Minnows go close to major FA Cup boilover

| February 6, 2022

Jarrod Bowen has saved West Ham from humiliation as they avoided a major FA Cup upset at Kidderminster while Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham were among other sides to progress.

Bowen struck with virtually the last kick of extra-time as the Hammers sealed a barely deserved 2-1 win over their sixth-tier hosts.

West Ham needed Declan Rice’s injury-time leveller to force the extra 30 minutes just as it looked like National League North side Harriers — who sit 113 places below their Premier League opponents — would pull off an almighty fourth-round shock.

Alex Penny had given Kidderminster a shock first-half lead.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s penalty heroics helped Chelsea avoid a shootout as the Blues edged past Plymouth 2-1 after extra-time at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain goalkeeper guessed correctly and then smothered Ryan Hardie’s last-gasp spot-kick after the Plymouth striker had been felled by Malang Sarr.

Marcos Alonso thought he had settled the tie with a neat finish in extra-time, only for the League One side to battle back and force one more opening.

Kepa kept his cool to conjure a fine save, however, on a day where Chelsea markedly missed Thomas Tuchel after the Blues manager tested positive for COVID-19.

Former Brisbane Roar defender Macaulay Gillesphey had headed Plymouth into an early lead, converting ex-Chelsea youth midfielder Jordan Houghton’s whipped free-kick, but Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta equalised via a fine backheel finish just before halftime for his first goal in a year.

Southampton needed a Stuart Armstrong wonder-strike and an extra-time goal from Kyle Walker-Peters to edge out Coventry 2-1 at St Mary’s.

The Championship side led through a fine first-half goal from Viktor Gyokeres, against a Saints side which featured 17-year-old debutant Thierry Small at left-back and Shane Long and Theo Walcott — with a combined age of 67 — in attack.

But after the break Armstrong produced a magnificent long-range effort to take the match into extra-time and fellow half-time substitute Walker-Peters then fired them into the fifth round.

There were no such scares for Manchester City as the Premier League leaders came from behind to sweep Championship pace-setters Fulham aside 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

City were stunned as Fabio Carvalho opened the scoring after just four minutes but soon levelled through Ilkay Gundogan.

John Stones then headed the hosts ahead as the frantic start continued and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt with two efforts — the first from the penalty spot — early in the second half.

Harry Kane scored twice for Tottenham in a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion while Frank Lampard got the full Everton experience in his first match as new manager with a 4-1 victory over Brentford.

Norwich won 1-0 at Wolves to reach the fifth round for just the second time in a decade while others to advance were Crystal Palace and Championship sides Peterborough, Luton, Stoke and Huddersfield.