Leeds moved unconvincingly into the fourth round of the FA Cup as Mark Viduka's 14th goal of the season was all that separated David O'Leary's side from another embarrassing result. O'Leary had demanded a commanding performance from his side, but also a hatful of goals against the First Division Tykes to raise confidence and spirits in the depressed Elland Road camp.
But after storming into an expected ninth minute lead, the avalanche O'Leary wanted failed to materialise as a string of first-half chances were squandered. It preceded a shaky second half in which Leeds fans were left roaring their disapproval and managerless Barnsley ruing their own opportunities to force a replay. Club captain Gary Kelly was dropped and couldn’t even manage a place on the bench alongside nephew Ian Harte, as O’Leary rang the changes. Erik Bakke replaced the suspended Lee Bowyer in midfield, but Irish striker Robbie Keane keep his place as Viduka’s partner up front.
Irish international Gary Doherty scored his second goal this week, popping up in the dying moments to send Tottenham into the next round with a late goal at Leyton Orient to earn Spurs a hard fought 1-0 victory, their first on their travels this season. Spurs go into the hat but the home side can hold their heads high after flying the Third Division flag so bravely for 90 minutes.
Elsewehere, Sylvain Wiltord scored the only goal as Arsenal struggled against Third Division Carlisle, who have goalkeeper Matty Glennon to thank for the surprisingly narrow winning margin. However, Arsenal were never in danger of losing to the team ninety places below them in the league as their overall class restricted the minnows to few chances.
Liverpool had Croatian youngster Igor Biscan sent off before they managed to break the hearts of brave Rotherham. In a fiery match, Liverpool were confronted by a magnificent defensive display by the Yorkshiremen before Emile Heskey twice, and Dietmar Hamann scored the goals to clinch their place in the Cup's fourth round.
Crystal Palace keeper Alex Kolinko turned in a superb display to keep Sunderland at bay and earn the First Division side a replay. The Latvian made a series of top-class saves to secure a creditable draw after midfielder Hayden Mullins was sent off, although the Wearsiders were also reduced to ten men late on when defender Stanislav Varga was red-carded.
Former Irish youth striker Liam George scored Luton’s second as they looked set for a 3-2 victory over QPR, but Gavin Peacock’s injury time penalty earned QPR a replay at Loftus Road.
Full Results:
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Chester City
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Yeovil Town
Bournemouth 2-3 Gillingham
Burnley 2-2 Scunthorpe
Cardiff City 1-1 Crewe
Carlisle United 0-1 Arsenal
Charlton Athletic 1-1 Dagenham and Redbridge
Chelsea 5-0 Peterborough United
Derby County 3-2 WBA
Huddersfield 0-2 Bristol City
Leeds United 1-0 Barnsley
Leicester City 3-0 York City
Leyton Orient 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool 3-0 Rotherham United
Luton Town 3-3 QPR
Manchester City 3-2 Birmingham City
Morecambe 0-3 Ipswich Town
Preston NE 0-1 Stockport County
Portsmouth 1-2 Tranmere
Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Norwich City
Southampton 1-0 Sheffield United
Southend 0-1 Kingstonian
Sunderland 0-0 Crystal Palace
Swindon Town 0-2 Coventry City
Walsall 2-3 West Ham
Watford 1-2 Everton
Wimbledon 2-2 Notts County
Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Grimsby Town
Filed by Shane Murray
