World Soccer

Andrew Yates (AFP/Getty Images)

The eagerly-awaited FA Cup fifth-round clash between England’s two top teams turned out to be a one-sided affair on Saturday as Manchester United thumped 10-man Arsenal 4-0 at Old Trafford.

United were 3-0 up after 38 minutes through Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher and Nani as Arsenal’s injury-hit side looked badly off the pace and short of motivation.

United, also without some leading players, were just as dominant after the break and Arsenal suffered a further setback five minutes after the restart when Emmanuel Eboue was sent off for a wild challenge on Patrice Evra.

Both teams then made substitutions to rest players for midweek Champions League games but United remained on top and got the fourth with another Fletcher header after 74 minutes.

Chelsea, who beat United in last season’s FA Cup final, reached the quarter-finals with ease. The Blues beat League One (third division) side Huddersfield Town 3-1.

Liverpool were upset 2-1 at Anfield by Barnsley, who are in mid-table in the Championship (second division).

Only half the teams going into Monday’s last-eight draw are from the Premier League and Middlesbrough have yet to win their tie, having been held 0-0 by Championship side Sheffield United with a replay at home set for Feb. 23.

Portsmouth had a stoppage-time own goal to thank for a 1-0 win against Preston North End, who are fighting to avoid relegation to League One.

Collated English FA Cup results Sunday (17/2): Preston 0 Portsmouth 1 (Carter 90-og)

Sheffield United 0 Middlesbrough 0

Saturday (16/2): Bristol Rovers 1 (Lambert 84) Southampton 0

Cardiff 2 (Whittingham 2, Hasselbaink 11) Wolverhampton 0

Chelsea 3 (Lampard 18, 60, Kalou 70) Huddersfield 1 (Collins 45)

Coventry 0 West Bromwich 5 (Brunt 12, Bednar 59, 69-pen, Miller 76, Gera 78)

Liverpool 1 (Kuyt 32) Barnsley 2 (Foster 57, Howard 90)

Manchester United 4 (Rooney 16, Fletcher 20, 74, Nani 38) Arsenal 0

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