Smith profits from spot of good fortune

Sunderland 0 Watford 1

So there won't be any anniversary waltzing with the FA Cup for Sunderland. Thirty years on from their Wembley win against Leeds, secured by Ian Porterfield, now coach of Busan Icons in South Korea, the Wearsiders were whisked off the FA Cup trail amid the whiff of controversy here yesterday. Bottom of the Premiership, Howard Wilkinson's side lost out on a quarter-final place as Tommy Smith clinched a nominal giant-killing for Watford with a twice-taken penalty.

When Jason McAteer was penalised for allegedly aiming an elbow towards Heidar Helguson in the 65th minute, Smith's first kick smacked off the knees of Thomas Sorensen. The referee, Mike Dean, however, ruled that Sunderland's Danish goalkeeper had moved before the kick had been taken and Smith succeeded at the second attempt, striking his shot in off the post. It left the Sunderland players screaming in protest, but to no avail. Watford held out to reach the last eight for the first time since 1988, gratefully snatching a hand of opportunity that can only ease their deep financial troubles.

"We got the rub of the green," said Watford's manager, Ray Lewington. "We know that. But the players showed a lot of character out there. I think we deserved the bit of luck we got. Sunderland were unlucky but I don't think you can take anything away from our players."

Indeed not. Lewington confessed he was trying to get Gavin Mahon to take the second kick but no one could get the ball off Watford's homegrown England Under-21 international. "I'm grateful he overruled everyone," Lewington added.

Howard Wilkinson could only pick over the bones of contention. "I didn't see the penalty incident and I've looked at the replay and I still can't see it," the Sunderland manager said. "The retake was a double whammy. I feel bitterly disappointed. We didn't deserve that result."

For Watford the success was all the sweeter given the absence from their ranks of Jermaine Pennant, injury having denied the young winger a farewell fling on the eve of his return to Arsenal. The First Division side made a promising enough start without him, though they ought to have been playing catch-up from the ninth minute.

When a ball from Tore Andre Flo bisected the visiting defence, Kevin Phillips was clean through the middle with only Alec Chamberlain to beat. To the relief of the former Sunderland goalkeeper, however, Phillips pulled his shot across goal and wide of the target. It was one of few clear chances in an even first half.

Watford matched their Premiership opponents in terms of midfield endeavour but struggled to forge openings. Not until the 35th minute did they cause a flutter in the home guard, Allan Neilsen crossing from the right and Smith just failing to get his head to the ball.

It would have helped Sunderland's cause had Flo looked anything like a £6.75m striker. Time and again their attacking endeavours foundered on a poor touch or some poor positioning by the lumbering Norwegian. It was not the best of afternoons for Gianfranco Zola's old partner and it came as no surprise when he was put out of his misery in the 59th minute, although the sight of David Bellion replacing him was not a likely one. A month ago the young striker returned home to France while Sunderland accused Manchester United of making an illegal approach for him. Before he had a chance to display his talents, however, Sunderland were 1-0 down. The penalty award seemed harsh enough, drawing a storm of protest from McAteer and the rest of the Sunderland players. The decision to have it retaken, though, had the natives howling in outrage.

"One-nil to the referee," the Sunderland fans chanted. It might have been different. In a frantic finish, Phillips squandered two clear chances, Micah Hyde chested a Jody Craddock header off the line and Chamberlain tipped over a header by Michael Proctor. It was Watford and their 3,000 celebrating supporters who were left dreaming of FA Cup glory revisited.

Sunderland 0 Watford 1
T Smith pen 65

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 26,916