Liverpool shattered by Palace

First division Crystal Palace FC, playing with ten men for the last 20 minutes, knocked Premiership opponents Liverpool FC out of the English FA Cup with a superb 2-0 victory at Anfield in their fourth-round replay on Wednesday.

Gray brilliance
A brilliant goal by Julian Gray after 55 minutes and an own goal by Stéphane Henchoz eleven minutes from time won it for Palace, who had striker Dougie Freedman sent off in the 70th minute. Palace were on the defensive for most of the match and had third-choice goalkeeper Cédric Berthelin to thank for keeping Liverpool at bay. Palace's reward is a fifth-round home tie against Leeds United AFC.

Ties go into extra-time
The night's two other fourth-round replays both went into extra time. In the first of them, top-flight Southampton FC held their nerve to win 2-1 at Millwall FC. Matthew Oakley lashed a long-distance opener in the 21st minute to give Southampton the lead. However, 16 minutes later the hosts were level. Veteran Steve Claridge crossed for Republic of Ireland international Steven Reid, who scored at the second attempt after Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi had brilliantly parried his first effort.

Oakley double
The game was 1-1 after 90 minutes but Oakley's second goal of the night after 102 minutes settled the matter and sent the visitors through to a fifth-round engagement against Norwich City FC.

Drama in Sunderland
Meanwhile, a last-minute goal by Garry Flitcroft, his second of the match, earned Blackburn Rovers FC a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes at Sunderland AFC, who twice led through Kevin Phillips and Gavin McCann. Neither side could find the target in extra time, and Sunderland won a poor quality penalty shoot-out 3-0, with Blackburn failing from the spot with all three of their attempts. Sunderland will face Watford FC in the next round.