Palace knock Spurs out of FA Cup

Chelsea, West Ham sails thru

AFP, LONDON: London sides Chelsea and West Ham both reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday as city rivals Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out by fellow capital club Crystal Palace.
Martin Kelly was Palace’s unlikely hero at White Hart Lane as his first goal for the south London side — and first for anyone since he scored 1,545 days previously for Liverpool at Chelsea in November 2011 --  on the stroke of half-time proved the difference.
Palace’s reward was a quarter-final away to second-tier Reading, a club once managed by Eagles boss Alan Pardew.
Chelsea, who beat an under-strength Manchester City 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, are away to Everton in a repeat of the 2009 FA Cup final which the Blues won during current caretaker boss Guus Hiddink’s first spell as interim manager.
West Ham, who in Sunday’s opening fifth round tie saw off Championship Blackburn Rovers 5-1, will travel to the winners of Monday’s tie between third-tier Shrewsbury Town and struggling Manchester United.
Meanwhile holders Arsenal, bidding to become the first club to win the FA Cup three years in a row since the 19th Century, must see off Hull in a replay following Saturday’s goalless draw at the Emirates if they are to face Watford in next month’s quarter-finals.
Tottenham, second in the Premier League, had earlier seen Dele Alli twice hit the post with the same shot and this loss ended their hopes of emulating the celebrated League and Cup ‘double’ winning Spurs team of 1960/61.
Pardew, a member of the Eagles’ side that lost the 1990 final and West Ham manager when they lost to Liverpool in the 2006 showpiece match, was delighted by his team’s resilience.
Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea, a huge 20 points behind shock leaders Leicester, overwhelmed City.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini made good on his promise to field an under-strength side after the FA bowed to demands from broadcasters to move the game from Saturday.
Pellegrini’s side are away to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday and then take on Liverpool in the League Cup final a week on Sunday.
“We are forced to do it,” said the Chilean of his team selection. “I think that if we play on Saturday it’s better for us because we have to play for England in the Champions League.”
Chelsea went ahead through Diego Costa’s 35th-minute header but City’s David Faupala equalised two minutes later.
Willian made it 2-1 to Chelsea early in the second half before Gary Cahill’s volley extended the Blues’ lead.
The under-fire Eden Hazard put the result beyond doubt with a 67th-minute free-kick.
Oscar then had a penalty saved before substitute Bertrand Traore added a fifth goal late on.
But Chelsea’s win was marred by some of their fans throwing coins onto the pitch as visitors City celebrated Faupala’s equaliser.
It was the second coin-throwing incident of this FA Cup weekend after West Bromwich Albion defender Chris Brunt was struck by a coin thrown by his own fans following their shock 3-1 loss at Reading on Saturday.
Earlier Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike and France’s Dimitri Payet both scored twice as West Ham came from a goal behind to beat Blackburn.
Ben Marshall put Rovers ahead in the 20th minute but West Ham equalised just six minutes through Victor Moses.

 

Palace knock Spurs out of FA Cup

Chelsea, West Ham sails thru

AFP, LONDON: London sides Chelsea and West Ham both reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday as city rivals Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out by fellow capital club Crystal Palace. Martin Kelly was Palaces unlikely hero at White Hart Lane as his first goal for the south London side and first for anyone since he scored 1,545 days previously for Liverpool at Chelsea in November 2011 -- on the stroke of half-time proved the difference. Palaces reward was a quarter-final away to second-tier Reading, a club once managed by Eagles boss Alan Pardew. Chelsea, who beat an under-strength Manchester City 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, are away to Everton in a repeat of the 2009 FA Cup final which the Blues won during current caretaker boss Guus Hiddinks first spell as interim manager. West Ham, who in Sundays opening fifth round tie saw off Championship Blackburn Rovers 5-1, will travel to the winners of Mondays tie between third-tier Shrewsbury Town and struggling Manchester United. Meanwhile holders Arsenal, bidding to become the first club to win the FA Cup three years in a row since the 19th Century, must see off Hull in a replay following Saturdays goalless draw at the Emirates if they are to face Watford in next months quarter-finals. Tottenham, second in the Premier League, had earlier seen Dele Alli twice hit the post with the same shot and this loss ended their hopes of emulating the celebrated League and Cup double winning Spurs team of 1960/61. Pardew, a member of the Eagles side that lost the 1990 final and West Ham manager when they lost to Liverpool in the 2006 showpiece match, was delighted by his teams resilience. Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea, a huge 20 points behind shock leaders Leicester, overwhelmed City. City manager Manuel Pellegrini made good on his promise to field an under-strength side after the FA bowed to demands from broadcasters to move the game from Saturday. Pellegrinis side are away to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday and then take on Liverpool in the League Cup final a week on Sunday. We are forced to do it, said the Chilean of his team selection. I think that if we play on Saturday its better for us because we have to play for England in the Champions League. Chelsea went ahead through Diego Costas 35th-minute header but Citys David Faupala equalised two minutes later. Willian made it 2-1 to Chelsea early in the second half before Gary Cahills volley extended the Blues lead. The under-fire Eden Hazard put the result beyond doubt with a 67th-minute free-kick. Oscar then had a penalty saved before substitute Bertrand Traore added a fifth goal late on. But Chelseas win was marred by some of their fans throwing coins onto the pitch as visitors City celebrated Faupalas equaliser. It was the second coin-throwing incident of this FA Cup weekend after West Bromwich Albion defender Chris Brunt was struck by a coin thrown by his own fans following their shock 3-1 loss at Reading on Saturday. Earlier Nigerias Emmanuel Emenike and Frances Dimitri Payet both scored twice as West Ham came from a goal behind to beat Blackburn. Ben Marshall put Rovers ahead in the 20th minute but West Ham equalised just six minutes through Victor Moses.