Leeds Utd pull off huge upset
Holders Chelsea cruise as Arsenal leave it late at Upton Park
Third-tier Leeds United produced the shock of the third round by knocking record 11-times winners Manchester United out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford yesterday.
Leeds, the League One leaders who are 43 places below English champions Manchester United, won thanks to Jermaine Beckford's 19th minute goal.
Arsenal, who lifted the FA Cup 10 times, were themselves 12 minutes away from a third round exit against Premier League and London rivals West Ham after Alessandro Diamanti had put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time.
But two goals in five minutes from teenage midfielder Aaron Ramsey and striker Eduardo stunned the Upton Park faithful as Arsenal won 2-1.
FA Cup holders Chelsea, who lead the Premier League by two points from Manchester United, cruised into the fourth round draw with a 5-0 thrashing of Championship club Watford at Stamford Bridge.
Defeat was the first time Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson had conceded in the third round since he arrived at Old Trafford 24 years ago. Not since 1984, when beaten by third tier Bournemouth, had Manchester United lost at this stage.
Victory was also fallen giants Leeds's first win at Old Trafford since 1981.
Their goal came after Jonny Howson's superb 50-yard pass over the head of Wes Brown found striker Beckford and he outpaced the defender before sliding the ball left-footed into the far corner and beyond goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
"The preparation for the game was very good, but I'm shocked by the performance," said Ferguson.
"We didn't start right and Leeds did start right. They fought like tigers, and we expect that with any team coming to Old Trafford for an FA Cup tie. It's a disappointment."
This loss was not what United wanted ahead of Wednesday's League Cup semi-final, first leg, tie against local rivals Manchester City and Ferguson said: "We have to get this result out of our system as quickly as possible."
Leeds manager Simon Grayson hailed his "outstanding" side after they produced one of the great FA Cup shocks.
"Full credit to the players who were outstanding today but it's what they've been like all season," he said.
Chelsea were 3-0 in front by the 22nd minute thanks to Daniel Sturridge, a John Eustace own-goal and Florent Malouda's deflected shot.
England midfielder Frank Lampard made it 4-0 in the 64th minute with a 25-yard strike and four minutes later 20-year-old striker Sturridge had his second and Chelsea's fifth goal.
Fourth round draw
Southampton vs Ipswich; Reading/Liverpool vs Burnley; Millwall/Derby County vs Brentford/Doncaster Rovers; Bristol City/Cardiff vs Leicester; Stoke vs Arsenal; Notts County/Forest Green vs Wigan; Scunthorpe vs Man. City; WBA vs Plymouth/Newcastle;
Everton vs N. Forest/Birmingham; A. Stanley/Gillingham vs Fulham; Bolton vs Sheffield United/QPR; Portsmouth/Coventry vs Sunderland; Preston vs Chelsea; Aston Villa vs Brighton; Wolves vs Crystal Palace; Tottenham vs Leeds.
Ties to be played January 23.
Next fixtures
Tomorrow: Premier League 20.45 Stoke vs Fulham. League Cup semi-final, first leg 21.00 Blackburn Rovers vs Aston Villa.
Wednesday: Premier League 20.45 Arsenal vs Bolton. League Cup semi-final, first leg 20.45 Manchester City vs Manchester United.
Saturday: Premier League 13.45 Hull vs Chelsea. 16.00 Arsenal vs Everton; Burnley vs Stoke; Fulham vs Portsmouth; Sunderland vs Bolton; Wigan vs Aston Villa. 18.30 Birmingham vs Man. United.
Sunday: Premier League 14.30 West Ham vs Wolves; 17.00 Liverpool vs Tottenham.
Monday, Jan. 11: Premier League 21.00 Man. City vs Blackburn Rovers.