FA Cup review

A review of the FA Cup sixth round action involving Barclays Premier League sides.

Manchester City beat Reading 1-0 to set up a mouth-watering semi-final against local rivals Manchester United.
Micah Richards headed the only goal of a tense quarter-final at Eastlands to put City into the last four for the first time since 1981.
Apart from David Silva, Roberto Mancini's men were below par and frustrations in the stands were already becoming apparent before Richards rose to power home Silva's 73rd-minute corner to overcome a plucky Reading outfit.
It was harsh on the Royals who had battled hard to keep the Barclays Premier League side at bay in a scrappyn encounter.
The visitors tried to summon up enough strength to force the equaliser and Brynjar Gunnarsson glanced a header wide but City held on take the Manchester derby to Wembley for the first time.

Fine Save

In the day's early match Stoke City beat West Ham United 2-1 in a thrilling match at the Britannia Stadium to reach their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years. Stoke will now face Bolton Wanderers.
The Potters, who last reached the final four in 1972, took the lead through the simplest of means as the Hammer were caught napping at one of Rory Delap's long throws.
As he hurled the ball into the six-yard area from the left touchline no-one picked up the run of Robert Huth who planted a straightforward header past Robert Green in the 12th minute.
The visitors were literally handed an equaliser on the half-hour.
Thomas Hitzlsperger's long ball over the top saw Frederic Piquionne get beyond Huth but the striker seemed to use his upper arm to control the pass before lobbing it over Thomas Sorensen.
It was not without consequence for the scorer who soon limped off injured as a result of Huth's challenge as he tried to prevent Piquionne applying the final touch.
within 13 seconds of the start of the second half Stoke were presented with the opportunity to go ahead again when Parker was judged to have fouled Matthew Etherington as he tricked his way into the penalty area.
The former West Ham midfielder picked himself up to take the spot-kick but did not place it far enough into the corner and Green dived to his left to pull off a fine save
The home side regained the advantage on 63 minutes after Carlton Cole blocked Pennant's free-kick with an arm.
With the ball teed up just inches from the edge of the area Danny Higginbotham took a run at it and smashed a low shot which went through the ball and was so powerful Green could only palm it on to the post and back into the net.
Matthew Upson headed against the bar five minutes from time as the visitors piled on the late pressure.

Sunday's FA Cup sixth round results

Stoke City 2-1 West Ham United
Manchester City 1-0 Reading