FA Cup review: Having seemingly got their season back on track with a win over Chelsea at the weekend, Liverpool were thrown back into chaos by an extra-time goal from Everton youngster Dan Gosling in a frenetic derby that saw Steven Gerrard limp off with a hamstring injury.
Everton will now meet Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup but Rafael Benitez, with a title push and the Champions League on the horizon, must concern himself with the fitness of his captain and the condition of star striker Fernando Torres, whose performance was lethargic at best.
The night, though, belonged to the man who turns 19 this week, after his curling right-footed effort two minutes from time sunk his side’s greatest rivals.
Liverpool had Lucas Leiva sent off with 14 minutes remaining in normal time for a second bookable offence but the visitors could just not hold on for spot-kicks.
John Carew scored on his first start for three months as Aston Villa reached the fifth round for only the second time in nine years.
The Norway international struck for the eighth time this season, proving his fitness after a lengthy lay-off with a back problem.
Steve Sidwell and Nathan Delfouneso were also on the mark for Martin O’Neill’s drastically changed team, with Jason Price netting a consolation effort for visitors Doncaster.
But the Coca-Cola Championship side could be proud of their efforts and attempted to play constructive football from the first to the final whistle.
Villa will just be happy to be through to the next round after resting star names like Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, James Milner and Brad Friedel ahead of the weekend Barclays Premier League clash at Blackburn.
Benni McCarthy stepped off the bench to steer Blackburn into the fifth round and set up a home tie with Coventry.
The South African striker got the vital goal with three minutes of extra-time remaining when he headed home a free-kick from Carlos Villanueva.
Northern Ireland's David Healy had given Sunderland a perfect start by opening the scoring in the seventh minute, only for Aaron Mokoena to equalise 30 minutes later.
Kris Commons’ goal settled an enthralling FA Cup fourth-round replay between east midlands rivals Nottingham Forest and Derby to ensure a winning return to the City Ground for Nigel Clough.
Former Forest winger Commons sent the Rams through to a last-16 tie at home to Manchester United later this month with a deflected second-half effort.
Derby had seemed down and out when they quickly fell two goals behind.
Chris Cohen gave the Reds a dream start with a goal after only 60 seconds before Nathan Tyson doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute.
Rob Hulse halved Derby’s deficit with a well-placed header as the half-hour mark approached and another header from Paul Green restored parity before Commons struck in the 74th minute.
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