(AP)
It promises to be a wonderful weekend of FA Cup football with a number of fascinating fourth round ties.
The lunchtime kick-offs see European champions Chelsea host League One outfit Plymouth Argyle, as well as non-league Kidderminster entertaining the Premier League’s West Ham. Kiddy can be seen most weekends in the sixth-tier National League North and were forced to start this season’s competition in the second qualifying round stage, meaning Russell Penn’s side have had to negotiate six matches to reach this stage.
Steven Schumacher’s Pilgrims travel to Stamford Bridge after upsetting Birmingham in the third round, while Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will hope to make it third time lucky in the cup after being upset in back-to-back finals to Arsenal and Leicester, despite rebounding to lift their second European Cup days later. Chesterfield were thrashed last time out at the Bridge, underlining the task that Plymouth face this afternoon.
“It’s a bit daunting to be honest,” Schumacher told BBC Sport. “I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be a difficult afternoon, but I just want to embrace it and enjoy it as best as possible. I was in St George’s Park on my pro licence and immediately went ‘yes’ when we got Chelsea away and then thought ‘oh my God, we’re going up against the European champions away from home’. You’ve got to try and enjoy it, put a plan together for your team and go there and give it your all.”
Follow live minute-by-minute updates from both cup ties, plus build-up, team news, analysis and reaction below:
ET Kidderminster 1 – 1 West Ham
96 mins: Omari Sterling slowly dribbles into West Ham’s half and has limited options in front of him. The Hammers are slow to close him down so decides to have a go from range. He’s about 30-yards out and laces it narrowly over the crossbar.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:32
ET Chelsea 1 – 1 Plymouth
95 mins: Looking at the stats from Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have had 36 shots with nine on target compared to Plymouth’s seven and three. It’s just not falling for the Blues.
Mason Mount drives towards the Plymouth box and drills one from 25-yards only to send it wide of goal.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:30
ET Kidderminster 1 – 1 West Ham
93 mins: Pablo Fornals crosses the ball into the box from the right wing and targets Andriy Yarmolenko. He shoots on the spin and has the effort deflected behind for a corner.
The corner is headed out to Bowen who shoots from outside the box and pulls it wide of the near post.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:28
ET Kidderminster 1 – 1 West Ham
Kick off: Kidderminster have to dig deep and find something extra now. They were so close to a huge upset but now have another 30 minutes to play. They started to look tired towards the end of the 90 and have to find some reserves and hopefully take this game to penalties.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:26
Full-time: Kidderminster 1 – 1 West Ham, Chelsea 1 – 1 Plymouth
90+3 mins: Drama all round! Both early kick offs have gone to extra-time. Plymouth held out against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Declan Rice rescued West Ham in stoppage time against Kidderminster!
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:23
GOAL! Kidderminster 1 – 1 West Ham (Rice, 90+1’)⚽️
90+1 mins: West Ham are level! It’s a cruel blow for Kidderminster but a lovely goal from the Hammers. They bring the ball down the left side and draw out Alex Penny. Declan Rice makes a run into the box and receives the ball. He checks to the right and smokes and powerful shot into the back of the net! No chance for Luke Simpson to keep that one out.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:20
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
90 mins: Three minutes of added time at Aggborough Stadium. Kidderminster are defending for their lives. West Ham are camped on the edge of the penalty area, whipping in crosses for fun.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:19
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
88 mins: Bowen tries to run around Sterling and the two players come together. Bowen goes down looking for a free kick but he doesn’t get one and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.
Kidderminster are on the brink of a fantastic victory…
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:18
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
86 mins: What a save! Luke Simpson you hero! This is lovely play from Benrahma. He dribbles his way into the box and shakes off a couple of defenders. He knocks it to Bowen who returns the pass with Benrahma in space at the near post. He shoots but Simpson sticks out a left hand, stops the shot and then smothers it. Has he just sent his team into the fifth round with that save?
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:16
Chelsea 1 – 1 Plymouth
84 mins: Timo Werner is on for Chelsea, he joins Lukaku, Havertz, Mount and Ziyech in the forward line but none of them can find a way past Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper.
He’s having an exceptional day out at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 14:14
