Stoke City easily avoided joining the growing list of famous FA Cup casualties as fine goals from Bojan Krkic and Victor Moses inspired a 4-1 win at Rochdale in the fourth round on Monday.
Mark Hughes’ side traveled to Spotland hoping to ensure there was no repeat of the stunning scenes that saw third-tier Bradford City win at English Premier League leaders Chelsea and Championship team Middlesbrough shock reigning English champions Manchester City on Saturday.
With Manchester United held by Cambridge United and Liverpool unable to beat Bolton Wanderers, this year’s fourth round had already thrown up a series of remarkable results, but Stoke, now the fifth-highest ranked team left in the FA Cup, subdued their League One opponents to set up a fifth round tie at second-tier Blackburn Rovers.
Photo: Reuters
Former Barcelona forward Bojan put Stoke ahead with an superb swerving volley in the fourth minute and even though he was forced off with an injury soon after, there was never any sign of City losing their grip on the match.
Bojan’s replacement Stephen Ireland doubled Stoke’s lead in the 52nd minute when he was left unmarked to steer in a cross from Moses.
Just nine minutes later, Nigerian winger Moses effectively ended the tie as he tricked his way past Rochdale’s Joe Rafferty before curling a brilliant finish into the far corner.
Photo: Reuters
Rhys Bennett got one back for Rochdale, sweeping home from inside the penalty area after the Potters twice failed to clear their lines in the 78th minute, but Jon Walters tapped in from close range in stoppage-time to seal Stoke’s progress to the round-of-16.
In the fifth round, Bradford will have the opportunity to spring another surprise after the giant killers were drawn against Sunderland or Fulham.
WARY
Top-flight Sunderland and second-tier Fulham, who replay next week after a goalless draw on Saturday, will both be wary of suffering the same fate as Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
League Cup finalists two years ago, Bradford last faced Sunderland in a 3-0 defeat in December 2003, while they have to go back to 1994 to find their last meeting with Fulham, which ended in a goalless draw.
If Manchester United can get past fourth-tier Cambridge in their replay they will travel to the winners of Preston North End and Sheffield United, while holders Arsenal host Middlesbrough, the Championship high-flyers who won at Manchester City on Saturday.
MIDLANDS DERBY
Liverpool and Bolton replay for the right to go to Crystal Palace, while Leicester City and Aston Villa meet in an all-Premier League affair.
West Bromwich Albion face West Ham United at home, while Derby County play host to Reading in an all-Championship tie.
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