Premier League Manchester City and Chelsea claimed big victories in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Chelsea progressed into the fifth round of the competition with a 4-0 victory over London rivals Brentford in their fourth round replay.
Chelsea took the lead on 54 minutes. Spanish international Juan Mata fired home from 20 yards to put the Blues into the lead.
The home side doubled their lead on 68 minutes, Oscar producing a superb back-heeled finish from close-range, after good work from Eden Hazard.
Veteran midfielder Frank Lampard scored the third with a tap-in on 71 minutes from a Juan Mata cross. Captain John Terry headed home the third goal on 81 minutes from an Oscar cross to confirm a comfortable victory for Rafa Benitez’s side.
Manchester City moved into the quarter-finals of the competition with an empathic 4-0 victory over Championship side Leeds at the Etihad Stadium. City took the lead after just five minutes. Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Yaya Toure combined superbly and the latter strolled past the Leeds defence and stroked the ball past Jamie Ashdown.
The home side were two goals up on 15 minutes; Sergio Aguero scoring from the penalty spot after the Argentinian was brought down in the penalty box by Leeds defender Tommy Lees. City made it 3-0 on 52 minutes, striker Carlos Tevez scoring from close range with his knee.
Aguero completed the rout on 74 minutes, scoring at the far post to send City through with a comfortable. The victory will take the pressure off City boss Roberto Mancini for the time being.
Elsewhere, Premier League Wigan won 4-1 at Championship Huddersfield. Young attacker Callum McManaman opened the scoring on the half hour mark. James McArthur and Arouna Kone added further goals, before Lee Novak got a goal back for the Terriers. Kone confirmed victory for the Latics with a late goal.
Quarter-final draw:
Oldham or Everton vs. Wigan
Manchester City vs. Barnsley
Manchester United or Reading vs. Middlesbrough or Chelsea
Millwall vs. Blackburn
Did getting through to the quarter-finals save Roberto Mancini’s job?