Manchester United were made to work hard for a 2-1 FA Cup fourth round win at Southampton on a day when holders Chelsea were grateful to an equaliser from Salomon Kalou to stay in the competition.
Michael Owen equalised for United with a close-range header early in the second half and then before Javier Hernández scored the decisive goal 15 minutes from time after being played in by a great Ryan Giggs’ pass.
Chelsea, who defeated Everton in the FA Cup two years ago, fell behind to Everton when Louis Saha headed in a Leighton Baines’s corner. The lead lasted all of 13 minutes, however, as substitute Salomon Kalou slotted past Tim Howard. Everton than spent the rest of the second half camped out in the Chelsea end, but several fine saves from Petr Cech kept Chelsea in the Cup and send both teams back to Stamford Bridge in 10 days for the replay.
Birmingham City, who reached the Carling Cup final in midweek, were two goals down at home to Championship side Coventry City. Then David Bentley started the recovery with his first goal since joining on loan from Spurs, before goals from Stuart Parnaby and Kevin Phillips end the Sky Blues FA Cup dreams.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa’s good run of form continued as they beat Blackburn Rovers FC 3-1, Bolton and Wigan drew 0-0 while Crawley Town FC became the first non-league team to reach the fifth round in 17 years thanks to their 1-0 victory at Torquay United.
