Grant McCann expressed deep pride after League Two side Doncaster defeated Hull 5-4 on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup to earn a fourth‑round tie against Premier League Crystal Palace.
With the score 1-1 following extra time, Harry Clifton converted the winning spot-kick after Mason Burstow and Alfie Jones missed for the Championship team. Earlier, Luke Molyneux had given Doncaster the lead shortly after half-time but Hull equalised in the 80th minute when Gustavo Puerta followed up Burstow’s low shot that hit the base of the left post.
The former Hull manager McCann said: “We had to be strong defensively because they are an improving team with really good players. We had to be structured out of possession – and we did that. I’m pleased for the players and the effort they put in. I’m pleased for the fans, and I’m pleased for the football club. Financially, it’s tremendously important. There were some really strong performances.”
Doncaster charged into a 51st-minute lead when Molyneux smartly cashed in upon a brisk counterattack before Puerta equalised. Joe Ironside missed Rovers’ first penalty of the shootout, but Burstow later skied one over the crossbar. Teddy Sharman-Lowe then brilliantly saved Jones’s effort before Clifton scored the decisive kick.
The Hull City head coach, Rubén Sellés, felt Sharman-Lowe could have been sent off in normal time after he was only shown a yellow card for a foul on Abu Kamara. “I don’t know the interpretation of that rule, but I think that situation [decision] was key,” said Sellés.
Kalvin Phillips scored his first goal since December 2023 as Ipswich beat Bristol Rovers 3-0 at Portman Road. The defensive midfielder showed signs of his best form as his curled finish put Kieran McKenna’s side on track to overcome their League One visitors with further goals coming courtesy of Jack Clarke and Jack Taylor before half-time.
“I thought he played well. I thought him and Massimo [Luongo]were very good,” McKenna said. “Kalvin’s in a good position, he’s growing in confidence and rhythm and he showed his quality in midfield.
“I think he’s had a really solid first half of the season to be honest. There will always be a different perception of Kalvin because he’s come from Manchester City but he’s a normal person and a very good player who’s trying his best.
“He came in without a pre-season with us, he played a lot at the start, I think eight or nine in a row, and if you compare that with starts he’s had two years before that then it’s quite a lot.
“He’s improving, growing in confidence and fitness, understanding of his role and what we ask of him and he’s making good steps and progressing well.”
Ipswich eased off after the break but missed the chance for a fourth when Ali Al-Hamadi scuffed a penalty wide of a post. The quality of Phillips helped Ipswich dominate the ball in the early stages and a neat switch out wide by the Manchester City loanee was eventually worked in to the unmarked Taylor, who swung wildly and let Rovers off the hook after 15 minutes.
Phillips’s pedigree was on full display as he received the ball outside the area and his whipped effort flashed past the goalkeeper Josh Griffiths and into the bottom-right corner. Ipswich’s press forced Rovers into a series of errors as they defended from the front to grab a second.
after newsletter promotion
The left-back Lino Sousa received the ball on the turn and took too long in possession, allowing blue shirts to intercept his wayward back-pass, with Clarke poised to tap in. Taylor appeared to be in an offside position for Ipswich’s third but with no VAR and little attempt by the visitors to mark the striker, he ran on to a loose ball through the middle and showed composure to finish with the side of his foot.
Ipswich’s relentless approach continued after the break when Massimo Luongo’s shot hit the hand of Grant Ward as they were awarded a penalty. Al-Hamadi stepped up and sent his spot-kick wide.
Kamaldeen Sulemana ended a 37-game goal drought and Tyler Dibling scored twice as Southampton registered a first win under manager Ivan Juric by beating Swansea 3-0.
Club-record signing Sulemana, who cost a reported £22m from French club Rennes two years ago, found the net for the first time since May 2023 by lobbing the Premier League’s bottom side ahead at St Mary’s.
Dibling benefited from a Sulemana assist to claim Saints’ second before the teenager added another in the second half to finish off opposition sitting mid-table in the Championship.
It was a comfortable victory for Saints, the 1976 FA Cup winners, who are 10 points adrift of safety in the top flight. It was only a fourth win in 25 outings for Southampton this season and ended an 11-match winless run stretching back to 2 November.
Southampton will host Championship promotion hopefuls Burnley in the fourth round early next month.
Leave a Reply