Notts County stun Sunderland, Blackpool and WBA also ousted

LONDON: Sunderland were the biggest casualty as several Premier League clubs tumbled out of the FA Cup third round on yesterday at the hands of lower league giant-killers.

In a match that saw former Manchester United team-mates Steve Bruce and Paul Ince come up against each other at the Stadium of Light, Ince’s Notts County secured a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Craig Westcarr and Lee Hughes.

The Black Cats pulled a goal back with a Darren Bent penalty to ensure a nervous finale but their League One opponents held for a famous win.

Sunderland were joined on the casualty list by Blackpool and West Brom, who were beaten by Championship opponents Southampton and Reading respectively.

Lee Barnard and Guly Do Prado scored the goals for Southampton in a 2-0 win at St Mary’s against an under-strength Blackpool.

Reading meanwhile secured their 1-0 victory over the visiting Baggies thanks to a Shane Long goal.

In yesterday’s early game, Arsenal survived a scare against Leeds before snatching a last gasp 1-1 draw against the Championship side at the Emirates.

Cesc Fabregas scored a last-minute penalty to keep the Gunners in the competition after Robert Snodgrass had given the Leeds the lead, also from the penalty spot, early in the second half.

Elsewhere, the form book largely held sway although Bolton needed two goals in the last ten minutes from Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander to squeeze a 2-0 win over non-league York at the Reebok Stadium.

Wolves, meanwhile, were held to a 2-2 draw at Championship side Doncaster.

Nenad Milijas put Wolves ahead on 38 minutes before Doncaster hit back with two goals in two minutes from Billy Sharp and James Hayter to lead 2-1 at half-time.

But Stephen Hunt levelled for Wolves from the penalty spot in the second half to ensure the Premier League side’s survival.

Premier League Stoke were also held by Championship opposition, Tuncay Sanli giving them a 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Cardiff, who had taken the lead at the Britannia Stadium with a Michael Chopra goal on eight minutes.

There were no such problems for Mark Hughes’ Fulham, who ran riot at Craven Cottage to swat aside Peterborough 6-2.

Everton also had a comfortable victory away at Scunthorpe, cruising past their Championship opponents 5-1.

Aston Villa relieved the pressure on manager Gerard Houllier with a 3-1 away victory against Sheffield United.

Kyle Walker scored against his former club while Marc Albrighton and Stilian Petrov netted Villa’s other goals against a lone Jamie Ward penalty for the Blades.

West Ham manager Avram Grant also breathed a sigh of relief after his side bounced back from a 5-0 thrashing by Newcastle in midweek to record a 2-0 win over Barnsley.

Yesterday’s late game saw Stevenage entertain Newcastle at home.

The pick of the third round matches takes place today, when Manchester United face Liverpool, who will be hoping that caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish can inspire them to victory following the dismissal of Roy Hodgson.