FA Cup round-up: Pedro scores twice, John Terry sent off as Chelsea march into fourth round

Pedro scored twice to help Chelsea comfortably past Peterborough United and into the FA Cup fourth round. Glyn Kirk / AFP

Premier League leaders Chelsea had captain John Terry sent off as they cruised into the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 victory over Peterborough United on Sunday.

Terry, handed a rare start, saw red for a last-man foul on Lee Angol at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea progressed thanks to a Pedro Rodriguez double and goals from Michy Batshuayi and Willian.

Things were not so straightforward for Liverpool, who face a replay at fourth-tier Plymouth Argyle after a second-string team were held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes, Terry handed a first start since October and Kurt Zouma making his first appearance since last February following a serious knee injury.

Chelsea’s 13-game winning run was ended by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and they were under the cosh in the early stages, with Angol and Ryan Tafazolli going close for third-tier Peterborough.

But Pedro put the hosts in front in the 18th minute, stepping inside a sliding challenge and curling home after Nathaniel Chalobah’s shot was parried by Luke McGee.

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After Pedro hit the bar, Batshuayi and Willian scored neatly constructed goals either side of half-time to put Chelsea in control.

Terry’s 67th-minute dismissal for upending Angol gave Peterborough hope, but despite Tom Nichol reducing the arrears three minutes later, Pedro’s second goal made the game safe.

Chelsea follow Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal in securing a place in Monday’s fourth-round draw, but Liverpool must come through a replay if they are to join them.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made 10 changes for the visit of Plymouth, his side’s average age of 21 years and 296 days making them the youngest team in the club’s history.

The home side completely dominated possession, but struggled to create chances, with 17-year-old Ben Woodburn seeing a shot blocked by visiting goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

Klopp turned to his bench in the second half, sending on senior stars Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

But although Sturridge twice fizzed shots wide and substitute Connor Smith almost put through his own goal in stoppage time, Plymouth succeeded in taking the tie to a replay.

Grant Leadbitter, Alvaro Negredo and Marten de Roon scored and Daniel Ayala was sent off as Middlesbrough avoided an upset by beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

Meanwhile, Ryan Sessegnon became the youngest goalscorer in the full FA Cup — not including preliminary rounds — after scoring aged 16 years and 235 days in Fulham’s 2-1 win at Cardiff City.

* Agence France-Presse

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