Holders Arsenal, Man City through in FA Cup

Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud runs with the ball during the English FA Cup third-round football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in London

London: Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud scored as Arsenal started their FA Cup defence by coming from behind to defeat Sunderland 3-1 in the third round on Saturday.


Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud runs with the ball during the English FA Cup third-round football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in London. Pic/AFP

Arsenal were joined in round four by Premier League title rivals Manchester City, who won 3-0 at Norwich City, but Southampton and Newcastle United were both eliminated and West Brom survived a scare.

Sunderland took a 17th-minute lead at the Emirates Stadium through Jeremain Lens, but Joel Campbell equalised eight minutes later before second-half goals by Ramsey and Giroud gave Arsene Wenger's men victory.

Substitute Ramsey made it 2-1 in the 72nd minute after a one-two with Hector Bellerin and Bellerin then teed up Giroud for Arsenal's third goal four minutes later.

Manchester City strolled through at Carrow Road, where Sergio Aguero put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute with a driving run and emphatic shot.

Aguero set up 19-year-old strike partner Kelechi Iheanacho for City's second goal on the half-hour and substitute Kevin De Bruyne wrapped up victory 12 minutes from time.

Liverpool survive scare; Villa held
Meanwhile, Liverpool were forced to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 at fourth tier Exeter City in the FA Cup third round after an horrendous error by goalkeeper Adam Bogdan almost gifted the minnows a shock victory on Friday.

Klopp made 11 changes to the starting line-up that won at Stoke in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday. Aston Villa's wretched season continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fourth-tier minnows Wycombe.