Liverpool knocked out Arsenal (2-0) during a hotly contested and long-undecided summit of the FA Cup on Sunday, joining defending champion Manchester City in the 4th round, 5-0 away against Huddersfield (D2) with the return of its Belgian creator Kevin De Bruyne. The Reds and the Gunners gave the Emirates a run for their money, and it was the championship leaders who won the battle at the end of the game thanks to an own goal from Jakub Kiwior (81st) and a missile in full top corner from Luis Diaz in added time (90th 5).
The thousands of Liverpool supporters greeted the opening score with an explosion of joy, a handful of them entering the pitch while a red smoke bomb was lit in the corner where they had taken their place. Arsenal can bite their fingers after a multitude of wasted chances, especially in the first half. The north London team suffered a fourth successive disappointment (a draw then three defeats).
The start of the year, on the other hand, is good for Manchester City, quiet winner of Huddersfield Town, a Championship team fighting for survival, with the support of captain De Bruyne, who returned to the competition five months after his thigh injury. The Belgian attacking midfielder entered in the 57th minute to a standing ovation from the Etihad, a first since his relapse on August 6 during the Community Shield lost against Arsenal at the start of the season. And he celebrated this with a first assist for Jérémy Doku (74th, 5-0), who entered at the same time as him after a month spent in the infirmary.
“Kevin helps win matches and there are few (like him) in the world,” Guardiola said. “That’s why it’s so important to find him. Kevin is exceptional, unique,” added the coach.
West Ham and Nottingham Forest, against lower-ranked opponents, had a sad Sunday. The “Hammers”, sixth in the Premier League, conceded a sad 1-1 draw against Bristol City (D2), which forced them into a cumbersome “replay” (Cup matches are replayed in the event of a draw).
The Londoners, joined on the hour mark, were unable to preserve the advantage quickly acquired by Jarrod Bowen (4th, 1-0). They also lost Lucas Paqueta, the decisive passer, to injury, replaced after less than a quarter of an hour. The situation is even more embarrassing for Nottingham Forest, hung 2-2 by Blackpool, eighth in League One (D3).
The “Seasiders”, winners of the “Cup” in 1953 with Stanley Matthews, led 2-0 on the Forest pitch after less than half an hour, before suffering a comeback from the locals. Luton experienced a similar misfortune against Bolton Wanderers (0-0), currently second in D3. The 3rd round ends on Monday with the trip to Wigan (D3) of Manchester United, finalist of the previous edition.
Manchester City (D1) – Huddersfield Town (D2) 5 – 0West Ham (D1) – Bristol City (D2) 1 – 1Luton (D1) – Bolton Wanderers (D3) 0 – 0Shrewsbury Town (D3) – Wrexham AFC (D4) 0 – 1West Bromwich Albion (D2) – Aldershot Town (D5) 4 – 1Peterborough United (D3) – Leeds United (D2) 0 – 3Nottingham Forest (D1) – Blackpool (D3) 2 – 2Arsenal (D1) – Liverpool (D1) 0 – 2
