Rare Lucas goal edges Liverpool past Plymouth

Reuters: Lucas ended a goal drought stretching back to 2010 and Divock Origi missed a late penalty as Liverpool beat fourth tier Plymouth Argyle 1-0 in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday.

After minor league sides Lincoln City and Sutton United produced upsets to enthuse romantics on Tuesday, the mantle was passed to Plymouth to make another stand for the smaller clubs.

Despite their dogged resistance, however, there was to be no shock at Plymouth’s Home Park or at St Mary’s where Premier League Southampton edged past second tier Norwich City 1-0 after Shane Long scored in the second minute of stoppage time.

Newcastle United’s 3-1 victory over Birmingham City in an all second-tier clash completed the third-round fixtures.

Having been held to a goalless draw at Anfield 10 days ago, Liverpool again found Plymouth to be stubborn opponents who made light of the 67 places between the sides in the standings.

Southampton’s clash with Norwich was a dour game that had looked destined to go to extra time until Long scuffed the ball home deep in stoppage time from a metre out.

Newcastle United beat Birmingham thanks to an early penalty from Matt Ritchie and a superb finish from Yoan Gouffran to give them a two-goal lead at the break. David Cotterill pulled a goal back for Birmingham, but Ritchie’s late second from close range wrapped up the win for Newcastle.