London: Second-tier Millwall twice came from behind to beat top-flight Everton 3-2 in Saturday’s big FA Cup fourth-round upset although their last-gasp triumph was tinged with controversy.
On a day when Manchester City continued their pursuit of silverware on four fronts with a 5-0 thrashing of Burnley and Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers narrowly avoided defeat at third-tier Shrewsbury Town, the big drama came later in a rain-sodden south London.
Richarlison’s 43rd-minute shot from 25 metres opened the scoring for Everton as it squirmed past Millwall keeper Jordan Archer but Lee Gregory’s header levelled the score before halftime.
Substitute Cenk Tosun restored Everton’s lead but Millwall, quarter-finalists two years ago, again hit back three minutes later through Jake Cooper, although Everton were incensed as the ball appeared to come off his arm.
With VAR being used at selected ties — but not at the Den — the goal was allowed, despite a large video screen replaying the incident.
Everton had only themselves to blame, though, when they failed to defend Shaun Williams’s dangerous free kick in stoppage time and Murray Wallace beat England keeper Jordan Pickford from six metres out.
“My arm was alongside my body but you would have to give every penalty that hit your arm if you are going to pull that up,” Cooper said of his goal.
“We’ll take that and luckily we got the winner.”
Burnley made seven changes to their line-up for the visit to City and paid the price as Pep Guardiola’s side made it 33 goals from eight straight wins in all competitions.
Gabriel Jesus put City ahead with a fine strike after 23 minutes. Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero also scored, with a Kevin Long own goal completing the demolition.
Shrewsbury are 54 rungs lower than four-times winners Wolves on the English football ladder but were within touching distance of a famous FA Cup victory — only for Matt Doherty to break their hearts in stoppage time.
After 70 minutes at New Meadow the side managed by former Wolves player Sam Ricketts were 2-0 up thanks to goals by Greg Docherty and Luke Waterfall. But Wolves, who knocked out Liverpool in the third round, fought back with goals from Raul Jimenez and Doherty to keep their names in the hat for Monday’s draw. — Reuters
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