The pitch certainly didn't help the quality on show as both sides struggled to play a free-flowing passing game. The problem of a swamp appearing right down the centre of the pitch did not help either team play any passing football.

Latics were very nearly a gaol down in the very first minute as Joe Cole almost scored for the Blues. But his shot flew wide of the post and out for a goal kick.

Bruno laid a great chance on for Marcus Bent, but he took far too long over the shot and gave Wayne Bridge the time track back to hook the ball to safety.

Alex found his way into the book for a very late challenge on Michael Brown and then Titus Bramble picked up a yellow card for a silly foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Brown got away with an arm in the face of Claude Makelele and then Jason Koumas sent a free-kick straight at the grateful Cech.

The Blues' first goal came nine minutes into the second half as Nicolas Anelka calmly volleyed a Juliano Belletti's long ball punt.

Paul Scharner got himself booked for over-appealing for offside, but the referee and assistant were correct as Bramble was playing Anelka onside.

After Anelka's opener Wright-Phillips sent a 20-yarder wide before Heskey lashed a great shot which was saved at the near post by Petr Cech.

Shaun Wright-Phillips wrapped the match up in the 82nd minute after a lapse in concentration by Kevin Kilbane allowed Anelka in to set up an easy tap-in.

Antoine Sibierski's got late consolation will definitely be up there for one of the goals of the round. He unleashed an awesome volley from the edge of the 18 yard area with just three minutes to go.

Bent almost grabbed equaliser in the final seconds but his first time volley scraped the wrong side of the crossbar.

Report by Jason Taylor www.cockneylatic.co.uk