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Gunners See Off Brave Clarets

Sun 06 Jan, 05:09 PM


Premier League leaders Arsenal avoided becoming the latest victims of an FA Cup upset as they saw off the brave challenge of Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor on Sunday.

In-form striker Eduardo scored one goal and made the other as the Gunners progressed to Monday's draw.

The Croat opened the scoring on nine minutes, finishing coolly after latching onto a pass from Kolo Toure. That strike came just after Burnley had almost broken the deadlock themselves, with Kyle Lafferty powering a header against the Arsenal bar.

The task became much tougher for the Clarets midway through the second half when Lafferty was sent off for sliding in on Gilberto with his studs up.

Soon after the Gunners made sure of victory when Nicklas Bendtner scored their second after being set up by the ever-dangerous Eduardo.

Fulham face a tough replay after Danny Murphy's 73rd-minute equaliser saw them draw 2-2 with Bristol Rovers, who led twice at Craven Cottage.

New boss Roy Hodgson saw his team fall behind to the League One side when Danny Coles' third-minute effort was deflected in, and although David Healy equalised before half-time, Rovers were in front again when defender Craig Hinton headed home.

Murphy saved Fulham with a superb strike from 25 yards which brave Rovers keeper Steve Phillips touched but could not stop, but it was still a marvellous day out for 7,000 travelling Pirates fans who packed one end of the ground, almost outnumbering the home support.

Premier League basement side Derby bounced back from two goals down at Pride Park to secure a replay with Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls went ahead after nine minutes at Pride Park as goalkeeper Lewis Price inexplicably allowed Mark Beevers' 20-yard volley to squirm out of his grasp and over the line.

Wednesday doubled their advantage midway through the first half as former Rams striker Marcus Tudgay latched onto Darren Moore's weak back-header to slot past the onrushing Price.

Derby bounced back in style, though, netting twice in the space of seven minutes at the end of the first half.

Kenny Miller pulled one back with a neat finish from Craig Fagan's cross before highly-rated youngster Giles Barnes restored parity just before the break with a half-volley that squeezed through a crowded penalty area.

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