LONDON, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Much-maligned striker Fernando Torres rescued FA Cup holders Chelsea from an ignominious fourth-round exit after his 83rd-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw at third tier Brentford on Sunday.

The Spaniard swept home to secure a replay as Chelsea, who missed out on one Wembley appearance after losing over two legs to Swansea City in the Capital One (League) Cup semi-finals, twice needed to come from behind at Griffin Park.

LONDON (Reuters) – Fourth-tier Bradford City’s remarkable run to the Capital One (League) Cup final, a feat all the more astonishing in the all-consuming Premier League era, should provide an extra spring in the step of clubs dreaming of an FA Cup giantkilling.

While Bradford’s achievements are unlikely to be emulated in the sport’s most famous domestic cup competition, with just two all-Premier League fourth round ties, the potential for upsets are abound this weekend.

LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Fourth-tier Bradford City’s remarkable run to the Capital One (League) Cup final, a feat all the more astonishing in the all-consuming Premier League era, should provide an extra spring in the step of clubs dreaming of an FA Cup giantkilling.

While Bradford’s achievements are unlikely to be emulated in the sport’s most famous domestic cup competition, with just two all-Premier League fourth round ties, the potential for upsets are abound this weekend.

LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Fourth-tier Bradford City’s remarkable run to the Capital One (League) Cup final, a feat all the more astonishing in the all-consuming Premier League era, should provide an extra spring in the step of clubs dreaming of an FA Cup giantkilling.

While Bradford’s achievements are unlikely to be emulated in the sport’s most famous domestic cup competition, with just two all-Premier League fourth round ties, the potential for upsets are abound this weekend.

LONDON (Reuters) – West Ham United’s teenage defender Daniel Potts was taken to hospital suffering from concussion after being briefly knocked out in a second-half clash of heads with Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna in their Premier League match on Wednesday.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said Potts, 18, was knocked out in the challenge with Sagna, and “hit the ground as a dead weight” where he hit his head again.

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – West Ham United’s teenage defender Daniel Potts was taken to hospital suffering from concussion after being briefly knocked out in a second-half clash of heads with Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna in their Premier League match on Wednesday.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said Potts, 18, was knocked out in the challenge with Sagna, and “hit the ground as a dead weight” where he hit his head again.

LONDON (Reuters) – Oliver Giroud netted a double, Lukas Podolski scored and set up three more as rampant Arsenal closed the gap on the Champions League positions by thumping West Ham United 5-1 in their rearranged Premier League match on Wednesday.

Arsenal, finding a spark and much-needed self belief after successive league defeats by title-chasing Manchester City and Chelsea, ran riot with four goals in 12 mad minutes after the break having fallen behind in the first half to Jack Collison’s goal.

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – Oliver Giroud netted a double, Lukas Podolski scored and set up three more as rampant Arsenal closed the gap on the Champions League positions by thumping West Ham United 5-1 in their rearranged Premier League match on Wednesday.

Arsenal, finding a spark and much-needed self belief after successive league defeats by title-chasing Manchester City and Chelsea, ran riot with four goals in 12 mad minutes after the break having fallen behind in the first half to Jack Collison’s goal.

LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) – Former sprinter Craig Pickering was hailed as a potential star of bobsleigh by Britain’s performance director on Thursday after being selected for the world championships, two months after taking up the sport.

Pickering will be brakeman in the two-man bob for the St Moritz, Switzerland event beginning later this month.

LONDON (Reuters) – Two own goals by Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters set Chelsea on their way to a 4-0 Premier League victory on Saturday that gave under-fire interim manager Rafael Benitez some respite and lifted his side to third place.

Walters had a nightmare afternoon at the Britannia stadium, putting through his own net with a diving header on the stroke of halftime, then beating Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic again with a header from a corner just past the hour. He also missed a late penalty.