Robbie Keane scored two stunning volleys and substitute Dimitar Berbatov grabbed a brace as Tottenham Hotspur marched into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 4-0 victory at Fulham on Sunday.
Manchester City joined them in the last eight with a 3-1 win at Preston North End, a win that owed much to two late goals.
At Craven Cottage, two pieces of magic from Keane and two late strikes from Berbatov were too much for a valiant Fulham side as Spurs advanced in style. Fulham's misery was completed when Vincenzo Montella was sent off late on.
First, the Republic of Ireland striker ran on to a flick off the head of his strike-partner, Mido, and lashed the ball into the net after just five minutes.
Then, with 23 minutes remaining, the second goal was an almost exact replica as Mido again flicked the ball into Keane's path and then smashed another volley from the edge of the area.
Berbatov then made it three just nine minutes later, reacting first after his initial shot had cannoned off the post.
And the striker completed the rout with the fourth in the last minute of normal time. This time Keane turned provider, flicking the ball into his path and Berbatov lobbed the ball over the Fulham goalkeeper.
In the day's other match, Manchester City came through a tough match away to Preston North End, with the two late goals giving the scoreline a flattering feel.
Championship side Preston took a shock lead after just eight minutes when David Nugent scored from close range after a header from Michael Ricketts's header was only palmed away by Nicky Weaver, the City goalkeeper.
Michael Ball equalized 10 minutes before half-time, firing in after Bernardo Corradi had hit the post.
Both teams huffed and puffed but it looked like a replay was on the cards until Georgios Samaras put City ahead with a shot that took a deflection off Matthew Hill (84) and Stephen Ireland sealed the win with a superb volley in the last minute.
"It was never easy especially when we went a goal down. We were patient and we didn't lose our shape or chase the game," City manager Stuart Pearce said.
"We deserved to win the game and we played well in patches without ever keeping any consistency. We didn't give them too many chances on our goal and we stuck at it," he said.
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