Soccer: Arsenal draw, Man U into Cup quarters

LONDON - Holders Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, while 10-man Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by second-division Sheffield United amid a series of upsets yesterday.

Manchester United midfielders Quinton Fortune and Cristiano Ronaldo got the goals in a fifth-round tie during which their former Everton striker Wayne Rooney was booed every time he touched the ball on his return to Goodison Park.

Arsenal's draw was followed by more surprises as second-division Leicester City snatched a late 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic and third-division Brentford came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Premier League strugglers Southampton.

Striker Kevin Davies scored for Bolton Wanderers as they beat Premier League rivals Fulham 1-0.

The day's action ended on Merseyside, where England teenager Rooney returned after his 27 million ($70.73 million) move in August and helped United to a stylish, fully-deserved victory.

Portuguese winger Ronaldo stole the show, though, providing the cross for Fortune's 23rd-minute header and then scoring in the 58th minute after Everton keeper Nigel Martyn parried a deflected Paul Scholes free kick.

Everton rarely threatened on a disappointing night and they could be in trouble with the Football Association after United keeper Roy Carroll was laid out by a missile in the second half.

United manager Alex Ferguson said: "I think we made it easier than everyone expected - it was a fantastic performance."

As for his decision to play Rooney at Goodison, Ferguson said: "I think it was important. Leaving him out would have been ridiculous because at some point he has to play at Everton, whether it's today, next week or next season."

Arsenal face a replay at Bramall Lane on March 1 after their largely second-string side conceded a 90th-minute penalty.

Dennis Bergkamp, captain in the absence of the rested Patrick Vieira, was controversially sent off in the 35th minute for pushing an opponent in a melee involving both sides.

Arsenal, who rode their luck before halftime when Sheffield's Danny Cullip had a header harshly disallowed for pushing, broke the deadlock when substitute Robert Pires struck from close range in the 78th minute.

But Sheffield kept pushing forward and won a penalty, coolly converted by Andy Gray, after Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos handled the ball in the area.

Manager Arsene Wenger said Arsenal would appeal against the red card.

"He didn't hit, he didn't push him," Wenger told Arsenal's website.

Sheffield boss Neil Warnock told Sky Sports: "I thought it was going to be cruel for the boys at the end. Obviously, they're technically far better than us, but we hung in there and showed a lot of guts and determination. And I thought we were unlucky with the disallowed goal."

Leicester striker Dion Dublin headed their winner in the 90th minute at The Valley.

Charlton's South African forward Shaun Bartlett had equalised just before halftime to cancel out a header from Leicester's Greek defender Nikos Dabizas.

Nigerian defender Sam Sodje was the toast of Brentford fans for nodding a 58th-minute equaliser at St Mary's.

Senegal forward Henri Camara scored twice for Southampton before striker Isaiah Rankin pulled one back for the underdogs late in the first half following a superb solo run.

"The second-half performance typifies the way they've played all season ... they've got great character, tremendous resolve and they all keep working hard," said Brentford manager Martin Allen, who can now look forward to a replay at Griffin Park on March 1.

"At 2-0 down, a lot of people would have crumbled, but I always felt we could get back in it."

Cup action continued overnight when Premier League leaders Chelsea visited Newcastle United, second-division Burnley played local rivals Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur faced Nottingham Forest.

- REUTERS