The FA Cup returned today as the fourth round got underway. The televised lunchtime kick-off was at Goodison Park as we witnessed a re-run of the 2009 final between Everton and Chelsea. Louis Saha gave Everton the lead, just like in the final, after 62 minutes but Chelsea equalised through Solomon Kalou thirteen minutes later to set up a replay at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa hosted Blackburn in their tie that kicked-off at one o'clock. It took eleven minutes to get going when Ciaran Clark put Villa ahead but Blackburn equalised just seven minutes later through Kalinic. Robert Pires scored his first Villa goal to put them back into the lead after 35 minutes and Nathan Delfouneso all but made sure of the victory with three minutes of the first half remaining. The second half saw Nathan Baker receive a red card two minutes after the hour on only his second appearance at the club.
Sheffield Wednesday converted two penalties in a comfortable win over Hereford. Hereford did actually take the lead after nine minutes when Stuart Fleetwood scored but Darren Potter equalised for the Owls just six minutes later. Hereford were reduced to ten men when Joe Heath conceded the first penalty after 68 minutes, it was converted by Clinton Morrison. Wednesday went 3-1 ahead when Jermaine Johnson scored after 77 minutes and Morrison made it four with a second penalty just two minutes later.
The big shock came at Torquay as they were defeated by non-league Crawley Town. the missed two penalties but only needed a goal from Matt Tubbs eleven minutes before half-time to seal the game. Torquay had Chris Zebroski sent off just after the hour when he received a second yellow but the man count was levelled up seven minutes from time when Dean Howell also received a second yellow.
Reading were three minutes away from a replay before beating Stevenage. Mikele Leigertwood put the Royals ahead after 23 minutes but Stevenage equalised with eighteen minutes remaining through Darius Charles. Shane Long prevented the replay to put Reading through to the fifth round.
Just the one goal after sixteen minutes from Ashley Barnes was enough for Brighton to overcome Watford at Vicarage Road. But another shock came at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea lost to Leyton Orient late on. Jimmy Smith put Orient ahead after 35 minutes but Cedric Van Der Gun equalised just before half-time. The winner was scored two minutes from time when Alan Tate sliced a clearance past keeper Ma-Kalambay to give Orient the 2-1 win.
The only goalless tie of the round was at the Reebok where Bolton drew with Wigan, meaning a replay at the DW Stadium. But Burnley earned a comfortable win at home to Burton Albion. Chris Eagles put Burnley ahead just before the half hour mark and then added a second after seventy minutes. Calvin Zola pulled one back ten minutes later before substitute Martin Paterson finished it off in injury time.
Birmingham came from two down to see of Coventry at St.Andrew's. Marlon King put Coventry ahead after just eleven minutes before Richard Wood doubled the lead after 26 minutes. Bentley pulled one back for Birmingham ten minutes before half-time and Stuart Parnaby scored his first goal in five year to equalise after 67. The winner came from Kevin Phillips with seventeen minutes to play to edge Birmingham into the fifth round.
Manchester United have made it hard for themselves all season and today was no different. The teatime kick-off was St.Mary's as Southampton entertained the Red Devils. It was Southampton who went ahead just before half-time when Ricahrd Chaplow fired one past debutant keeper Anders Lindegaard. But as we've already seen this season, United can comeback and Michael Owen provided the equaliser after 65 minutes. With United having the momentum and also having Giggs and Nani off the bench, they went onto win ten minutes later through Javier Hernandez.
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