Manchester United and Wigan both made it through to the semifinals of the League Cup on Tuesday.
United won 3-1 away to Birmingham City, while Wigan beat fellow high-flyers Bolton 2-0, the Latics reaching their first major semifinal in the process.
All the goals at St Andrews came in the second half after United, second in the Premiership, had been held in the opening period by second-from-the-bottom City.
France striker Louis Saha scored twice, his goals book-ending Korean Ji-sung Park’s first for United, who have won the League Cup just once in their history, in 1992.
Jiri Jarosik pulled a goal back for the Blues in the 75th minute.
Newly promoted Wigan, sixth in the Premiership to Bolton’s fifth, gave their fans at the JJB Stadium fresh reason to celebrate with striker Jason Roberts scoring twice inside the final five minutes of the first half.
The two remaining quarterfinal ties are due to be played on Wednesday.
League One side Doncaster, who have already knocked Premiership opponents Manchester City and Aston Villa out of the competition this season, are at home to another top-flight club in Arsenal, while Middlesbrough welcome fellow Premiership mid-tablers Blackburn Rovers to the Riverside.
The semifinal draw will take place after Wednesday’s matches. — Sapa-AFP