Wolves ease into FA Cup fifth round

LONDON: Wolves cruised into the FA Cup fifth round as two goals in the space of 39 seconds sealed a 2-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday.

Vitor Pereira´s side took a welcome break from the fight to avoid Premier League relegation, comfortably avoiding a shock exit against the Championship promotion chasers at Ewood Park. Languishing just two points above the bottom three in the English top-flight, Wolves will prioritise survival over cup success.

But they haven´t been to the FA Cup final since they last won the competition in 1960 and remain in contention for a deep run this season. Wolves took the lead in the 33rd minute when Todd Cantwell lost possession and Joao Gomes pounced in the Blackburn area.

Gomes´s shot lacked power but Blackburn keeper Balazs Toth made a complete hash of his attempted save as the ball squirmed into the net. Less than a minute later, Wolves netted again and this time there was nothing Toth could do to stop it.

Nelson Semedo´s pass sent Matheus Cunha racing clear and the Brazilian forward´s blistering strike whistled into the far corner. Later on Sunday, Liverpool will be expected to keep their quadruple bid alive when they travel to second tier Plymouth.

The Reds booked their place in the League Cup final against Newcastle by thrashing Tottenham in the semi-final second leg on Thursday. Arne Slot´s side are also six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand and have reached the Champions League last 16.

Under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou cannot afford another cup exit when his team visit Aston Villa in Sunday´s other match. Postecoglou boasted earlier this season that he always wins a trophy in his second campaign, but the Australian´s options to achieve that target will be dwindling if Villa knock them out.