(Updates after Everton v Oldham, adds detail)
By Mitch Phillips
LONDON, Jan 5 - High-flying Everton were knocked
out of the FA Cup by third division Oldham Athletic on Saturday
when they lost 1-0 at home in the third round, becoming one of
four Premiership sides to go out to lower league opposition.
Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers were
the other upset victims, while Havant & Waterlooville carried
the minor league flag into Monday's fourth-round draw after they
snatched a late 1-1 draw at third division leaders Swansea City.
Everton are one of the form teams in the Premier League, are
going well in the League Cup and UEFA Cup and the only two
defeats in their last 17 games came at the hands of Manchester
United and Arsenal.
However, in a game delayed 30 minutes by a fire in a local
chip shop, Oldham added their name to that illustrious list
thanks to Gary McDonald's 25-metre strike at the end of the
first half, with Everton hitting the post in the last minute.
Coventry, 17th in the Championship (second division) and in
severe financial trouble, won 4-1 at Blackburn with two goals by
Michael Mifsud and one each from Elliott Ward and Dele Adebola.
Third division Huddersfield were also celebrating after a
2-1 home win over Birmingham, while Bolton, having rested most
of their leading players, lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield United.
An 87th-minute equaliser by Rocky Baptiste earned Havant &
Waterlooville, in the third round for the first time, their
replay against a Swansea side who had scored 20 goals in their
previous six games.
LATE WINNER
Southern League midland division Chasetown, one of the
lowest-ranked teams ever to reach the third round, led second
division Cardiff City for much of the first half before losing
3-1 while Conference side Cambridge United also led at
Wolverhampton Wanderers but lost 2-1 after an 88th-minute goal.
Holders Chelsea beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 with an own
goal by QPR goalkeeper Lee Camp, while Tottenham Hotspur drew
2-2 with Reading and West Ham United were goalless against
Manchester City in two all-Premier League ties.
Manchester United, Cup winners on a record 11 occasions,
were away to Aston Villa later on Saturday (1715 GMT), the
teams' fourth meeting in the third round in six years.
Arsenal and Liverpool are both in action on Sunday, away to
Burnley and Luton Town respectively.
Newcastle United also play on Sunday, away to Stoke City,
where defeat for the struggling Premier League club would pile
the pressure on manager Sam Allardyce.
(Editing by Rex Gowar)