Watford stun Sunderland

Smith celebrates scoring the winner for Watford

Sunderland 0-1 Watford

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Watford piled on the agony for Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson as they dumped the Premiership strugglers out of the FA Cup at The Stadium of Light.

Tommy Smith's controversial twice-taken penalty gave the First Division underdogs a battling fifth round victory and their first quarter-final in 15 years.

In the overall context of the game I feel very angry, bitterly disappointed, and cheated in the sense that we didn't deserve that result

Howard Wilkinson

Sunderland were furious when referee Mike Dean ordered Smith's second half spot-kick to be taken again after goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen saved his first effort.

Smith scored at the second attempt to leave Sunderland facing a desperate battle against relegation from the top flight.

FA Cup action in pictures

Sunderland made five changes in the wake of the 4-1 defeat at Spurs - but they made little impact in an uninspired first half.

Sunderland's Phil Babb heads clear

Kevin Phillips should have put Sunderland ahead after nine minutes when Tore Andre Flo's pass sent him clear on goal, but he screwed his finish tamely wide.

Phillips' long-range shot was Sunderland's only other serious effort and Watford took control after the break.

Black Cats boss Wilkinson responded to Watford's dominance with a double substitution on the hour, replacing Julio Arca and Flo with David Bellion and Talal El Karkouri.

But it was Watford who took the lead in controversial style after 65 minutes.

Sunderland will feel they were unlucky, and they were, but our players were full of character, worked hard and got bodies in the way. We were fantastic

Ray Lewington

Referee Dean pointed to the spot after Heidar Helguson was sandwiched by Jody Craddock and Jason McAteer.

Smith's first spot-kick was stopped by Sorensen's legs, but Dean infuriated Sunderland by demanding a re-take because the goalkeeper was off his line.

The Watford striker's second spot-kick was as poor as his first, but sneaked in via Sorensen's hands.

Sunderland were jolted into life and Craddock's header was smuggled off the line by Micah Hyde as Watford were finally under pressure.

Jason McAteer tackles Paolo Vernazza

Watford were finally feeling the heat, and twice Phillips was off target as Sunderland poured foward.

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain was then Watford's hero as he turned substitute Michael Proctor's header over the top in acrobatic fashion.

And in injury-time, Proctor headed Phillips' goal-bound free-kick over the top as Watford celebrated a famous victory.

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Sunderland: Sorensen, Gray, Babb (Proctor 72), Craddock, Wright, Arca (Talal El Karkouri 59), McAteer, Thornton, Kilbane, Phillips, Flo (Bellion 59).
Subs Not Used: Macho, Thirlwell.

Booked: Gray, Craddock.

Watford: Chamberlain, Ardley, Cox, Gayle, Robinson, Nielsen, Vernazza, Hyde, Mahon, Helguson, Tommy Smith (Doyley 86).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Noel-Williams, McNamee, Lee.

Booked: Robinson, Hyde.

Attendance: 26,916.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).