Chelsea and West Ham avoid shock FA Cup exits, Manchester City also win

Chelsea did not leave it quite so late but also had to come from behind to beat third-tier Plymouth Argyle 2-1 after extra time at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham United and Chelsea both narrowly avoided ignominious FA Cup exits with narrow wins against lower-league opposition but Everton marked Frank Lampard’s first game in charge by sauntering past Brentford into the fifth round on Saturday (February 6). A day devoid of shocks also had Premier League leaders Manchester City crush second-tier Fulham 4-1 while relegation strugglers Norwich City enjoyed a morale-boosting 1-0 win at top-flight rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur overcame Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 in the day’s late game. After Middlesbrough’s incredible penalty shoot-out win at 12-time winners Manchester United on Friday, the stage was set for sixth-tier Kidderminster Harriers to supply some FA Cup magic as they hosted high-flying West Ham United.

And how close they came. Kidderminster led for 72 minutes thanks to Alex Penny’s side-footed goal in the 19th minute but with one of the great FA Cup shocks brewing, Declan Rice levelled in stoppage time. Then, as penalties loomed at the end of extra time, Jarrod Bowen broke Kidderminster`s hearts to earn West Ham a 2-1 win.