Man City 4 vs Chelsea 0
MANCHESTER City cruised into the FA Cup fourth round with a routine victory over a desperately poor Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.
This was a far cry from what has traditionally been a hugely competitive meeting between two Premier League giants as City wrapped up a tie with either Oxford United or Arsenal in the next round by the interval.
City’s win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday was hard-fought but this was a stroll, Riyad Mahrez setting them on their way with a brilliant 23rd-minute free-kick before World Cup winner Julian Alvarez scored a second from the spot seven minutes later following Kai Havertz’s handball.
Phil Foden scored City’s third after 38 minutes, turning in Kyle Walker’s cross after he had been played in by Thursday’s match-winner Mahrez, who got his second from the spot late on after Kalidou Koulibaly clumsily bundled Foden to the floor.
It was a chastening day for Chelsea, boss Graham Potter and their travelling support, who chanted the name of Thomas Tuchel, the Champions League-winning manager sacked by new owner Todd Boehly in September.
Aston Villa 1 vs Stevenage 2
The visiting players and manager Steve Evans celebrated with their supporters at full-time after two goals in the final two minutes clinched a magnificent victory.
Substitute Dean Campbell fired in a superb 90th-minute winner after Jamie Reid’s equaliser from the penalty spot – the spot-kick awarded after last man Leander Dendoncker was shown a straight red card for bringing down Campbell.
Morgan Sanson’s first goal for Villa had given Unai Emery’s side a half-time lead.
But the hosts, despite their overall superiority, were unable to extend their advantage and they were made to pay in a remarkable conclusion to the match.
Stevenage’s reward is a trip to Championship outfit Stoke City in the fourth round, which takes place from 27 to 30 January.
Cardiff 2 vs Leeds 2
Leeds United dramatically escaped another shock FA Cup third-round defeat at Cardiff City as Sonny Perkins came on to score an added-time equaliser.
Cardiff, 20th in the Championship and the league’s lowest scorers, struck twice in seven first-half minutes with goals by Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo.
Booed off at half-time, Leeds replied well as substitute Rodrigo headed in.
Cardiff’s Joel Bagan was sent off for handball but Rodrigo saw his resultant penalty saved by Jak Alnwick.
Then, just as the home side looked like holding on for another famous victory over Leeds – 21 years after doing so at the same stage over the then-Premier League leaders – Perkins scored from close range to break Cardiff’s late resistance.
Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley await Cardiff or Leeds in the fourth round after a cruel end to the game for the Bluebirds, who looked set for a first victory in eight games, which would have offered respite from their league struggles.
As for Leeds, Perkins’ late leveller is a lifeline for manager Jesse Marsch, whose side have now gone six matches without a win in all competitions. A defeat here would have severely increased the pressure on the American.
This fixture invoked memories of then third-tier Cardiff’s 2002 FA Cup triumph over an expensively-assembled Leeds side who were top of the Premier League at the time.