Everton 2-0 Blackpool

Two early goals helped Everton to advance through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this afternoon at the expense of Blackpool.

David Moyes's Everton took the lead with just 49 seconds on the clock when Royston Drenthe converted a cross from Magaye Gueye.

The same two players combined again in the sixth minute for Argentine striker Denis Stracqualursi to stab the ball past Matt Gilks from close range.

Visiting Blackpool responded with long spells in possession, but they struggled to create any goalscoring chances.

When they did break through the Everton rearguard, goalkeeper Tim Howard was on hand to deny Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

As the first half drew to a close, Marouane Felaini, Darron Gibson and Stracqualursi all spurned chances to extend Everton's lead further.

Everton continued to control proceedings after the restart and would have gone three goals up but for a diving save from Gilks to deny Drenthe his second of the match with an hour played.

Ian Holloway's visitors very rarely troubled Howard in the Everton goal, although veteran striker Kevin Phillips struck the crossbar with a free kick from 25 yards out.

Phillips had another chance to reduce the arrears in stoppage time, but he sent his penalty kick over Howard's bar after Johnny Heitinga had brought down Roman Bednar inside the area.