Crawley 0-2 Stoke
Crawley may be making huge strides to promotion but (the universally disliked club, for various reasons -many stemming from the jealousy surrounding their financial backing and success) got out muscled and maneuvered by a 10-man Stoke team. Although Stoke aren't admired for their style of play Tony Pulis gets results, and gets the best out of his players. It's another quarter final for them on the back of a Europa League game, and I'm sure Pulis will have an eye on another FA Cup final appearance. For Crawley it's another game and defeat against premeirship opposition in the Cup and a great experience and lesson for the club with the aspirations to play in the top flight week-in week-out.Stevenage 0-0 Tottenham
Harry Redknapp was pleased to come out of this game still in the competition. Gary Smith on the other hand knows that the task of getting a result in the replay at White Hart Lane massively effects Borough's chances of an upset. That being said, Smith, - the former Colorado Rapids head coach, will be more than happy with his teams performance and the fact he's back involved in the English game and the great old FA cup. Smith and the Stevenage players will draw confidence from the fact they stopped the Spurs front line from getting on the scoresheet, something not many premiership teams have been able to do this season, but will know that the replay promises to be a different story. Spurs will want to take care of Crawley before taking on Bolton in the next round, which they'll be favourites for, and probably short odds to reach Wembley.
Liverpool 6-1 Brighton
Kenny Dalglish has been saying his team would 'batter' someone for a while. Gus Poyet the Seagulls manager and outspoken Luis Suarez fan saw his team do eveything in their power to help Liverpool score and eventaully 'batter' them. 3 own goals, including a brace from Liam Bridcutt (something many thought only Jamie Carragher was capable of) saw Liverpool through easily. For the Reds seeing Carrol, Gerrard and Suarez on the pitch together and working in tandem, creating chances and goals will fill fans with hope, even the performance of Stewart Downing was bright. All that being said, this was Brighton, and their defending at times was, according to gaffa Poyet, "comical". Liverpool fans will want to get back to Wembley again this season after their Carling Cup final this coming weekend.
Everton 2-0 Blackpool
This game was over nearly as quickly as it had started. Royston Drenthe scored after 49 seconds and then the dangerous looking Denis Stracqualursi added a second six minutes later. Ian Holloway knows that if he gets his Blackpool side promoted this season he will have to add quality and concentration to have any chance of survival. The more important game for Olly and his team's season will be Tuesday night against West Ham.
Millwall 0-2 Bolton
This result just shows that the Den is a more nerve wracking experience for fans than players. Millwall has a reputation for being a difficult and hard place to go and play, but Bolton found it relatively easy against the Championship side, and given their home form this season probably enjoyed the freedom of playing away from home. The Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyaichi got some of the headlines with his decent goal, but that is more to do with the fact he's from a struggling Arsenal camp than anything, because the other goal scorer was ex-Liverpool man David Ngog so Millwall's defence can't have been up to much if the lanky Frenchman was on the scoresheet.
Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal
This wasn't a shock to anyone. Even though the Gunners had travelled to the Stadium of Light the previous week and beaten the Maccams in the league they were out played and deservedly beaten in this FA cup game. The pressure is on Arsene Wenger more than ever after this result especially coming so shortly after their turgid performance against Milan in the Champions League mid-week. Sunderland are flying under Martin O'Neill and have now won 10 of their last 15 matches, something Arsene Wenger would love to be able to produce from his side for the remainder of the season, but after their last few games looks very unlikely. The Gooners need to turn their season around and quick, and if it was me I'd rather have O'Neill as my boss, motivator and inspiration than the tired looking Wenger, and I think, crucially, some Arsenal fans would too.
Norwich 1-2 Leicester
This was the most entertaining game of the round with both teams statistically close in shots on goal, corners and chances created. Paul Lambert will be disappointed that his team didn't get the result at home but there is no shame in losing such a close game to the Championship side riddled with ex-Premiership players. Lambert's and Norwich's primary concern is the league and their survival. Norwich fans knew this coming into the game and despite the loss will be more than happy with how their season is panning out. The traveling Leicester fans will hope Nigel Pearson can get this expensively assembled squad in to the Premiership to face Norwich, who will surely still be there, next season.
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