FA Cup: Arsenal cling on to FA Cup victory over Brighton
Football
By
Reuters
| Jan 25, 2015
|
|
| Arsenal's Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (C) celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the FA Cup fourth round football match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at The American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO |
Holders Arsenal were made sweat by Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion before eventually prevailing 3-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday to ensure they did not fall foul of another upset.
A day after Chelsea and Manchester City were stunned by Bradford City and Middlesbrough respectively, Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead on 89 seconds before Mesut Ozil added a second midway through the first half.
Brighton pulled a goal back through Chris O'Grady but Tomas Rosicky restored Arsenal's two-goal advantage with an exquisite volley from the edge of the box.
Sam Baldock reduced the deficit with a neat finish on 75 minutes to set up a nervy finish for Arsenal but the holders stood firm to book their place in the fifth round.
Earlier on Sunday, substitute Diafra Sakho scored a late winner to give West Ham United a 1-0 victory over League One (third tier) side Bristol City, while Aston Villa beat Championship (second tier) leaders Bournemouth 2-1.