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– Emenike and Victor Moses star in a West Ham romp past the second-tier Blackburn to book their place in the quarter-finals
– Chelsea trounced a youthful City side to keep their hope of a trophy this season alive
– Arsenal frustrated and held by Hull City at the Emirates
– In-form Tottenham Hotspur are out of the FA Cup
Naij.com sports reviews the fifth round of the FA Cup which was action packed. Emenike and Victor Moses helped West Ham to quarter-finals while Chelsea trounces a youthful Manchester City and Palace sends Spurs packing, denying them their first FA Cup trophy since 1991.
Arsenal held at the Emirates while Watford are through to the last eight.
Lukaku scored for Everton
Bournemouth 0-2 Everton
The home side started with a verve but squandered the opportunities created or presented to them via a spot-kick, while the visitors started sluggishly, which culminated in a needless hand ball by James M’cCarthy resulting in a penalty award for the home side.
Daniel’s spot-kick was magnificently saved by Joel Robles and spurred the visitors on.
Everton came back from the break revitalised, playing some beautiful football. Roberto Martinez’s side eventually took the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Barkley took aim just outside the left corner of the 18 yard box which flicked off Dan Gosling and over Federici.
Lukaku secured Everton’s progress to the quarter-final draw with an improvised and instinctive strike from Gareth Barry’s back-heel.
Chris Brunt
Reading 3-1 West Brom
Reading went through to the last eight after a sensational comeback from a goal deficit.
The Championship side and last year’s semi-finalist gave a good account of themselves to send the Premiership side to an embarrassing fifth-round exit, despite the visitors fielding a near full-strength side.
West Brom went ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Darren Fletcher’s low cross-shot flew past the despairing dive of Al Habsi.
Reading equalized soon after with a McShane header from Norwood’s precise free-kick. Hector ghosted in at the far post in the 72nd minute to head the home side ahead from another set-piece.
Substitute, Lucas Piazon made the tie safe in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he finished off a splendid teamwork.
The match was later marred by a coin throwing incidence when Chris Brunt was hit in the face, near his left eye as he went to give his shirt to a supporter after the final whistle.
Odion Ighalo for Watford
Watford 1-0 Leeds
Watford started brightly and on top from the get go, winning a string of corners and creating numerous chances.
Leeds were initially outplayed before finding their grooves and momentum to give a good account of their prowess. Leeds were unlucky to be exited from the competition with an own goal.
Ben watson’s deep cross was sliced into his own net by Scott Wootton in comical circumstances to gift the Vicarage road outfit a passage to the quarter-finals.
Guus Hiddink
Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City
Gus Hiddink’s side cruised past a youthful Manchester City side with a lengthy injury list at Stamford Bridge to ease into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The home side had the better of the first half but with just a goal to show for it, however, they showed their class and experience in the second half to trounce Pellegrini’s scratch side.
The usual protagonist, Costa opened the scoring in the first half with a firm header from Hazard’s superb cross before one of the debutants David Faupala promptly cancelled out the opener.
Willian and Cahill scored in quick succession with below-par performances of experienced right-back Zabaleta and goalkeeper Caballero unable to help the cause of their younger colleagues.
Hazard made it four from a free-kick before Bertrand Traore completed the rout and continue Gus Hiddink’s 13th match unbeaten run and the hope of lifting the trophy.
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal head coach
Arsenal 0-0 Hull City
Visiting Hull City denied the Holders the passage to the last eight with a dogged performance, especially by the inspired goalkeeper Jakupovic who made several saves to make the match goalless.
The Cup Holders were left frustrated despite enjoying overwhelming possession of the ball in spite of making nine changes to the side from the side that beat Leicester City last week, but Hull also made 10 alterations to their side from last week’s draw with Brighton.
A replay is the last thing the Gunners want with their busy schedule including involvement and ambition to win the EPL.
Cyrstal Palace player on the ball
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace dashed the hopes of in-form Spurs of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1991 with Martin Kelly’s powerful strike on the stroke of half-time.
The dazzling skill of Wilfred Zaha opened up Tottenham before Kelly thumped a decisive shot into the top corner.
Palace who had never won the FA Cup, put themselves in the hat for the quarter-finals after beating Premier League opposition for the third successive round, having previously knocked out Southampton and Stoke City.
Emenike opens West Ham account with brace
Blackburn 1-5 West Ham
West Ham United eased into the last eight of the FA Cup with a 5-1 thrashing of second-tier Blackburn Rovers.
The second half was one-way traffic. Emmanuel Emenike who produced two astute finishes but denied a hat-trick and Dimitri Payet scored a brace apiece with Victor Moses getting in on the act to overwhelm Rovers who sparked the Premier League team into life by taking the lead in the 20th minute.
Losing a man in the 55th minute for a second bookable offence after a trip on Victor Moses surely did not help the home side’s cause, notwithstanding, West Ham were home and dry with a two-goal lead and playing the better football.
The Hammers lost Cheikhou Kouyate too in the closing stages after he was shown a straight red card for tripping Adam Henley.
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