Plymouth stun Brentford as other Premier League teams avoid FA Cup upsets

Plymouth Argyle belied their position at the bottom of the Championship by stunning Brentford in the third round of the FA Cup, as other Premier League teams avoided upsets on Saturday.

Plymouth sacked Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney on New Year’s Eve after slipping to the foot of the second-tier table, appointing Miron Muslic as his successor.

Muslic was then in the stands at the Gtech Community Stadium as Morgan Whittaker’s 82nd-minute strike guided the Pilgrims to a memorable victory.

Whittaker cut inside from the right and evaded several challenges before firing into the bottom-left corner, deciding a game of few clear-cut chances.

Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard had earlier denied Fabio Carvalho, but Yoane Wissa missed Brentford’s best chance to force extra-time when he nodded over the crossbar.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth suffered an early scare, but ultimately breezed past managerless West Brom, coming from behind to win 5-1 at the Vitality Stadium.

Caleb Taylor put West Brom ahead after 14 minutes, but a Justin Kluivert strike and two goals from Dango Ouattara had the Cherries in control by half-time.

Antoine Semenyo came off the bench to add a fine fourth, then Daniel Jebbison completed the rout in second-half stoppage time.

There were also goals galore at the King Power Stadium, where Leicester City thrashed Championship side Queens Park Rangers 6-2.

James Justin scored twice for the relegation-threatened Foxes, who were pegged back to 1-1 by Jonathan Varane’s long-ranger curler, only to inch back ahead through Stephy Mavididi.

Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy and Wout Faes were also on target for Leicester, with teenager Rayan Kolli having briefly inspired hope for QPR by making it 3-2 after half-time.

Neighbours Nottingham Forest carried their excellent Premier League form into the cup, despite rotating for their tie against Luton Town, who were beaten 2-0 two days on from Rob Edwards’ departure.

Ryan Yates and Ramon Sosa scored for Forest, who have now won seven straight games in all competitions.

Brighton were 4-0 victors against another second-tier side in Norwich City, with Georginio Rutter netting twice and being joined on the scoresheet by Julio Enciso and Solly March, the latter finding the top-left corner for his first goal in over a year.

Earlier on Saturday, Premier League relegation candidates Wolves avoided an upset at Bristol City, with two first-half goals propelling them to a 2-1 win.

Rayan Ait-Nouri stooped to nod in Joao Gomes’ cross for an early opener, before Rodrigo Gomes doubled their advantage with a dinked finish.

Scott Twine’s wonderful free-kick halved the arrears before half-time, but Wolves held on to secure a place in the fourth round, with the woodwork struck at both ends in the second half.

Rodrigo Gomes and Pablo Sarabia both hit the right-hand post for the visitors, while Ait-Nouri headed against his own crossbar in a late scare for Vitor Pereira’s team.