Reyes rescues Arsenal

Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC booked their places in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup after struggling to overcome lower league opposition on Sunday.

Weakened team
Premiership high-flyers Arsenal came from behind against a Stoke City FC side currently languishing in mid-table in the Championship – English football’s second tier. Arsène Wenger rested a number of key players, including Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Ashley Cole and Manuel Almunia and gave rare starting places to Jermaine Pennant and Philippe Senderos. Another defender, left-back Emmanuel Eboué, made his debut, just two days after completing his move from KSK Beveren.

Van Persie winner
The decision looked to have backfired when Wayne Thomas put the visitors ahead in added time at the end of the first half, blasting the ball in from close range after Ade Akinbiyi's header had been parried. But José Antonio Reyes regained parity with a well struck half-volley five minutes after the restart and although Akinbiyi and Chris Greenacre both came close for Stoke, Robin van Persie gave Arsenal victory when he converted Pennant's cross with 20 minutes remaining.

Newcastle tested
Newcastle were also labouring at half-time in their match against non-league side Yeading FC. The side currently plying their trade in the seventh tier of English football edged the first 20 minutes and severely tested Jean-Alain Boumsong, who was making his first start at the heart of the Newcastle defence following his €11.3m move from Rangers FC.

Ameobi strike
Boumsoung and his new team-mates soon found their feet, however, and it was little surprise when they took the lead six minutes after the interval through Lee Bowyer, who tapped in Craig Bellamy's low cross. Ten minutes later Shola Ameobi, playing in place of the injured Alan Shearer, scored a powerful header to seal a 2-0 win and ensure his side became the eleventh Premiership team to earn a berth in the last 32.