Everton v Aston Villa
Everton march on in the FA Cup.
This win over Aston Villa means the Toffees have now beaten two of the Premier League's top three teams as they progressed to the quarter finals.
On this occasion, David Moyes and his side thoroughly deserved their 3-1 win over the Midlands outfit.
The match will be all the more memorable for Jack Rodwell after he scored his first Everton goal after three minutes. A Mikel Arteta penalty and a calm Tim Cahill finish secured the win after James Milner's early equaliser from the spot.
After the previous weekend's comfortable 3-0 win over Bolton, Everton began the game in confident fashion and an Arteta cross was glanced away by Craig Gardner.
Phil Neville beats Stiliyan Petrov to the ball
But they took the lead from the subsequent corner; Cahill's header was blocked on the line by Stilyan Petrov - possibly with the use of a hand - it mattered not though, as 17-year-old Rodwell lashed in the rebound for his first Everton goal.
The lead lasted only five minutes after a rare Villa attack reulted in Tony Hibbert bringing down the speedy Gabriel Agbonlahor in the box. Milner's penalty was squeezed in, under the body of the unfortunate Tim Howard.
There was more bad news shortly afteewards when Cahill picked up a fifth yellow card and a one match ban, but soon Everton lead again.
Midway through the half, Anichebe, back after injury, surged through the heart of the visiors' defence before being unceremoniously brought down by Steve Sidwell. Arteta calmly slotted home his second penalty in successive home games.
Mikel Arteta salutes the Park End after netting from the spot
The Toffees continued to push forward in confident fashion, with Dan Gosling going close to another FA Cup goal before Villa registered their first effort from open play.
On the half hour, Curtis Davies headed tamely at Howard when well-poistioned in the the box. Agbonlahor also missed a presentable headed chance moments later as Villa sought a second equaliser.
Anichebe produced another penetrative burst before half time and was able to produce a left-foot shot. Sadly, it lacked the power of his initial drive forward.
The second half took a while to get going but when it did, Howard's 61st minute save from Carew's clever shot was world class.
Jack Rodwell hammers home his first Everton goal
Everton replied with a Cahill header of their pwn that was easily saved then Sidwell guided his effort wide when he should have done better.
It proved costly, as Cahill extended the lead with a calm finish in the 76th minute. Anichebe's cross evaded Villa's centre halves and ended up at the feet of the Australian who did the rest from six yards out.
And despite renewed efforts from Villa, Everton's defence held strong to ensure their presence in the sixth round.
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