Soccer-Relief for West Ham and Chelsea as they flirt with shock FA Cup exits

KIDDERMINSTER, England (Reuters) - West Ham United and Chelsea both narrowly avoided ignominious FA Cup exits with narrow wins against lower-league opposition but Everton marked Frank Lampard's first game in charge by sauntering past Brentford into the fifth round on Saturday.

A day devoid of shocks also had Premier League leaders Manchester City crush second-tier Fulham 4-1 while relegation strugglers Norwich City enjoyed a morale-boosting 1-0 win at top-flight rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After Middlesbrough's incredible penalty shoot-out win at 12-time winners Manchester United on Friday, the stage was set for sixth-tier Kidderminster Harriers to supply some FA Cup magic as they hosted high-flying West Ham United.

And how close they came.

Kidderminster led for 72 minutes thanks to Alex Penny's side-footed goal in the 19th minute but with one of the great FA Cup shocks brewing, Declan Rice levelled in stoppage time.

Then, as penalties loomed at the end of extra time, Jarrod Bowen broke Kidderminster's hearts to earn West Ham a 2-1 win.

It was cruel on the side 121 places below West Ham in the standings and visiting manager David Moyes, while delighted at his side's let-off, reserved some sympathy for the minnows.

"In truth I think Kidderminster deserved the opportunity to take it to penalty kicks," Moyes said.

"Kidderminster were excellent today, they prepared well for us. They've had games when we haven't so we should have come into it as the fresher team but they looked more ready for the whole situation."

Kidderminster manager Russell Penn said his side had put their "heart and soul" into the game.

"Of course we're disappointed by the timing of the goals, but I couldn't be any more proud," he said.

Chelsea did