Reading have plenty in reserve

Wenger says no more replays anymore

Blues close the gap

—– Having received extensive criticism for fielding a so-called weakened team, Reading justify their point by earning a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Manchester United.
Similarly, United select a changed team to recent Premiership games but the closely fought contest appears to prove Royals manager Steve Coppell’s belief that he has assembled a strong squad, not just a strong starting XI.
Having lost 2-6 at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the season, Blackburn Rovers get their tactics spot on as they come away from Arsenal with a goalless draw so becoming the first team to come away from the London giant’s new home with a clean sheet.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger vents his frustration by undermining the traditions of the FA Cup by calling for an end to replays. As he looks forward to the trip to Ewood Park (their 46th match of the season), the Gunners boss doesn’t exactly do the East Lancashire Tourist Board a favour: “That [scrapping replays] would mean sacrificing something that is part of the tradition of the English game, so we have to adapt. Blackburn, from a tourist’s point of view, is not a great place to go and it’s a game we didn’t need.”
Chelsea avoid the possibility of upsetting the Norfolk Tourist Board as they beat Norwich City 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray is given a terrific reception on his return to Middlesbrough. The Boro legend’s team do him proud as the Baggies earn a replay with a 2-2 draw at the Riverside.
The luck that has deserted Watford in the Premiership appears to be being repaid in the FA Cup as they sneak past Ipswich Town 1-0 at Vicarage Road.
The only non-Premiership club definitely through to the quarter-finals is Plymouth Argyle. They beat Championship leaders Derby County 2-0 at Home Park.

—– Derby’s lead in the Championship is down to three points after Birmingham City win 1-0 at Crystal Palace as Blues boss Steve Bruce once again runs the gauntlet on his return to Selhurst Park.
Southampton continue their challenge with a 5-2 win against Barnsley at St Mary’s while Sunderland’s rise under Roy Keane continues as the Black Cats move up to a season-high of 5th after a 4-0 win against Southend United at the Stadium of Light.
Cardiff City continue their revival as they beat Leeds United 1-0 at Ninian Park despite finishing the game with only nine men.
The Milan Mandaric era at Leicester City starts in spectacular fashion. The Foxes beat Midlands rivals Coventry City 3-0 at the Walkers Stadium with all three goals coming in the first 30 minutes.

—– Scunthorpe United return to the top of League One as they beat bottom-of-the-table 1-0 at Glanford Park.
They replace Oldham Athletic who lose 1-2 at home to Millwall. Former Latics’ coach Willie Donachie has now guided the Lions in to the top half of the table after a terrible start to the season.
After their midweek FA Cup exit, Bristol City get their promotion bid back on track with a 1-0 win at Blackpool but Nottingham Forest slip up with a 1-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Cheltenham Town move out of the bottom four as Damien Spencer’s last minute strike gives them a 1-0 win against fellow strugglers AFC Bournemouth at Whaddon Road.

—– With leaders Walsall beaten 1-2 at home by Lincoln City last night, they are joined on 64 points by Hartlepool United at the top of League Two after their 1-0 win at bottom club Torquay United.
Stockport County post their best post-war sequence of results as their 1-0 victory at Accrington Stanley is their seventh league win in a row. It’s also seven games without conceding a goal - they are the first seven games of on-loan keeper Wayne Hennessey’s senior career.