FA Cup shocks for top-level quartet

LONDON (AP):

Newcastle was ousted from the FA Cup by fourth-tier Stevenage in Saturday's biggest third-round shock, following Premier League rivals Blackpool, Sunderland and West Bromwich out of the competition at the hands of lowly opposition.

Despite Newcastle making five changes from the side that routed West Ham in midweek, it was still a strong side that went down 3-1 at Stevenage.

While Stevenage are 15th in League Two, Newcastle are eighth in the Premier League.

Sunderland's 2-1 loss to third-tier Notts County allowed Paul Ince to prevail over former Manchester United teammate Steve Bruce, whose Sunderland side is sixth in the top flight.

Blackpool went down 2-0 at third-tier Southampton and West Bromwich lost 1-0 at Reading of the second-tier League Championship.

Leeds looked set to follow last season's victory over Manchester United by ousting Arsenal before Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Robert Snodgrass' spot kick with one of his own in the 90th minute to earn a 1-1 draw.

Leeds well organised

"Leeds were well organised, they were quickly on us and maybe our game was not quick enough to get out of their pressure," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who made nine changes from the team which drew 0-0 with Manchester City

Stoke and Wolverhampton will also have to contest replays, but Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bolton, Everton, Fulham, West Ham and Wigan all secured places in Sunday's fourth-round draw.

At the Stadium of Light, Craig Westcarr and Lee Hughes scored for Notts County before Darren Bent pulled one back from the penalty spot for Sunderland, which rested several first-team regulars.

West Brom's elimination came after Reading striker Shane Long netted before the Baggies had Jonas Olsson sent off for a second bookable offence.

Lee Barnard and Guly Do Prado got the goals for Southampton that sent a weakened Blackpool side out of the competition.

Wolves could not follow up their midweek league win over Chelsea at Doncaster.

Stephen Hunt's spot kick salvaged a draw for the visitors before having George Elokobi sent off for a challenge on James Coppinger.

Doncaster led 2-1 at half-time after Billy Sharp and James Hayter scored twice in as many minutes to cancel out Nenad Milijas' opener for Wolves.

Stoke also faces a replay after Tuncay Sanli cancelled out Michael Chopra's goal for Cardiff to earn a 1-1 draw.

Goals from Kyle Walker Marc Albrighton and Stiliyan Petrov clinched a 3-1 victory at Sheffield United for Aston Villa, which had Ashley Young sent off.

"We haven't had the results we wanted in the league and it's never easy away at Sheffield United," said Gerard Houllier, whose Villa side is in the Premier League relegation zone.

Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander netted in Bolton's 2-0 win against non-league York, Everton routed League Championship Scunthorpe 5-1 and Fulham crushed Peterborough 6-2, with Diomansy Kamara scoring a hat-trick.

West Ham, who are bottom of the Premier League, beat Barnsley 2-0 thanks to goals from Jonathan Spector and Frederic Piquionne, Birmingham won 4-1 at Millwall, Blackburn ousted League Championship leader Queens Park Rangers with a 1-0 win and Wigan edged Hull 3-2