Sheffield Wednesday, who survived the last 95 minutes with 10 men after the first-half dismissal of their temperamental Italian striker Paolo Di Canio, finally banished the challenge of Watford 5-3 on penalties last night.
Wednesday's goalkeeper Kevin Pressman, who saved from Micah Hyde, smashed in the decisive penalty to secure a home fourth-round tie against Blackburn Rovers.
In comparison to a non-descript first 90 minutes, extra-time was nirvana. Watford finished the stronger and struck the bar through Jason Lee, who had another shot saved by Pressman. Wednesday's striker Andy Booth escaped an offside flag for a clear run at goal but drummed the ball straight at Alec Chamberlain when Petter Rudi was alongside him for a tap-in.
Di Canio's dismissal for dissent in the 25th minute was a masterpiece of melodrama, an infantile display of petulant arm-waving that deserves the offer of a contract with an international dancing school.
His failure to win a throw deep in Watford's half caused him to gesture outlandishly at a linesman. When the referee Gary Willard intervened to brandish a yellow card, Di Canio switched to a new dancing partner and an intemperate routine that merited castanets in either hand.
Willard predictably pocketed the yellow card in favour of the red, whereupon Di Canio seemed to fan the flames of an imaginary Sambuca. He flounced off to the bench past his manager Ron Atkinson and needed several minutes' persuasion from Wednesday staff before comprehending Atkinson's gesture that he might like to return to the dressing-room.
Wednesday could hardly have begun more sluggishly, but Di Canio's departure, quickly followed by a Watford breakaway which almost brought a goal for Paul Robinson, spurred them into life. Twice in a second they struck the woodwork, Graham Hyde's drive rebounding from the post for Booth to slam the ball against the bar.
Fortunately for an under-par Wednesday, Watford offered little. Pressman would have been well aware of the chillness of the night, the second half reaching its mid-point before Gifton Noel-Williams brought him to his knees for his first save.
Afterwards, Watford manager Graham Taylor said Hyde, who missed his side's second penalty, had been inconsolable after the sudden-death drama.
"Unfortunately Micah has taken the brunt because of the penalty save, but he's got to be in tomorrow afternoon as we have an important game against Preston on Saturday. I'll give him until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon to get over his disappointment."
Wednesday manager Ron Atkinson said: "Considering the odds stacked against us I thought our lads gave a committed display, and overall we earned the win. The boys who stayed on the pitch were magnificent."
Sheffield Wednesday: Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pembridge, Newsome, Walker (Humphreys 98), Booth, Di Canio, Hyde, Rudi, Alexandersson (Oakes 117). Subs not used: Whittingham, Clarke, Magilton. Sent off: Di Canio (26).
Watford: Chamberlain, Gibbs, Kennedy, Palmer, Millen, Mooney, Noel-Williams (Thomas 91), Hyde, Lee, Johnson, Robinson. Subs not used: Easton, Day, Lowndes, Ward. Booked: Hyde, Millen, Johnson.
Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).
