Luton, MK Dons turn giant killers in FA Cup

Luton became the first non-league team in 24 years to beat topflight opposition in the FA Cup as Norwich was knocked out in the fourth round on Saturday. Norwich, which is 85 places above fifth-tier club Luton in the English football pyramid, was beaten 1-0 at home after Scott Rendell scored in the 80th minute.

"The players were tremendous today. They held a Premier League team for 90-plus minutes," Luton Town manager Paul Buckle said. "It's a huge day for them, for me and for our supporters. Norwich pushed us all the way but we were good for the win in the end."

The FA Cup has not witnessed such a giant killing since Sutton beat Coventry 2-1 in the third round in 1989. And not since 1949 has a non-league team managed to overcome a side from the top flight beyond the third round. Luton, FA Cup semifinalists in 1994, won the League Cup in 1988 and was in the top flight until 1992 before dropping down the divisions and enduring financial turmoil.

MK Dons of the third tier delivered another FA Cup upset on Saturday by beating Queens Park Rangers, which is bottom of the Premier League, 4-2. Arsenal was twice pegged back at Brighton after taking the lead but won 3-2 at the second-tier club thanks to a late goal from substitute Theo Walcott. Olivier Giroud put Arsenal ahead in the 16th minute but Ashley Barnes leveled with a powerful header. Giroud restored Arsenal's lead at the start of the second half, and Leonardo Ulloa drew Brighton level again with a diving header, but Walcott had the final say in the 85th.

Manchester City also scored with five minutes to go at Stoke to advance with a 1-0 victory. Everton's 500th match in David Moyes' managerial reign ended in dramatic fashion with substitute Johnny Heitinga scoring in stoppage time to clinch a 2-1 win over Bolton.

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