Potter era starts with FA Cup elimination for struggling West Ham

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:30 PM CST Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 Last Modified: 4:47 PM CST Friday, Jan. 10, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — The Graham Potter era at West Ham got off to a disappointing and controversial start when Aston Villa came from behind to beat Potter’s side 2-1 and knock it out of the FA Cup on Friday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2025 (617 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The third-round match will be remembered for a poor decision in the buildup to Morgan Rogers’ winning goal.

Lucas Paquetá put the Hammers ahead after just nine minutes only for Amadou Onana to equalize for Villa with 19 minutes remaining.

West Ham United manager Graham Potter, left, and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery work the touchline during the English FA Cup third round soccer match at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)

But the referee gave the home team a 75th-minute corner after an Onana shot flew wide and it was from that decision that Rogers scored the winner. After the ball was cleared Ollie Watkins sent it back into the box for Rogers to fire home.

Video replay clearly showed Onana’s shot did not hit a West Ham player and should have been a goalkick.

A former Swansea, Brighton and Chelsea coach, Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui this week to return to management after almost two years out the game.

But after its bright start his team ceded too much possession and territory to Villa and it is the home side that goes into the fourth round seeking a first FA Cup win since 1957.

Wycombe eliminate Portsmouth

In the night’s other game, third-tier Wycombe scored twice in the first half to advance past second-division Portsmouth 2-0.

The match pitted the second in League One against the team second from bottom of the Championship and it went with the form side.

Brandon Hanlan gave Wycombe the lead after 17 minutes when he lashed home from close range and Sonny Bradley doubled their advantage 10 minutes later with a header from a speculative free kick.

FA Cup winner in 2008, Portsmouth made three changes at halftime but it made little difference as Wycombe competently saw out the game.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer