Cup misery for Sunderland

Decisive header
A headed 61st-minute goal from Andy Johnson proved decisive at the Stadium Of Light, although the sixth-placed Premiership side had taken an early lead through Kevin Phillips before West Brom’s Neil Clement put the first division side level from the penalty spot.

'Good plan'

Early lead
In the day's other early game, Arsenal FC eased to a 4-2 victory away at Watford FC. Thierry Henry and Fredrik Ljungberg put Arsenal 2-0 ahead inside the first ten minutes before Gifton Noel-Williams gave the home side hope with a spectacular header. Patrick Vieira restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead in the second half and Dennis Bergkamp added a fourth goal before Marcus Gayle grabbed a late consolation goal for Gianluca Vialli’s first division side.

Cold snap
With many of the day’s major third-round ties falling victim to the freezing temperatures, many of England’s top sides were not in action, but two Premiership clubs were made to struggle against unfancied opposition. Ipswich Town FC recovered from conceding an early goal to win 4-1 away at non-league Dagenham & Redbridge FC, while Charlton Athletic FC were also a goal down at home to Blackpool FC before recovering to secure a 2-1 win.

First goal for Anelka
Premiership strugglers Leicester City FC ground out a 2-1 win against second division Mansfield Town FC while Everton FC ended a run of five straight defeats with a 1-0 win away at Stoke City FC. Chelsea FC live to fight again after drawing 0-0 at first division Norwich City FC, but there were no problems for Liverpool FC who won 3-0 at home to Birmingham City FC thanks to two goals from Michael Owen an a late strike from Nicolas Anelka – his first since moving from Paris Saint-Germain FC on loan.

Shearer inspires Newcastle
Blackburn Rovers FC held on for a 1-1 draw with first division Barnsley FC, while the final Premiership team in action on Saturday, Newcastle United FC, were comfortable 2-0 winners at home to Crystal Palace FC, captain Alan Shearer and Clarence Acuña scoring the goals. In Sunday’s ties, Manchester United FC will visit Aston Villa FC, while West Ham United FC face a tough game away to third division Macclesfield Town FC.