Sunderland went out of the FA Cup to second-tier Bolton Wanderers yesterday after losing their third-round replay 2-0, while Fulham celebrated the narrowest of narrow escapes against Blackpool.
Sunderland have enjoyed an upsurge in English Premier League fortunes in recent weeks, moving six points clear of the relegation zone, but they joined north-east rivals Newcastle United in falling at the first hurdle in the cup.
England Under-21 striker Marvin Sordell was the match-winner at the Reebok Stadium, striking twice in the space of nine minutes in the second half to earn Bolton a home game with Everton in the fourth round. His first goal arrived from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, before he dispatched a Tyrone Mears cut-back in the 73rd minute.
Fulham were on the verge of elimination to Bolton's Championship rivals Blackpool after on-loan Aston Villa forward Nathan Delfouneso put the hosts 1-0 up in the 82nd minute at Bloomfield Road. However, a 23m strike by Kieran Richardson in the last minute took the game to extra time and Fulham skipper Brede Hangeland scored the winner with four minutes left. Fulham will meet either Manchester United or West Ham United, who were due to lock horns in a replay at Old Trafford overnight.
Jon Walters went some way towards atoning for his horror show in Stoke City's 4-0 loss to Chelsea at the weekend by scoring twice as they saw off Crystal Palace 4-1 after extra time. Walters scored two own goals and missed a penalty on Saturday, but he netted twice in extra time on his return to Britannia Stadium, after Glenn Murray's 87th-minute penalty for Palace cancelled out Kenwyne Jones' opener.
