Cup joy for Chelsea and Tottenham

Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC booked their places in the quarter-finals of the English FA Cup on Sunday, but Everton FC were held by Crewe Alexandra FC.

Early goal
Goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Mikael Forssell cancelled out Richard Cresswell's early effort for Preston North End FC and secured Chelsea's berth in the last eight in a hard-fought 2-1 home victory. Preston, tenth in the first division table, took the advantage after just nine minutes when Cresswell rose highest to head down past a helpless Carlo Cudicini in the hosts' goal.

Simple finish
Gudjonsson brought the Stamford Bridge crowd to life seven minutes later with a simple finish from four metres after an electric turn of pace from Haaselbaink caused panic in the Preston defence.

Late third
Chelsea then went in front midway through the first half when Haaselbaink beat Preston goalkeeper Teuvo Moilanen with a low, angled strike from just inside the penalty area. Chances came and went for both sides during the second period and neither team looked likely to score until Forssell collected a superb pass from substitute Joe Keenan and curled his injury-time effort beyond Moilanen.

Tottenham through
Tottenham also emerged victorious from their encounter with lower-league opposition, beating Tranmere Rovers FC 4-0 at White Hart Lane. German international Christian Ziege put the hosts on track for a cup double this season when he scored with a low drive after nine minutes. Tottenham, already through to the final of the League Cup, doubled their advantage ten minutes before half-time as Gustavo Poyet made it 2-0 with a neat finish.

Sheringham on target
Teddy Sheringham then gave Tottenham a three-goal cushion with a simple tap-in past John Achterberg, before Poyet completed their second division opponents' misery with a well-taken fourth goal.

Everton held
FA Premiership side Everton were held to a goalless draw by Crewe and face a replay against the first division outfit if they are to join Tottenham and Chelsea. David Wright hit the Everton crossbar in the latter stages to keep the Goodison Park faithful on the edge of their seats but clear-cut chances were at a premium. Despite facing the likes of David Ginola and Paul Gascoigne, Crewe matched their hosts and earned a replay at Gresty Road on 26 February.

Newcastle through
In Sunday's late match, a goal from Nolberto Solano ensured a 1-0 win for Newcastle United FC at home against Manchester City FC. The visitors played for an hour with ten men after Richard Dunne was sent off for a professional foul on Craig Bellamy. First division City finished the stronger of the two sides, despite their numerical disadvantage.