January 6, 2003	Monday	Ziqa’ad 2, 1423

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LONDON, Jan 5: First division Wolverhampton Wanderers squandered a 2-0 lead but still came back for a thrilling 3-2 FA Cup victory over Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

Liverpool had earlier beaten a lacklustre Manchester City 1-0 and Fulham had trounced Birmingham City 3-1 to reach the fourth round in their all-premier league games.

But the second biggest shock of the round, after Everton’s defeat to third division Shrewsbury on Saturday, was at Molineux where Wolves, 10th in the 24 team first division, won a pulsating Cup tie.

Former England midfielder Paul Ince put them ahead after six minutes and Ireland midfielder Mark Kennedy made it 2-0 before two goals just before the break from Jermaine Jenas and Alan Shearer, from the penalty spot, made it all square.

But Wolves striker George Ndah got the winner, bundling the ball home four minutes after the re-start.

Liverpool’s England midfielder Danny Murphy converted a second-half penalty to secure a fully-deserved victory at Maine Road.

Fulham never looked in trouble in their tie at Loftus Road.

Argentine striker Facundo Sava put them ahead after 11 minutes, Danish midfielder Bjarne Goldbaek drilled home the second and French striker Louis Saha celebrated his return from a four-month injury break with the third just after the re-start.

Stern John scored Birmingham’s consolation goal in the final minute.—Reuters