Cup joy for Spurs and Everton

FA Cup review: Rafael van der Vaart's speculative long shot just before halftime sent Tottenham into the FA Cup fifth round with a fortunate 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road tonight. The Dutchman's 25-yard strike eluded Watford keeper Scott Loach to ease nerves after the Championship side dominated the opening stages.

The Premier League high-flyers barely mustered an attack before they took the lead when van der Vaart picked up Kyle Walker's pass three minutes before the interval and rifled home from 25 yards.

Marvin Sordell had previously missed a brace of chances for the home side and Prince Buaben also went close while 18-year-old Irish midfielder Sean Murray impressed in only his second game for the Hornets.

The hosts were almost level on 49 minutes when Murray broke into the box but Carlo Cudicini tipped his shot onto the post and Troy Deeney sent the follow-up wide of an open goal.

That brought Spurs briefly to life and Scott Loach had to push a Kyle Walker header onto the roof of the net at the other end before and van der Vaart curled a sweetly-struck shot onto the crossbar.

Watford cranked up the pressure again on 70 when John Eustace headed a corner onto the upright and Buaben and Mark Yeates both had chances but they could not find an equaliser despite their industry.

Headers from Denis Stracqualursi and Marouane Fellaini sent Evertoninto the fifth round of the FA Cup as they came from behind to beat Fulham.

Danny Murphy gave Fulham a controversial early lead from the penalty spot at Goodison Park but Everton hit back against their Barclays Premier League rivals.

Landon Donovan was twice the provider as Stracqualursi equalised before half-time and Fellaini settled the contest with 17 minutes from time with a fine finish after the American's deep cross.

Everton almost made the game safe with the next attack as Cahill thundered a header against the bar from a Phil Neville cross.

Fulham boss Martin Jol sent on Bobby Zamora for Damien Duff in attempt to change the momentum with just over 10 minutes remaining, but the Toffees held out for a place among the last 16.