Having held United to a draw at Old Trafford, some pundits had thought that this encounter would be in the tradition of cup ties, hard to call. However within two minutes Gabriel Heinze put United in front when his shot managed to find a path past Reading keeper Adam Federici.

Reading were instantly on the back foot and while they tried to string a few passes together United took possession and a long ball from Rio Ferdinand found French striker Louis Saha as he was being watched by Royals defender Andre Bikey. Saha coolly stroked the ball past Federici and within four minutes United were two up.

Another two minutes passed and Reading found themselves another goal down this time it was baby faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He sprinted clear of the Reading off-side trap to further torment the Reading keeper.

Reading managed to gather some composure and on twenty three minutes Dave Kitson threw his side a life line when he headed the ball home from a yard. The goal seemed to settle the Royals, and they began to fight their way back into the game.

In the second half Reading looked more like the side that had impressed at Old Trafford. Their pressure paid off when Leroy Lita scored their second however there was not enough time left in the game to score the goal that would have taken the fixture to extra time and penalties.

Looking for the FA Cup Semi-Final Draw?

There will be smiles on the faces of the managers of the big three this afternoon after they witnessed the draw for the quarter-final of the FA Cup sponsored by EON, as they all managed to elude each other again.

Granted Manchester United will have to get past a tricky away trip to Reading in order to face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Similarly Arsenal have to travel to Ewood Park and over come Blackburn Rovers before playing host to Manchester City.

Chelsea have a home tie against Tottenham Hotspur who knocked out their south London neighbours Fulham. The last draw of the round is between two of the countries young managers Ian Holloway of Championship side Plymouth and Aidy Boothroyd of Premiership strugglers Watford.

Sixth round draw in full:
Middlesbrough or West Brom v Manchester United or Reading
Arsenal or Blackburn v Manchester City
Chelsea v Tottenham
Plymouth v Watford

The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup takes Blackpool or Norwich to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea, there is an all Championship tie between Plymouth and Derby ensuring a lower league team will be in the quarter finals. There is a London derby where Fulham play Spurs at craven cottage.

Bristol City or Middlesbrough will host West Bromwich Albion, while Arsenal or Bolton face another tough tie after their replay when they will be at home to Blackburn Rovers.

 The complete draw is below: 

Chelsea v Blackpool or Norwich
Watford v Ipswich Town
Preston v Manchester City
Plymouth v Derby County
Manchester United v Reading
Arsenal or Bolton v Blackburn
Middlesbrough or Bristol City v West Brom
Fulham v Tottenham

Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie has handed in a transfer request at Sheffield United. The Blades midfielder handed in the request minutes before being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

Gillespie was charged after an incident in Saturday’s match against Reading, when he managed to stay on the pitch just ten seconds. He was dismissed for elbowing the Royals Irish striker Stephen Hunt. Gillespie could find that his instant three match ban is extended, which would not be good news for any prospective new employer.

Former Hull supremo Phil Parkinson has joined the Charlton backroom staff to be Alan Pardew’s assistant. The pair have worked together previously at Reading. However Parkinson is best known for his work at Colchester United where he took the club to  the Championship on a shoe string budget.

The deal is mutually beneficial as it allows Parkinson to keep working while he seeks a permanent job and his experience and rapport with Pardew will help both the players and staff of Charlton Athletic.

The draw for the Football Association Challenge Cup sponored by EON Third round proper has not disappointed on any front. The romance of the cup is alive and well, with many of the smaller, lower league clubs facing opposition from the Premiership. Chelsea play hosts to bottom of League 2 Macclesfield Town in a tie that is very much in the vain of the princes versus the paupers.

Cup holders Liverpool will entertain Arsenal in a repeat of their upcoming Carling Cup quarter final, while last years finalists West Ham United have a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tottenham who have not managed an away victory on home soil in the league will be hoping that they can overcome a Cardiff City side who have made Ninian Park a fortress as they fight for automatic promotion to the Premiership.

FA Cup third round draw:
Blackpool v Aldershot Town or Basingstoke Town?Barnet v Colchester United?Sheffield United v Swansea City
Reading v Burnley
Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic
Mansfield Town or Doncaster Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester City v Fulham
Derby County v Wrexham
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Oldham Athletic
Bury or Chester City v Ipswich Town
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Tamworth v Norwich City
Salisbury City or Nottingham Forest v Charlton Athletic
Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur
Preston North End v Sunderland
Liverpool v Arsenal
Bristol Rovers or Bournemouth v Hereford United
Watford v Stockport County
Crystal Palace v Swindon Town
Bristol City v Coventry City
Peterborough United v Plymouth Argyle
Queens Park Rangers v Luton Town
Southend United v Barnsley
West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United
Hull City v Middlesbrough
Birmingham City v Newcastle United
Torquay United or Leyton Orient v Southampton
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea v Macclesfield Town
Stoke City v Bradford City or Millwall

On Tuesday Watford register their first point of the Premiership campaign in a 1-1 draw against West Ham. On the same night Dimitar Berbatov opened his account for Tottenham in a 2-0 win over Neil Warnock’s Blades.

Shock result of Wednesday night was Chelsea suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of Middlesbrough. Having taken the lead at the riverside through Shevchenko’s first league goal, they then conceded two goals in ten minutes from Pogatetz and Viduka. Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa beat the Royals of Reading 2-1, Blackburn and Fulham held Everton and Bolton in two 1-1 draws. Manchester United were convincing in their victory over Charlton Athletic, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer returning to the team with a goal scoring appearance. In the goalless clash between Manchester City and Portsmouth was relatively uneventful until Ben Thatcher had a flash back to his old Wimbledon days, when he challenged Pedro Mendes on the touchline. Thatcher appeared to lead with his elbow rather than his legs, the challenge caused Mendes to be admitted to hospital for tests. The last has not been heard of this incident and no doubt there will be a ban from the FA.