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Portsmouth thrashed Stoke 4-0 while Blackburn enjoyed a thrilling 5-2 win over Peterborough in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Portsmouth 4-0 Stoke

Frederic Piquionne (pictured) provided the inspiration as Portsmouth stormed into the Carling Cup quarter-finals by demolishing Stoke 4-0 at Fratton Park.

The worst scoring record in the Premier League may have left Pompey rooted to the foot of the table, but they had few problems hitting the target in the cup.

Piquionne struck twice and set up another for Danny Webber before Kanu completed the rout to make it 11 goals from their three matches in the competition so far.

With a point to prove after slipping out of manager Paul Hart's first choice line-up, Piquionne dazzled and frustrated in equal measure.

The France striker, on loan from Lyon until the end of the season, was Pompey's most dangerous player yet would mix his box of tricks and turn of pace with some erratic moments.

Pompey almost snatched the lead 10 minutes in when Piquionne dashed into the box before forcing a goalline clearance from Andy Griffin with Webber lurking to help the ball home.

They could not be denied seven minutes later, however, when the ubiquitous Piquionne outjumped Danny Higginbotham to nod home Nadir Belhadj's cross.

It was a simple move as Piquionne set up Webber who took one touch before blasting home in the 56th minute.

Three minutes later and Hart's team were out of sight as Steve Simonsen fumbled a free-kick by Brown into the path of Piquionne who completed the simple tap in.

To complete the rout, Aaron Mokoena laid on a sweet pass to fellow substitute Kanu who rounded the beleaguered Simonsen before slotting home with nine minutes left.

Blackburn 5-2 Peterborough

Blackburn booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 5-2 win over 10-man Peterborough at Ewood Park.

Peterborough initially made life difficult for their hosts as Chris Whelpdale equalised Morten Gamst Pedersen's early opener, but goalkeeper Joe Lewis was sent off just before half-time for clattering Pedersen and Steven Reid slotted home the spot-kick.

Peterborough managed a second equaliser through George Boyd just after half-time, but Rovers soon made the difference in numbers tell with Michel Salgado, Benni McCarthy and a Nicola Kalinic penalty completing a comprehensive 5-2 victory.

Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa (Aston Villa win 3-1 on penalties)

Brad Guzan emerged as the Aston Villa hero as Martin O'Neill's men secured their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Sunderland's expense.

The American, an understudy to Brad Friedel at club and international level, saved Kenwyne Jones' late penalty to take the game to extra-time and ultimately penalties.

And he maintained his excellence by saving three of Sunderland's four spot-kicks in the shoot-out with Ashley Young converting the clincher to send Villa into the last eight.

PA Sport