Aguero double lifts City in FA Cup

Hughes sacked as Stoke manager after Cup exit

AFP, LONDON: Sergio Aguero fired Manchester City to a 4-1 win over Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday.

While City strolled into the fourth round, Chelsea face an unwanted replay after being held to a 0-0 draw at Championship side Norwich.

City boss Pep Guardiola named a strong team including Aguero, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling at Eastlands, but the runaway Premier League leaders fell behind in the 25th minute.

Ashley Barnes blasted into the top corner after City defender John Stones sliced his attempted clearance.

However, Burnley hadn't won at City since 1973 and Argentina striker Aguero ensured that run continued.

City, who last tasted defeat in domestic competition in their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal in April, were level in the 56th minute when Aguero fired home from Ilkay Gundogan's pass.

Aguero then finished off a superb backheeled pass from Gundogan in the 58th minute.

Sane prodded home to put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute and Bernardo Silva made it four in the 82nd minute.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes was sacked as Stoke manager just hours after his struggling side's shock FA Cup third round defeat at minnows Coventry on Saturday.

Hughes was already on the brink of being dismissed prior to the 2-1 loss at fourth-tier Coventry following a miserable run that left the team languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.

The limp nature of Stoke's FA Cup exit proved the final straw as Hughes was axed three hours after the final whistle at the Ricoh Arena.

“Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect,” a statement on the club's Twitter account read.

“We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the club over the last four and a half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth places finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future.

“The club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time.”

Hughes' 200th game in charge of Stoke proved to be his last after Jack Grimmer's second half strike gave Coventry the biggest upset of the third round so far.

Charlie Adam had equalised with a 54th-minute penalty after Jordan Willis opened the scoring for Coventry.

Speaking immediately after the match, former Manchester City manager Hughes was hopeful he would be given more time to lift Stoke out of the relegation zone.

“The fact we've gone out, even if it's a little bit raw at the moment, might help us,” he said.

“Has it changed anything (his future) markedly from this afternoon? Is it any different from the situation after the Newcastle game? I don't think it is. It just highlights we need to do better.

“But in the long term, certainly until the end of the season, it might be a blessing for us.”

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes at Carrow Road, with Eden Hazard rested and Alvaro Morata only used as a substitute for last season's FA Cup runners-up.

The result was a disjointed display from the Blues, who now face an extra match that will add to Conte's frustration after his recent complaints about the draining effects of fixture congestion. The only flash-point in a tame tie saw Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger square up to a fan after the supporter threw away the ball when the defender tried to retrieve it.

At the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe made eight changes as he prioritised Premier League survival and it needed a second half revival from his understudies to rescue a 2-2 draw against Wigan. Northern Ireland forward Will Grigg gave Wigan a fourth minute lead from close-range and there was worse to come for Howe in the 29th minute when Emerson Hyndman's own goal doubled the visitors' lead.

Yet Lys Mousset reduced the deficit for Bournemouth in the 55th minute and League One leaders Wigan, who won the FA Cup in 2013, were denied a surprise win by Steve Cook's goal two minutes into stoppage-time.

Newcastle had been tipped as potential upset victims, but they swept away fourth tier leaders Luton with a 3-1 win at St James' Park.

West Bromwich Albion won for the first time in 21 games in all competitions, 2-0 at fourth tier Exeter giving boss Alan Pardew his first victory since replacing the sacked Tony Pulis.

Salomon Rondon's long-range drive put Albion ahead in the second minute and Jay Rodriguez added the second goal in the 25th minute.

Watford avoided more cup misery against giant-killers Bristol City with a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road.

City had also won at Vicarage Road in the League Cup this season, but Watford avoided another embarrassing loss thanks to goals from Andre Carrillo, Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue. Southampton won 1-0 at Fulham, Huddersfield beat Bolton 2-1, Swansea drew 0-0 at Wolves and Leicester were held to a 0-0 draw at third tier Fleetwood.

Aguero double lifts City in FA Cup

Hughes sacked as Stoke manager after Cup exit

AFP, LONDON: Sergio Aguero fired Manchester City to a 4-1 win over Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday. While City strolled into the fourth round, Chelsea face an unwanted replay after being held to a 0-0 draw at Championship side Norwich. City boss Pep Guardiola named a strong team including Aguero, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling at Eastlands, but the runaway Premier League leaders fell behind in the 25th minute. Ashley Barnes blasted into the top corner after City defender John Stones sliced his attempted clearance. However, Burnley hadnt won at City since 1973 and Argentina striker Aguero ensured that run continued. City, who last tasted defeat in domestic competition in their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal in April, were level in the 56th minute when Aguero fired home from Ilkay Gundogans pass. Aguero then finished off a superb backheeled pass from Gundogan in the 58th minute. Sane prodded home to put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute and Bernardo Silva made it four in the 82nd minute. Meanwhile, Mark Hughes was sacked as Stoke manager just hours after his struggling sides shock FA Cup third round defeat at minnows Coventry on Saturday. Hughes was already on the brink of being dismissed prior to the 2-1 loss at fourth-tier Coventry following a miserable run that left the team languishing in the Premier League relegation zone. The limp nature of Stokes FA Cup exit proved the final straw as Hughes was axed three hours after the final whistle at the Ricoh Arena. Stoke City can confirm that the contract of manager Mark Hughes has been terminated with immediate effect, a statement on the clubs Twitter account read. We would like to thank Mark for all he has achieved for the club over the last four and a half years, notably in guiding us to three successive ninth places finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him every success for the future. The club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible and will be making no further comment at this time. Hughes 200th game in charge of Stoke proved to be his last after Jack Grimmers second half strike gave Coventry the biggest upset of the third round so far. Charlie Adam had equalised with a 54th-minute penalty after Jordan Willis opened the scoring for Coventry. Speaking immediately after the match, former Manchester City manager Hughes was hopeful he would be given more time to lift Stoke out of the relegation zone. The fact weve gone out, even if its a little bit raw at the moment, might help us, he said. Has it changed anything (his future) markedly from this afternoon? Is it any different from the situation after the Newcastle game? I dont think it is. It just highlights we need to do better. But in the long term, certainly until the end of the season, it might be a blessing for us. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes at Carrow Road, with Eden Hazard rested and Alvaro Morata only used as a substitute for last seasons FA Cup runners-up. The result was a disjointed display from the Blues, who now face an extra match that will add to Contes frustration after his recent complaints about the draining effects of fixture congestion. The only flash-point in a tame tie saw Chelseas Antonio Rudiger square up to a fan after the supporter threw away the ball when the defender tried to retrieve it. At the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe made eight changes as he prioritised Premier League survival and it needed a second half revival from his understudies to rescue a 2-2 draw against Wigan. Northern Ireland forward Will Grigg gave Wigan a fourth minute lead from close-range and there was worse to come for Howe in the 29th minute when Emerson Hyndmans own goal doubled the visitors lead. Yet Lys Mousset reduced the deficit for Bournemouth in the 55th minute and League One leaders Wigan, who won the FA Cup in 2013, were denied a surprise win by Steve Cooks goal two minutes into stoppage-time. Newcastle had been tipped as potential upset victims, but they swept away fourth tier leaders Luton with a 3-1 win at St James Park. West Bromwich Albion won for the first time in 21 games in all competitions, 2-0 at fourth tier Exeter giving boss Alan Pardew his first victory since replacing the sacked Tony Pulis. Salomon Rondons long-range drive put Albion ahead in the second minute and Jay Rodriguez added the second goal in the 25th minute. Watford avoided more cup misery against giant-killers Bristol City with a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road. City had also won at Vicarage Road in the League Cup this season, but Watford avoided another embarrassing loss thanks to goals from Andre Carrillo, Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue. Southampton won 1-0 at Fulham, Huddersfield beat Bolton 2-1, Swansea drew 0-0 at Wolves and Leicester were held to a 0-0 draw at third tier Fleetwood.