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Rooney steals show as giants go on Cup cruise
Wayne Rooney scored two spectacular goals as holders Manchester United reached the fifth round of the FA Cup on a day when the giants of the Premiership hammered home their authority in the world's oldest cup competition.
Rooney made it four goals in five games to seal an emphatic 3-0 victory for United over Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
John O'Shea had opened the scoring with a rare goal after just 10 minutes as the Reds buried the misery of their League Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Chelsea in midweek.
Premiership champions Arsenal also made it through as did Everton, Charlton, Blackburn, Southampton and Newcastle while league leaders Chelsea can also book their place in the fifth round on Sunday when they take on Birmingham.
But it was teenage star Rooney who grabbed the headlines with two pieces of sublime finishing in the second half against Boro.
First the England striker embarrassed goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer by lobbing in from 30 yards out and then scored the third eight minutes from time when he unleashed a right-foot volley from an acute angle.
"The first Rooney goal was precision. They were both marvellous goals," said United manager Alex Ferguson.
"It was a tricky tie as Middlesbrough have a good record at our ground but the players applied themselves very well."
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren admitted that Rooney had made the difference.
"It was always going to be difficult here and we came across a Manchester United side which was very good on the day," he said. "In Wayne Rooney they had the difference on the day. He is a magnificent player."
Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira scored a 53rd-minute penalty after Thierry Henry was fouled in the box by Michael Oakes to put the Gunners on course for a 2-0 against Wolverhampton at Highbury.
Freddie Ljungberg scored his 10th goal of the season on 82 minutes after Henry's fine run to seal victory.
Everton secured a 3-0 win over visitors Sunderland with James Beattie notching his first goal for the club since his transfer from Southampton.
James McFadden gave the hosts the lead in the ninth minute before Beattie stretched the lead on 27 minutes.
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill made it 3-0 after 80 minutes as Everton cruised into the fifth round.
Newcastle showed they can survive without controversial striker Craig Bellamy by beating Coventry 3-1 thanks to goals from Alan Shearer, Shola Ameobi and Celestine Babayaro.
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley admitted that League Two side Yeovil had given them a fright in their tie at The Valley before they emerged 3-2 winners.
"They definitely gave us a fright," said Curbishley. "I think we could have made it easier for ourselves, but overall I think it was a great cup tie and I think the Yeovil fans got a lot out of it, as did their team." A volley from Bryan Hughes on 37 minutes gave Charlton the lead but Yeovil equalised on 44 minutes with a goal from Paul Terry, brother of Chelsea and England defender John. Francis Jeffers put the Addicks ahead again on 51 minutes and Shaun Bartlett made it 3-1 with a fine finish six minutes later before substitute Arron Davies pulled one back for the visitors on 66 minutes. Southampton's new manager Harry Redknapp was left to celebrate a place in the fifth round at the expense of his former club Portsmouth after beanpole striker Peter Crouch hit a controversial 90th-minute winner from the penalty spot. Portsmouth coach Joe Jordan was unimpressed by the referee's decision to award the spot-kick for a handball against defender Matt Taylor after consulting his assistant. "When you see a referee make a decision when he is in a good position before going to speak to his linesman who has put up his flag, then you are going to get emotions," said Jordan. Matthew Oakley had opened the scoring for the Saints after 54 minutes only for Yakubu Aiyegbeni to level from the penalty spot within three minutes after Diomansy Kamara was felled in the area. Marcus Tudgay put Championship side Derby ahead against Premiership side Fulham on 56 minutes before striker Collins John blasted home on 71 minutes to earn his side a replay. Robert Earnshaw grabbed the opener for West Bromwich Albion against Tottenham at The Hawthorns after 17 minutes. But Spurs equalised through Jermain Defoe's penalty after 31 minutes to take the tie to a replay at White Hart Lane. League One side Colchester were never in it against Premiership strugglers Blackburn Rovers who won 3-0 at Ewood Park. Brentford and Hartlepool, also League One sides, drew 0-0 and an Ian Moore brace gave Championship side Burnley -- who took the prized scalp of Liverpool in the previous round -- a 2-0 win over Bournemouth. Nottingham Forest beat Peterborough 1-0, Leicester came from behind to win 2-1 at Reading and West Ham drew 1-1 with Sheffield United at Upton Park. In the two remaining fourth round fixtures to be played on Sunday, Premiership leaders Chelsea host Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge while Bolton travel to League One side Oldham, who beat Manchester City in the last round.
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