NON-LEAGUE Chorley kept their heroic FA Cup dream alive by beating Wayne Rooney’s Covid-hit Derby 2-0.
The Rams were forced to field the kids as – similarly to Midlands rivals Aston Villa – the whole first-team set-up are in self-isolation with Manchester United legend Rooney watching on from home.
Connor Hall continued his goalscoring FA Cup exploits for ChorleyCredit: Reuters
Mike Calveley stabbed home to secure Chorley’s spot in the fourth roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Chorley celebrate their second goal against DerbyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Eight groundsmen camped out overnight at Chorley to defy bitterly cold conditions and get the game on following a pitch inspection.
And they were rewarded when top scorer Connor Hall bundled in after ten minutes to become the first player to net in the first three rounds of the FA Cup in three years.
Rooney’s side struggled in his absence, failing to muster a single effort on goal in the first 45.
They came back into it after the break but struggled to create enough chances.
And Chorley finally put the result beyond doubt when Mike Calveley stabbed in the all-important second goal after 84 minutes.
National League North mid-table Chorley celebrated progressing in the last round by belting out Adele’s Someone Like You so perhaps the third-round victory over Rooney’s Derby calls for a special rendition of Set Fire to the Wayne.
Everton 2-1 Rotherham United AET
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton needed an injury-time winner from Abdoulaye Doucoure to scrape past a spirited Rotherham United at Goodison Park.
The Toffees thought they had won the game in normal time when Cenk Tosun reacted fastest to poke home from James Rodriguez’s free-kick with five minutes to play.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Cenk Tosun dinks over Chelsea loanee Jamal Blackman in the Rotherham goalCredit: Reuters
Matthew Olosunde slides the ball past Robin OlsenCredit: PA:Press Association
Abdoulaye Doucoure stroked home the winner for Ancelotti’s sideCredit: PA:Press Association
But VAR graph lines proved that Tosun was millimetres offside and the goal was scrubbed off – some beginners luck for VAR newbies Rotherham, playing their first game with the controversial technology.
Tosun had ended a 14-month goal drought inside ten minutes at Goodison Park by dinking the ball past Chelsea loanee Jamal Blackman after Anthony Gordon’s lovely turn and pass split the Rotherham defence open.
But Carlo Ancelotti’s side did not use the early lead to their advantage and let Rotherham back into the tie.
The Millers put a complacent Everton under huge pressure and finally were rewarded when Matthew Olosunde rolled the ball into the corner of the net 11 minutes into the second-half.
But they could not make the most of their VAR reprieve and Rodriguez eventually did turn provider for former Watford midfielder Doucoure who smoothly stroked the ball home three minutes into extra time to put Everton in the fourth round.
Norwich 2-0 Coventry City
Norwich scored TWO goals in the first seven minutes of a barnstorming opening to their victory against Coventry.
Kenny McLean and Jordan Hugill scored within one minute of each other on six and seven minutes to give the Canaries a flying start at Carrow Road.
Daniel Farke’s 20-year-old shot-stopper Daniel Barden kept Norwich in front in the second-half denying Maxime Biamou on multiple occasions.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Cardiff
Nottingham Forest striker Lyle Taylor smashed home a rocket after just three minutesCredit: Alamy Live News
Lyle Taylor’s thumping volley gave Nottingham Forest the lead against Cardiff.
A side-footed slammer after just three minutes from Gaetan Bong’s cross into the box, caught Neil Harris’ Bluebirds off guard.
And they never recovered with Michael Dawson’s side taking a spot in the fourth-round draw.
Luton 1-0 Reading
Luton had the better of the all Championship clash at Kenilworth Road.
George Moncur’s effort after 30 minutes gave Nathan Jones’ side a deserved win against familiar foes in the shape of the Royals – it was the third meeting between the sides already this season.
Boreham Wood 0-2 Millwall
Kenneth Zohore’s 31st minute effort gave Millwall a half-time lead away at National League Boreham Wood.
Boreham Wood were playing in the first third-round FA Cup tie of their history.
But Shaun Hutchinson dashed their dreams of progression by heading in for the Lions after 74 minutes.
Scott Malone was a creative bright spark for the men from The Den, assisting both goals in the 2-0 win.
National League Chorley belt out Adele’s someone like you in the changing room
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
