Middlesbrough became the first team to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow Premiership strugglers Everton today.
Three goals in seven minutes towards the end of the first-half gave 'Boro a commanding 3-0 interval lead with Noel Whelan, Slovakian striker Szilard Nemeth and former England star Paul Ince all finding the target.
The home side were gifted the opening goal in the 35th minute when Everton goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and Alessandro Pistone collided to give Whelan an empty goal to aim at.
Everton were still reeling when Croatian international Alen Boksic saw his shot deflected onto the crossbar into the path of Nemeth who headed home from a yard out to make it 2-0.
Three minutes from the break Ince, who had been abused by Everton's fans for his time spent at Merseyside rivals Liverpool, silenced the travelling support by notching the third after Simonsen had parried Boksic's shot.
Later today London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea meet in a repeat of the League Cup semi-final while West Bromwich Albion play Fulham.
On Saturday Newcastle and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at St James's Park and must replay at Highbury on March 23rd.
AFP