Arsenal FC advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup after escaping with a 3-2 win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday at The American Express Community Stadium.
Theo Walcott gave Arsenal an early lead with a quick goal in the second minute of the match. Mesut Ozil made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, and the Gunners looked poise to cruise to an easy victory.
Chris O'Grady made it an interesting match with a goal in the 50th minute, but Tomas Rosicky answered in the 59th minute to give Arsenal more breathing space. Sam Baldock nailed one for Brighton in the 75th minute, but they failed to score the equalizer as Arsenal cruised to the next round.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger lauded his squad for keeping their composure despite several comeback attempts from Brighton. Wenger said that Arsenal will be one of the favorites this year along with other Barclays Premier League squad like Manchester United.
"We'll be one of the favorites, because I think Man United might go through and some of the other Premier League sides will go through," Wenger told reporters. "We'll be among these teams but you cannot predict who will win it."
One of the strongest contenders from the Premier League failed to advance on Saturday, though, after absorbing a shocking 4-2 defeat to Bradford City on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
Gary Cahill and Ramires gave Chelsea a commanding 2-0 lead in the first 38 minutes of the match, but allowed Bradford City to take control from then on.
Jonathan Stead made it 2-1 before the break and Filipe Morais scored the equalizer in the 75th minute. Andy Halliday then put Bradford City ahead in the 82nd minute, while Mark Yeates sealed the win with a goal in extra time.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho did not hide his disappointment after the match, saying that he is ashamed of their "unacceptable" and disgraceful performance against a less-favored team.
"The way they arrived to the 2-0 looked quite comfortable," Mourinho said of his team. "But the goal they scored minute 40-something brought them into the game. After that there are things difficult to explain. Goals we miss, goals we concede."
