Chelsea edge Boro 2-0 to set up United showdown
Ramires Moses on target Ibra sinks Marseille again
MIDDLESBROUGH, United Kingdom, Feb 27, (AFP): Holders Chelsea ground out a 2-0 win at second-tier Middlesbrough on Wednesday to set up an FA Cup quarter-final glamour tie at Manchester United.
Second-half goals from Ramires and Victor Moses secured victory at the Riverside Stadium as Chelsea bounced back from Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Manchester City, which had seen them slip to fourth place in the Premier League.
Victory in the fifth-round tie means Chelsea remain on course for what would be a fifth FA Cup title in seven seasons.
Interim manager Rafael Benitez has complained about fixture congestion in recent weeks, but with his side also still in contention in the Europa League, the European champions look set for a busy few weeks.
Chelsea made eight changes to the side beaten by City at the weekend, with Fernando Torres and skipper John Terry both returning to the starting lineup.
Oscar and Moses also came back into the team and they almost combined to break the deadlock in the 11th minute, but Oscar could not get enough purchase on his shot from his teammate’s cut-back.
Chelsea started authoritatively but as the first half wore on, Middlesbrough came back into the game.
In the 26th minute, Scott McDonald to Ramires and his placed shot from the edge of the box beat goalkeeper Jason Steele with the aid of a slight deflection off the back of the crouching Torres.
The goal calmed Chelsea’s nerves and after Steele had tipped over a shot from Torres, Terry headed wide at a corner.
Eden Hazard replaced Benayoun and the Belgian quickly created Chelsea’s second goal in the 73rd minute, neatly exchanging passes with Oscar and speeding into the box before squaring for Moses to score from close range.
The hosts produced a flurry of late chances, with Cech notably saving from Ishamel Miller, but Chelsea survived to take their place in the last eight and take some of the heat off the underfire Benitez. FA Cup quarter-final draw Everton vs Wigan Athletic Manchester City vs Barnsley Manchester United vs Chelsea Millwall vs Blackburn Rovers Note: Ties to be played in the weekend of March 9-10 PARIS, Feb 27, (RTRS): Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two more goals against Olympique Marseille to help Paris St Germain qualify for the French Cup last eight with a 2-0 home victory on Wednesday.
The Swede, who had sealed PSG’s 20 home league victory in added time on Sunday, opened the scoring in the 30th minute and made it two from the penalty spot in the 63rd.
Ibrahimovic has scored five goals in three matches played against Marseille this season, having already found the net twice in the league game at the southern side.
PSG eased through with David Beckham putting on a solid 86-minute performance in his first start in a deep midfield position and receiving his first booking after a late clash with substitute Jordan Ayew.
The former England captain completed the most passes in the first half, including a couple of clinical crosses, three days after his 15-minute debut at the Parc des Princes.
Wealthy PSG will be one of the seven Ligue 1 sides involved in the quarterfinals after Lorient, Girondins Bordeaux and Nancy all qualified on Wednesday.
Lorient thrashed fellow top-flight side Brest 3-0 thanks to a Jeremie Aliadiere brace.
Girondins Bordeaux eliminated fourth tier Raon L’Etape on penalties after labouring to a 2-2 draw, while Ligue 1 bottom club Nancy won 2-0 at fifth division Venissieux-Minguettes in extra time.
In Paris, the game was nothing like Sunday’s Ligue 1 battle in which Marseille dominated possession and had the best chances.
The home team started well and had their first clear-cut chance through Ibrahimovic, who failed to tap in a Kevin Gameiro cross in the 15th minute.
Jeremy Menez, who was wearing the captain’s armband for his first start in four games, struck high above the crossbar two minutes later.
With Beckham doing a good job in building and directing the play, PSG continued to pile the pressure on Steve Mandanda’s goal and Ibrahimovic saw his powerful attempt parried away by the goalkeeper only a minute before break- ing the deadlock.
The Swede ran onto a superb Clement Chantome pass and resisted Lucas Mendes’ challenge to slip the ball between Mandanda’s legs.
Marseille did not manage to threaten goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez until a 51st-minute Andre-Pierre Gignac longrange effort was saved.
PSG immediately reacted and pushed hard for a second goal.
Gignac blocked a Mamadou Sakho header following a neat Beckham corner in the 62nd, two minutes before right back Jeremy Morel fouled Ibrahimovic in the box.
The Swede converted the penalty to secure PSG’s third victory of the season over Marseille after Sunday’s league win and their League Cup last-16 triumph in October.
St Etienne’s remarkable season continued when they reached the quarterfinals of the French Cup with a 3-2 home win against Lille.
St Etienne, who are still on course for a Champions League playoff spot and will play in the League Cup final in April, prevailed with an Aurelien Chedjou own goal and strikes by PierreEmerick Aubameyang and Brandao.