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regular-article-logo Monday, 23 December 2024

Big guns cruise, Leeds United stumble

A brilliant solo strike from Nick Tsaroulla in the 50th minute put League Two Crawley in front after a first half in which Leeds had caused them few problems

Reuters London Published 11.01.21, 02:58 AM
Bernardo Silva of Manchester City scores past Andres Prieto of Birmingham City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City scores past Andres Prieto of Birmingham City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Getty Images

Premier League’s Leeds United suffered the biggest upset of the FA Cup third round when they fell to a 0-3 defeat to fourth-tier Crawley Town on Sunday as Manchester City and Chelsea eased through.

A brilliant solo strike from Nick Tsaroulla in the 50th minute put League Two Crawley in front after a first half in which Leeds had caused them few problems. Three minutes later the West Sussex club were 2-0 up after an error from Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla who let an Ashley Nadesan shot squeeze in at the near post.

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The impressive Nadesan had a hand in Crawley’s third when his low shot was parried out by Casilla, only for Jordan Tunnicliffe to pounce and drill the ball home.

Crawley’s best run in the FA Cup came in 2012, when they reached the fifth round — the only other time they have made it past the third round.

Bernardo Silva scored two goals and Phil Foden another as Manchester City strolled to a 3-0 win over Championship (second-tier) Birmingham City. Portuguese midfielder Silva scored his first goal at the Etihad Stadium in over a year when he fired the ball into the top corner in the eighth minute after Birmingham defender George Friend failed to clear.

Silva doubled City’s lead seven minutes later, finishing off a brilliant team move with a simple tap-in and Foden made it 3-0 before the break with a low strike from outside the box.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were also up against League Two opposition but avoided any embarrassment with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Morecambe.

Mason Mount gave Chelsea an early lead at Stamford Bridge with a sweetly struck shot from outside the box and German striker Timo Werner scored his first goal in two months with a simple tap-in before the break.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz also got their names on the scoresheet as Chelsea got their first win in four games in all competitions.

Championship club Barnsley beat League Two Tranmere Rovers 2-0 while Bristol City, also of the Championship, needed an 83rd-minute goal from Chris Martin to beat League One (third tier) Portsmouth 2-1.

United prevail

An early headed goal by Scott McTominay capped an excellent individual performance that put Manchester United through to the fourth round as they beat Watford 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Captaining his side for the first time, McTominay connected with an Alex Telles corner and though his downward header lacked power, it found the mark.

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