Reuters
London, Jan 11: Premier League Swansea City fell victims to the first major giant-killing of the FA Cup third round here Sunday when they lost 2-3 away to League Two (fourth tier) side Oxford United.
Chelsea, fielding a near full-strength team, came through their home tie with League One side Scunthorpe by two goals to nil and Tottenham Hotspur needed a controversial late penalty by Harry Kane to draw 2-2 at home to Leicester City.
There were more than 50 league positions between the clubs at the Kassam Stadium, where Oxford came from behind to lead 3-1 after Ecuador international Jefferson Montero had put Swansea ahead.
Liam Sercombe equalised from a penalty just before half time and two goals in 10 minutes soon after the interval from Kemar Roofe put the home side in sight of victory. Bafetimbi Gomis pulled one back for the Welsh club, who had made 10 changes from their last Premier League game, but Oxford held on.
“I don’t think they underestimated us, we were just on our game,” said Roofe. “I think we were at our best and more opportunistic and that helped,” he added.
Chelsea however, were always on the money. Spanish international Diego Costa put them ahead in the 13th minute from a cross by Branislav Ivanovic but the visitors rallied well in the second half and were furious to be denied a penalty when Ramires appeared to trip Kevin van Veen. A few minutes later 19-year-old Londoner Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a half time replacement for Oscar, scored his first goal for the club from Cesar Azpilicueta’s low centre.
“It was not an easy game,” said Guus Hiddink, who is hoping to repeat his feat of 2009 by winning the FA Cup as Chelsea’s interim manager. The experienced Dutchman has been unbeaten in four games since taking charge again after Jose Mourinho was sacked.
Ranieri’s Leicester were denied a repeat of last season’s 2-1 FA Cup win at Tottenham in an exciting tie at White Hart Lane, after the teams, who meet in the Premier League on Wednesday, made 15 changes between them.
Spurs held the lead for only nine minutes after Christian Eriksen scored early on, Polish defender Marcin Wasilewski equalising with a header for Leicester. Japan’s Shinji Okazaki then scored only two minutes after coming on as a substitute at the interval to put the visitors ahead.
The home side threw on England internationals Harry Kane and Dele Alli and Kane’s penalty for handball by Nathan Dyer, his 50th goal for the club, earned the Spurs a replay.
