Norwich City came from behind to beat Bristol Rovers 3-1 in their FA Cup third-round replay, earning a fourth-round trip to Liverpool in the process.
The hosts started the better of the sides, with City’s only shot on target a tame effort from Onel Hernandez.
The Pirates then made their dominance count in the 20th minute, Luke McCormick’s low volley sending a packed home crowd into raptures.
Luke Thomas had a golden chance to make it two on the brink of half-time, but left the Norfolk side thankful to be just one behind when he dragged well wide.
David Wagner’s side emerged for the second half with greater intensity, however, and were level within eight minutes of the restart. Gabriel Sara was the goalscorer, tapping the rebound in after Sam McCallum hit the post.
Adam Idah then had the chance to make it 2-1 when Jonathan Rowe was bundled over in the area, sneaking his penalty beyond Matthew Cox despite a touch from the Rovers goalkeeper.
Kenny McLean sealed the victory late on, firing in from distance to make it three.
The Canaries will have to recover quickly from long trip south-west, with West Brom set to visit Carrow Road on Saturday and a midweek meeting with Leeds coming up next Wednesday.
BRISTOL ROVERS:
Substitutes:
35. Hall (GK)
3. Gordon
7. Sinclair (on for Collins, 79)
9. Marquis (on for Finley, 79)
20. Brown
28. Gibbons
30. Hoole
37. Shaw
42. Hunt (on for McCormick, 68)
Manager: Matt Taylor
Bookings:
Goals: McCormick (20)
NORWICH CITY
Substitutes:
1. Gunn (GK)
50. Ansen (GK)
7. Sainz (on for Hernandez, 64)
8. Gibbs
10. Barnes (on for Idah, 64)
16. Fassnacht (on for Rowe, 64)
20. Placheta
26. Nunez (on for Batth, 27)
35. Fisher (on for Stacey, 90+3)
Head Coach: David Wagner
Bookings: Rowe (61)
Goals: Sara (53), Idah (pen, 59), McLean (87)
KEY MOMENTS
5 - Hernandez cuts in and shoots, but his game effort rolls harmlessly to the goalkeeper.
20 - GOAL ROVERS (McCormick): The ball breaks to McCormick on the edge of the box, and he volleys low beyond Long.
40 - McCallum attempts a lob from distance but it’s tipped over the bar.
45+1 - Thomas has a golden chance to make it two, but drags well wide.
Half time: Bristol Rovers 1-0 Norwich City
48 - Long spills Thomas’ shot, but nobody’s there to capitalise.
53 - GOAL NORWICH (Sara): McLean plays the ball through to McCallum, who hits the post with his right-footer. Sara is first to the rebound, however, and taps in from close range.
59 - GOAL NORWICH (Idah pen): Rowe’s bundled over in the area, and Idah dispatches despite Cox’s touch.
62 - Idah is sent through on goal by Sara, but fires his shot straight at Cox.
71 - The ball falls to Martin eight yards out, but he’s denied by a fine Long save.
87 - GOAL NORWICH (McLean): McLean fires in from distance to seal the win for Norwich.
Full time: Bristol Rovers 1-3 Norwich City
PLAYER RATINGS
Long 7, Stacey 6, Batth 5, Gibson 5, McCallum 7, McLean 7, Sorensen 5, Hernandez 6, Sara 6, Rowe 7, Idah 5. Subs: Nunez 7, Fassnacht 5, Sainz 6, Barnes 6.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 45%-55%
Shots: 10-10
On target: 6-6
Corners: 8-6
Fouls: 8-12
Added time: 3 mins/7 mins
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