LONDON: Arsenal, West Ham United and Aston Villa redressed the balance for Premier League teams after a flow of upsets in the FA Cup, securing narrow wins over awkward lower-league opposition to advance to the fifth round on Sunday.

English football was still reeling from a sensational Saturday that saw Premier League leaders Chelsea beaten 4-2 by third-tier Bradford City at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City lost 2-0 at home to Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough.

The underdogs couldn’t continue the shocks a day later, with holders Arsenal were made sweat by Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion before eventually prevailing 3-2 after being set on their way by early goals from Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil.

Senegal striker Diafra Sakho came off the bench and scored an 81st-minute header to earn West Ham a 1-0 victory at Bristol City, who are second in English football’s third tier.

Villa had the toughest assignment against second-tier leaders Bournemouth but came through with a 2-1 home win, with new signing Carles Gil — with his first goal since moving from Valencia — and Andreas Weimann scoring for the Premier League side.

Arsenal, who are fifth in the Premier League, are the highest-ranked team guaranteed a spot in the last 16 as Arsene Wenger’s side look to defend their title.

Walcott put Arsenal ahead in the second minute before Ozil, making his first start since October because of injury, was found by a probing pass from Tomas Rosicky and placed a finish into the corner.

Brighton pulled a goal back through Chris O’Grady but Rosicky restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage with an exquisite volley from the edge of the box.

Sam Baldock reduced the deficit with a neat finish on 75 minutes to set up a nervy finish at the Amex Stadium but the holders stood firm.

West Ham toiled in the first half at Ashton Gate, clearing two headed attempts off the line, but improved after the break.

Sakho, who entered as a 57th-minute substitute, struck the bar with a fierce shot before meeting Andy Carroll’s cross with a far-post header from close range.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game and it was exactly that,” Hammers manager Sam Allardyce told the BBC. “Bearing in mind what has happened this weekend, it is a big result for us.”

Spanish winger Gil put Villa ahead in the 53rd minute at Villa Park with a stunning first goal in English football. He received the ball out wide on the right, cut inside the full-back and lofted the curling effort into the top corner from at least 25 yards out.

Villa have been struggling for goals this season but Weimann scored the Birmingham club’s second 19 minutes from time.

Leandro Bacuna found Alan Hutton on the right, and his clipped ball was turned in, left-footed, by Weimann.

Callum Wilson pulled a goal back for the Cherries in the 90th minute and the south coast club nearly had an equaliser in stoppage-time when Ashley Westwood’s low shot was well-saved by Lee Camp.

“We needed to try to get through,” said Villa manager Paul Lambert. “After seeing yesterday’s [Saturday’s] results, we had nothing to gain.”

Lambert added: “Carles Gil is lighting the place up and it was a world-class goal.”

With Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton — defeated 3-2 by top-flight rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday — all beaten, none of the Premier League’s top three remained in the FA Cup.

Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur also failed to make it into Monday’s fifth-round draw.

Manchester United, fourth in the Premier League, face a replay against fourth division Cambridge after a goalless draw on Friday.

The same scoreline also saw Liverpool held by Championship club Bolton at Anfield on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2015

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