Cup kings United strike back

Dramatic day
On a dramatic day of FA Cup action that brought surprise defeats for Leeds United AFC and Derby County FC, Villa went 2-0 up early in the second half through an Ian Taylor shot on 52 minutes and Phil Neville's own goal two minutes later.

Scintillating response
However, United, cup winners a record ten times, responded in scintillating fashion with three goals in six minutes in the closing stages. Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored their first on 77 minutes before Van Nistelrooij struck on 80 and 82 minutes with two superb finishes past United old boy Peter Schmeichel.

Leeds exit cup
FA Premiership leaders Leeds exited the cup with a 2-1 defeat at second division Cardiff City AFC. Defender Scott Young struck Cardiff's winner from close range three minutes from time after Leeds failed to clear a corner at the far post.

Smith sent off
Leeds had gone 1-0 up after 12 minutes through Mark Viduka but Cardiff, lying tenth in the second division, equalised eight minutes later from a free-kick by Graham Kavanagh. Leeds striker Alan Smith was sent off just before half-time for elbowing an opponent.

Derby humbled
Another top-flight side knocked out in the third round on Sunday were struggling Derby County, beaten 3-1 at home by third division Bristol Rovers FC. Nathan Ellington struck a hat-trick for Rovers, netting on 14, 40 and 62 minutes, ensuring Fabrizio Ravanelli's 88th-minute strike for Derby provided no consolation for the Premiership's third-bottom club.

West Ham win
West Ham United FC booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday with a 3-0 victory at Macclesfield Town FC. Jermain Defoe put West Ham in front on the stroke of half-time and made it two on 76 minutes with a fine curling shot from 20 metres.

Moncur off
Although West Ham lost midfielder John Moncur to a red card following a second bookable offence on 80 minutes, Joe Cole added a third goal five minutes from time.