goal | Clive Rose/Getty Images

However, a second-half rally from Brendan Rodger's side saw them roar back, with Cengiz Under, Youri Tielemans (pen) and James Maddison making it 3-1 and sparing their blushes.

Meanwhile, there was an all Premier League tie at Craven Cottage as Fulham hosted Burnley in snowy west London. In truth, this one was never really a contest as two much-changed lineups looked to get an FA Cup fixture over and done with as they focus on top-flight survival.

The Clarets' number 19 Jay Rodriguez ended a 19-game goal drought just after the half-hour mark, before adding another from the spot in the second period. A late Kevin Long header made it 3-0 to the visitors.

The day's showpiece saw title rivals Man Utd and Liverpool go head to head at Old Trafford in a wonderfully topsy turvy tie.

It was a full-blooded tie | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The two sides traded blows all game long, with fine strikes from Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford for the hosts and a clinical brace from Mo Salah for the Reds meaning it was level at 2-2 in the late stages.

Cue Bruno Fernandes, who came off the bench to power home a side-footed free kick with 12 minutes remaining. 3-2. What a statement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.

A cup classic, it was just a crying shame no supporters were in the ground to watch it.

In the day's late kick off Everton welcomed Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, and it went pretty much as you might expect.

Goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Yerry Mina gave the Toffees a comfortable 3-0 win, with the Owls now able to focus solely on survival in the second tier.


Results

Chelsea 3-1 Luton Town
Brentford 1-3 Leicester City
Fulham 0-3 Burnley
Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Everton 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday


Source: 90min