FA Cup round-up

14 February 2009 16:06
It was a day of draws in the fifth round of the FA Cup with four ties requiring replays, although Chelsea did manage to beat Watford 3-1.[LNB] Blackburn left it late to avoid a shock home defeat against Coventry, while Middlesbrough were held 1-1 by West Ham in Saturday's only all-Premier League match.[LNB]Fulham were pegged back by Swansea at the Liberty Stadium and Sheffield United and Hull City will also have to play again after a 1-1 draw.[LNB]Chelsea were forced to come from behind against Watford at Vicarage Road as they made a positive start to life without Luiz Felipe Scolari.[LNB]New manager Guus Hiddink, sitting alongside Roman Abramovich in the stands, did not see any goals in the first half as Watford withstood an onslaught from the Blues.[LNB]The Hornets then took a surprise lead in the 69th minute when substitute Tamas Priskin raced clear to loft the ball past Petr Cech.[LNB]A huge upset looked to be on the cards but Nicolas Anelka had other ideas and hit a quick-fire hat-trick as Chelsea became the only team to progress to the last eight on Saturday.[LNB]The Frenchman's improvised hook brought Chelsea back on level terms after 75 minutes and a neat header from Ashley Cole's cross made it 2-1.[LNB]Cech had to be alert to keep out Jobi McAnuff before Anelka grabbed his third in stoppage time. [LNB]Blackburn were thumped 4-1 by Coventry in the third round of last year's competition and it looked like history would repeat itself until Christopher Samba's last-gasp goal rescued a 2-2 draw.[LNB]Coventry fell behind after just two minutes as Roque Santa Cruz showed the sort of finishing prowess that made him a big-money target for Manchester City in the transfer window, rifling home a volley from just inside the area.[LNB]However, Chris Coleman's Sky Blues improved as the match went on and equalised just after the hour mark courtesy of Aron Gunnarsson's fabulous strike from distance.[LNB]Things got even better for the visitors 15 minutes later when Michael Doyle rounded off a flowing move by sending a deflected shot beyond Paul Robinson.[LNB]But they were denied a place in the quarter-finals as Samba took advantage of some hesitant defending to score from 12 yards.[LNB]Swansea, flying high in the Championship and on a long unbeaten run, were tipped to cause an upset against a Fulham side that has been prone to travel sickness in the Premier League this season.[LNB]The Swans made a bright start but Fulham took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Garry Monk inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a mistake by goalkeeper Dorus de Vries.[LNB]Fulham's advantage did not last long as Jason Scotland produced an exquisite piece of skill in the 52nd minute to make it 1-1. The Trinidad & Tobago international turned Aaron Hughes on the edge of the box before firing a low shot past Mark Schwarzer.[LNB]Swansea continued to push forward in the closing stages but could not force a winner and they will now resume battle at Craven Cottage. [LNB]Middlesbrough came within seven minutes of a confidence-boosting victory over West Ham but they will now hope to finish the job at The Riverside.[LNB]Stewart Downing broke the deadlock for Boro in the 22nd minute, poking the ball in from close range after West Ham had failed to clear a teasing cross from Gary O'Neil.[LNB]Gareth Southgate's side stayed in front until deep into the second half but they could not cling on as Herita Ilunga headed home Savio's free-kick.[LNB]Sheffield United and Hull both kept their FA Cup dreams alive after playing out a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane.[LNB]The Tigers kept Chelsea at bay for 90 minutes last weekend but were stunned after just seven minutes as Greg Halford headed home David Cotterill's cross.[LNB]Hull drew level in the 34th minute as Andy Dawson's free-kick was nodded in by Kamil Zayatte, but neither side was able to grab a winner in a pulsating second half.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports