Torres saves Chelsea in Cup clash
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 28, 2013
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Fernando Torres celebrates after drawing Chelsea level against Brentford at Griffin Park on Jan.27, 2013. |
Holder Chelsea needed an 83rd-minute equalizer from Fernando Torres to rescue a 2-2 draw at third tier Brentford yesterday as it narrowly avoided a humiliating exit in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Spaniard swept home to secure a replay as Chelsea, which missed out on one Wembley appearance after losing over two legs to Swansea City in the League Cup semifinals, twice needed to come from behind at Griffin Park.
Chelsea, which has lifted the trophy in four of the last six seasons, was second-best throughout the first half and went behind just before halftime when Italian Marcello Trotta lashed home.
Brazilian Oscar equalized with some fine individual skill 10 minutes into the second half but the hosts stunned their London rivals by going ahead again with Harry Forrester's penalty on 73 minutes.
Two other Premier League sides were facing awkward away fixtures later, with Tottenham Hotspur travelling to Championship side Leeds United and Liverpool visiting League One Oldham Athletic.
There were two major shocks on Saturday, which followed Aston Villa's elimination by Championship club Millwall on Friday.
Queens Park Rangers were humbled 2-4 by third-tier Milton Keynes Dons, while Luton Town of the Conference National won 1-0 at Norwich City to become the first non-league side to eliminate a top-flight opponent since 1989.
Drama was in short supply at Old Trafford where Manchester United sauntered past Fulham 4-1 while second tier Brighton and Hove Albion pushed Arsenal all the way on the south coast before substitute Theo Walcott scored in the 85th minute to edge his side to a 3-2 win.
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