After the surprise elimination of Manchester United against Middlesbrough (1-1, 7-8 on tab) on Friday, the 5th round (the equivalent of the 16th finals) continued this Saturday with two posters featuring two London teams. Plymouth (League One, English D3) pushed Chelsea into overtime before losing (1-2 ap). If the Blues dominated throughout the meeting, the visitors quickly opened the scoring thanks to an uncrossed header signed Gillesphey (8th). After notably hitting the uprights three times, including twice by the same Kovacic (10th, 37th), the Blues picked up the score thanks to a beautiful Madjer before the break (41st). The Plymouth goalkeeper, valiant and combative like all his teammates, multiplied the parades, donning the hero’s cape on many occasions.
Alonso (105th + 2), but especially Kepa, who stopped a penalty from Hardie (117th), finally saved the men of Thomas Tuchel, absent (Covid-19) for this part, a real disappointment at home. Chelsea will see the 5th round of the oldest competition in the world. For its part, West Ham also fell on a bone in the person of Kidderminster, resident of the English sixth division. Contrary to the scenario at Stamford Bridge, the outcome was not positive for the Hammers at the Aggborough Stadium. Thanks to an achievement by defender Alex Penny (19th), the amateur club has long thought of achieving the feat of eliminating the 5th in the Premier League to slip into 16th of this magical FA Cup. It was without counting without a late realization of Rice (90th + 1) to snatch the extensions. Again, we had to wait for the last moments to see the WHU of a holder Areola get out of it, thanks to a goal on the gong of Bowen (120th + 1). The Hammers have been very hot but continue their Cup adventure.
