LONDON, 16 January 2004 — Chelsea thumped Watford 4-0 in their FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday to set up a classic fourth-round tie against minor league Scarborough, who upset third division Southend 1-0.
In the night’s other replay, an all-Premier League clash, two late goals gave Manchester City a desperately needed 3-1 success at Leicester City to end their 14-game winless run.
Chelsea advanced with two goals from Adrian Mutu, one from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and another from Eidur Gudjohnsen as they atoned for a lackluster performance at Vicarage Road 11 days ago.
There they had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with a side beset by financial problems and now sixth-from last in the first division. Manchester City, like Chelsea, also twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in the initial meeting and they too took early control of the replay — albeit away from home.
Late Milan Goal Sinks Roma in Italian Cup
In Rome, an injury-time goal by midfielder Massimo Ambrosini gave AC Milan a 2-1 win over AS Roma in an Italian Cup quarterfinal first leg match on Wednesday.
It was the second time in eight days that the Cup holders had got the better of the Serie A leaders after their 2-1 league win at Rome’s Olympic stadium last week.
Milan dominated the first half and home striker Marco Borriello and Ambrosini had both gone close before Danish teammate Jon Dahl Tomasson broke Roma’s offside trap and slotted the ball past stranded keeper Andrea Zotti in the 39th minute.
Without injured captain Francesco Totti and suspended striker Antonio Cassano, the visitors lacked their usual sharpness up front, but the introduction of Brazilian winger Mancini shortly after the hour changed the balance of the game.
In an earlier quarterfinal, Roberto Muzzi and Dejan Stankovic scored a goal in each half to give Lazio a comfortable 2-0 win over Parma.
Alaves Post King’s Cup Upset, Barcelona Hold On
In Madrid, Alaves struck late to claim a 1-1 draw at Valladolid on Wednesday and become the only second division side to make it through to the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup.
After a goalless draw in the first leg, first division Valladolid took the lead through Francisco Sousa after 14 minutes.
Barcelona just managed to avoid a second surprise as goals from Andres Iniesta, Javier Saviola and Ronaldinho gave them a 3-1 win over second division Levante at the Nou Camp and a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza and Valencia joined them in the last eight when they completed victories on Wednesday.
Celta drew 2-2 with Malaga — both their goals coming from Vagner — to claim a 3-2 aggregate win, while Zaragoza’s 1-1 draw at Real Betis clinched a comfortable 4-2 success. League leaders Valencia made it safely through with a 2-0 win away to Osasuna for a 4-2 victory overall.
Barcelona, struggling in the league, nearly saw their Cup run brought to an end despite starting well against Levante.
