Two more Premier League sides booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, courtesy of third-round replays, on Wednesday, bringing the PL’s total representation to 14 clubs…
[ MORE: Tuesday’s 3rd-round replay roundup ]
Chelsea 1-1 (5-3 PKs) Norwich City
Chelsea’s scoreless streak — for both themselves and opponents (three straight 0-0 draws across all competitions) — came to a merciful end on Wednesday, but not before surpassing the 300-minute mark. Michy Batshuayi — who, it must be said, struggled mightily in making just his third start (all in cup competitions) since mid-October — broke yet another scoreless deadlock in the 55th minute, ending the Blues’ scoreless run at 331 minutes.
BATSHUAYI ENDS THE DROUGHT! 🙌🏼
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 17, 2018
The Belgian opens the scoring and ends Chelsea's 331-minute scoring drought across all competitions. https://t.co/e35tWarOe2
With barely 30 seconds remaining in second-half stoppage time, 19-year-old left back Jamal Lewis brought the Canaries level with a thunderous header off the post.
👀 19-year-old Jamal Lewis scores the stoppage-time equalizer at Stamford Bridge to send the game into extra time! https://t.co/CfKLk4ko3f
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 17, 2018
Extra-time saw Chelsea reduced to 10, and then nine, men. Pedro was booked for diving just after the hour mark, and the Spaniard earned a second yellow card for a wild challenge in the 117th minute. Four minutes later, in second-half extra-time stoppage time, Alvaro Morata was booked for diving and proceeded to shout and gesticulate in the referee’s face. A second yellow was shown immediately.
Willy Caballero denied Nelson Oliveira on Norwich’s first attempt of the ensuing penalty shootout, giving the Blues the only cushion they’d need as Willian, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard all converted.
Chelsea will host Newcastle United in the fourth round on Sunday, Jan. 28.
[ MORE: Wednesday’s transfer rumor roundup | Tuesday | Friday ]
Swansea City 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Swansea faced the greatest threat of a Cupset on Wednesday but managed to come out on top, knocking off runaway Championship leaders and champions-elect Wolves. The Swans went ahead through Jordan Ayew in the 11th minute before the prolific Diogo Jota, who’ll be in the PL one way or another next season, brought Wolves back to 1-1 in the 66th. Three minutes later, Wilfried Bony bagged the winner to see Carlos Carvalhal’s side through to the next round.
Swansea will visit League Two side Notts County, who knocked off Championship playoff hopefuls Brentford in the third round, on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Wigan Athletic 3-0 Bournemouth
Bournemouth sat 32 places above Wigan in the English football pyramid when Wednesday’s replay kicked off, and it matter not a single iota, as Paul Cook’s side hammered the Cherries at the DW Stadium. Sam Morsy, Dan Burn and Callum Elder bagged the goals for the League One leaders (three points clear after 26 of 46 rounds played). Wigan have alternated each of the last four seasons, finishing 23rd in the Championship and leading/winning League One. It’s been five years since the Latics were relegated from the PL, in the 2012-13 season.
Wigan will host West Ham United in the fourth round on Saturday, Jan. 27.
