Magpies dodge giant-killing as ruthless Fulham and Everton show no mercy
ACCRINGTON (2) vs NEWCASTLE(3)
PREMIER League heavyweights Newcastle needed a second-half resurgence to avoid an upset at League Two Accrington.
Ryan Taylor looked to have put the underdogs in their place when his long-range strike gave an under-strength Magpies side the lead late in the first half. But a spectacular equaliser from Ray Putterill ensured the two teams went in level at half-time and revived a raucous home crowd’s hopes of a giant-killing.
Shola Ameobi needed less than three minutes of the second period to reassert Newcastle’s superiority with a low shot, however, and Peter Lovenkrands tapped in a rebound to extend the lead on 67 minutes.
Putterill saw another effort cleared off the line and Sean Hessey lashed home a second for Stanley deep into stoppage time, but the home side had to settle for a gallant second-round defeat.
England striker Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera both netted doubles as Fulham routed League Two Port Vale 6-0 at Craven Cottage. Recent signing Moussa Dembele notched his first for the Premier League club, who made just three changes from the weekend, while Clint Dempsey completed the scoring.
Everton also enjoyed easy progress to round three, with a 5-1 win over 10-man Huddersfield.
Marouane Fellaini, Jack Rodwell, Jermaine Beckford, Louis Saha and Leon Osman all struck against the League One side, who had Lee Peltier sent off for a second yellow card. But Toffees defender Johnny Heitinga had a night to forget, scoring an own goal and then missing a penalty.