Boro stun Hammers in first half of Cup game

Middlesbrough put their Premier League concerns behind them to lead in-form West Ham 1-0 at half-time in their FA Cup fifth-round clash at Upton Park.

A cross from the right by Gary O’Neil was missed by the Hammers defence and headed in at the far post by Stewart Downing in the 22nd minute.

Kamil Zayatte nodded an equaliser 11 minutes before half-time to ensure Hull went in level at 1-1 with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Greg Halford had earlier outjumped Sam Ricketts at the far post to head a seventh-minute opener past Boaz Myhill from David Cotterill’s ball.

Blackburn wasted little time in asserting their dominance over Coventry at Ewood Park, Roque Santa Cruz driving the ball past Keiren Westwood and into the far corner with just two minutes on the clock to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage at the interval.