Arsenal knocked out by fourth-division Bradford
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
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Arsenal FC are out of the League Cup after losing on penalties to Bradford City AFC in the quarter-finals, on a far more comfortable night of cup football for AS Roma and Valencia CF.
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England
Bradford City AFC, whose only domestic honour came in 1911 when they lifted the FA Cup, caused a major upset against Arsenal FC in the League Cup quarter-final in Yorkshire. The fourth-tier side went ahead when forward Garry Thompson volleyed in after 16 minutes, but Thomas Vermaelen's header drew the visiting Gunners level with three minutes remaining. Neither team could find a way through in extra time, and Bradford eventually prevailed 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out.
Aston Villa FC also secured their place in the last four after coming from behind to dispatch hosts Norwich City FC 4-1, thanks in part to a pair of second-half goals from Andreas Weimann. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Sunderland AFC moved up to 15th with a 3-0 home success against second-from-bottom Reading FC.
Italy
AS Roma are through to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals following a 3-0 home victory against Atalanta BC in tonight's fifth-round action. The Giallorossi took the lead midway through the first half, Miralem Pjanić's long-range shot taking Atalanta goalkeeper Andrea Consigli by surprise. Consigli was caught out again just after the half-hour when Pablo Osvaldo – sent off in the second half – outmuscled Cristian Raimondi and finished into the empty net. Mattia Destro rubber-stamped the win after the interval. Roma will play Udinese Calcio or ACF Fiorentina in the last eight.
Spain
Having prevailed 1-0 at CA Osasuna in the Liga on Saturday, Valencia CF went one better against the same opposition in their Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg in Pamplona. Midfielder Daniel Parejo opened the scoring two minutes after the break, before Roberto Soldado ensured Ernesto Valverde's side head into the fifth-round return on 8 January in a commanding position.