Palace, Wolves in FA last eight

– Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers ensured they avoided becoming the latest Premier League clubs to be on the wrong end of a giant-killing in the FA Cup as they each beat lower league opposition yesterday to book their places in the quarter-finals.

Palace won 2-0 away to thirdtier Doncaster Rovers, the lowest league club still in the competition, while Wolves beat Championship side Bristol City 1-0.

The day’s other fifth-round tie saw Swansea beat 10-man Brentford 4-1 in an all second-tier clash.

Yesterday’s winners now join top-flight Manchester City, Brighton and Watford in the last eight, with FA Cup-holders Chelsea playing Manchester United shortly before today’s draw in a repeat of last season’s final.

First-half goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Max Meyer proved enough for Palace to win in Yorkshire.

Schlupp’s low strike gave the Eagles an early lead which Meyer double with a close-range header in stoppage time at the end of the opening period. Rovers enjoyed plenty of possession and got several shots away, but the difference in class between the two sides told in the end.

“We obviously knew if we got past this round we’d be in a good position to get to Wembley,” Schlupp told the BBC. “It’s a special tournament and hopefully with the luck of the draw, we might get a lesser team to have a better chance of getting through.”

Earlier, Ivan Cavaleiro’s goal was enough to secure an away win for Wolves at Ashton Gate that saw the four-times FA Cup winners end their 16-year wait for a quarter-final appearance.

Bristol City had their chances but midfielder Cavaleiro’s 28th-minute finish helped end their 15-match undefeated run and nine-match winning streak although it needed several fine saves from Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy to secure victory for his side.

“Of course the goal was important and I’m very happy to score but the most important thing is the team move on to the next round,” said Cavaleiro. –

London