FA Cup round-up:Simon Cox put himself firmly in the shop window after firing West Brom into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a hat-trick against Cardiff. The Republic of Ireland striker, who is believed to be looking for a move away from the Hawthorns due to a lack of first team opportunities, was on the scoresheet three times in the Baggies' 4-2 win.
Goals from Peter Odemwingie and Cox opened up a two-goal lead just after the half-hour, only for a City side showing 10 changes to be level after 50 minutes courtesy of former Albion striker Robert Earnshaw and substitute Joe Mason. It was Cox, though, with only one goal this season and that back in August, who had the final say with a 25-yard strike on the hour and a tap in at the death.
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson took the opportunity to tell Cox to knock on his door first before he speaks out of turn about his future. Cox this week stated he might have to leave The Hawthorns for the sake of his career if he fails to hold down a first team place.
Hodgson initially expressed his delight with Cox’s performance as he said: “That’s a positive for Simon who has taken his chance when it has come along. I thought he did very well at Tottenham the other night as well, so with his three goals and his performance today, it’s a clear positive for us and for him.”
But asked as to his thoughts when told of Cox’s comments, Hodgson was clearly unimpressed, adding: “My thinking has never changed. I’ve never considered him going elsewhere. I don’t know what he’s said to the press, but as far as I’m concerned he is a West Bromwich Albion player, and I’m very happy about that.
“Before he makes those statements and gets you all so excited, it might be a good idea if he comes and speaks to me. It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Cox's fellow Ireland international Damien Duff was also on target for Fulhambut the winger's effort was overshadowed by a hat-trick from Clint Dempsey as the Cottagers avoided a potential upset with a 4-0 win over Charlton.Dempsey's goals helped the Cottagers triumph in a London derby in which the League One leaders' performance belied the scoreline.
Dempsey gave the Cottagers an eighth minute lead after connecting with a deflected through ball from former Charlton midfielder Danny Murphy to flick home. Boosted by up to 7,000 visiting fans, Charlton attacked with intent and only fine goalkeeping from David Stockdale prevented them netting an equaliser.
Yann Kermorgant, Danny Green and Bradley Wright-Phillips were all denied by the England man, before Dempsey netted in the 61st minute. The 28-year-old secured progression to the fourth round with nine minutes remaining, converting from the penalty spot before substitute Duff scored a late deflected effort.
Jon Walters helped Stokeprogress as Tony Pulis enjoyed a victorious 3-1 return to the Priestfield Stadium, coming from a goal down to open their campaign with a comfortable win against Gillingham.Last season's runners-up, Stoke responded to Danny Kedwell's 16th-minute strike with goals from Walters, Cameron Jerome and Robert Huth to reach the fourth round.
Pulis managed Gillingham between 1995 and 1999, guiding the club to the brink of the Championship before leaving in acrimonious circumstances, which ended in a court case. Gillingham owner Paul Scally banned Pulis from all areas of the ground except the dug-out and the changing room and wrote in the match programme that he could never forgive the Stoke boss.
But the Gillingham support gave Pulis a standing ovation, which he returned with a wave and applause to all corners of the ground before taking his place in the technical area.
Giovani Dos Santos scored his third Tottenhamgoal in four years and helped set up two more as Harry Redknapp's men cruised in to the fourth round with a comfortable 3-0 win over League Two side Cheltenham.Dos Santos, who has spent most of his time at Spurs out on loan, was visibly irked when Jermain Defoe stole in to stab home from one yard after the Mexican had lobbed Cheltenham stopper Scott Brown in the first half.
But the Mexican then set up Roman Pavlyuchenko for Tottenham’s second before ending the match on a high by clipping a clever shot over Brown at the death to seal the Premier League side’s passage.
Dos Santos was one of several fringe players who impressed to give Redknapp reassurance that he has plenty of quality to call upon in what could be the most important six months of his managerial career.
Tamworth'sFA Cup run came to an end in the third round at Goodison Park as Evertonground out a 2-0 win against the Blue Square Premier League side. The Lambs were looking to become the first non-league team to beat top-flight opponents since Sutton knocked out Coventry in 1989 but they made a disappointing start when Johnny Heitinga headed in Landon Donovan's corner inside five minutes.
Tamworth gave as good as they got after that, particularly in the latter stages of the first half, but they could not find an equaliser and Everton substitute Leighton Baines wrapped up victory from the penalty spot 11 minutes from time.
Swindoncaused the biggest upset of the day as the League Two side came from behind to beat Wigan2-1 at the County Ground. Premier League side Wigan were awarded a penalty after Aden Flint fouled Callum McManaman but Latics midfielder Ben Watson missed the resulting spot kick.
However, McManaman chased up the rebound to put Wigan ahead 10 minutes before the break, but the lead was short-lived as Alan Connell levelled the score with five minutes of the first half remaining with a header from the left of the six yard box. Paul Benson’s strike gave the Robins the lead in the 76th minute and Paolo Di Canio’s side held on to seal progression to the fourth round for the first time in 16 years.
Stevenagemaintained their reputation as giant killers as they beat Championship side Reading1-0 at the Madejski Stadium. The League One side, who knocked Newcastle out of the cup in the third round last season, held on to the slender lead earnt by Darius Charles' 21st minute strike. Charles fired home from 20 yards to book his side a place in the fourth round.
Boltonescaped embarrassment as David Wheater's header saw them salvage a replay against League Two Macclesfieldas they drew 2-2 at Moss Rose. The Premier League side took the lead through Ivan Klasnic after he pounced on Nathaniel Brown's clearance in the seventh minute but the advantage was shot lived as Colin Daniel drew Macclesfield level in the 16th minute.
Arnaud Mendy’s 25-yard volley then handed the Silkmen the lead in the 68th minute before Wheater headed the Trotters level.
Blue Square Premier leaders Wrexhamearned a replay against Championship side Brightonas they drew 1-1 at the Falmer Stadium. Jake Forster-Caskey's opener for Brighton was cancelled out by midfielder Adrian Cieslewicz's second half strike to book a rematch at the Racecourse Ground.
Birminghamkeeper Colin Doyle made a superb double save in injury time to earn his side an FA Cup third round replay against Wolvesafter a drab goalless draw at St Andrew's. Doyle tipped a drive from Wolves winger Matt Jarvis onto a post and then kept out the rebound header from Steven Fletcher.
Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had also been guilty of a glaring second half miss when he shot over with the goal at his mercy. Both sides showed plenty of commitment and endeavour but the game was lacking in quality. Defences were generally on top with centre-backs Curtis Davies (Blues) and Christophe Berra (Wolves) in commanding form.
Wolves winger Michael Kightly looked dangerous on his return to the side and on loan Blues midfielder Guirane N’Daw impressed. But no one demonstrated the wherewithal needed to unlock the opposition until the late drama.
Jonas Gutierrez produced a last-gasp moment of brilliance to fire Newcastleinto the next round with a 2-1 win at Blackburn'sexpense. The Argentina international completed a concerted fightback in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a fine individual goal to dash Rovers' hopes.
Hatem Ben Arfa had earlier dragged the home side back into the tie with a 70th-minute equaliser of similar quality, after the visitors had taken the lead against the run of play 10 minutes before the break.
It was scarcely more than Alan Pardew’s men deserved despite not reaching the heights of Wednesday night’s 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over champions Manchester United, with only keep Mark Bunn and the woodwork having kept Blackburn in the game until the death.
