Sunderland end Arsenal's FA Cup hopes
Saturday, February 18, 2012
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Beaten 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Arsenal FC suffered more disappointment on the road as they lost 2-0 to Sunderland AFC in the FA Cup fifth round.
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It was a disappointing day in the FA Cup fifth round for England's UEFA Champions League representatives as Chelsea FC were held at home by lower-league opposition and Arsenal FC lost 2-0 at Sunderland AFC.
A week after a last-gasp Thierry Henry goal condemned Sunderland to a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League, Martin O'Neil's team gained their revenge at the Stadium of Light. After Arsenal defender Francis Coquelin limped off early on with a hamstring injury, Kieran Richardson put the hosts ahead with a deflected drive.
A late Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal completed a miserable afternoon for Arsène Wenger, who also lost Coquelin's replacement, Sébastien Squillaci, to injury after the break.
Playing in the first of the day's five ties, Chelsea fell behind to Birmingham City FC when David Murphy (20) struck from close range. Colin Doyle prevented André Villas-Boas's side − who play SSC Napoli in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday − from swiftly levelling by saving Juan Mata's penalty, but was beaten in the second half when Daniel Sturridge headed in Branislav Ivanović's cross.
Elsewhere, Everton FC booked a quarter-final place with a 2-0 home win against Blackpool FC, both goals coming in the first six minutes, Norwich City FC lost 2-1 to Leicester City FC and Bolton Wanderers FC eliminated Millwall FC.