Soccer

Keane makes the difference

FA Cup round-up:   Robbie Keane scored his 99th goal for Spurs to help the north London club into the fourth round of the FA…

Tue Jan 15 2008 - 00:00

FA Cup round-up:  Robbie Keane scored his 99th goal for Spurs to help the north London club into the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Steve Coppell's Reading side at the Madejski Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland captain struck after 15 minutes when he stabbed home the rebound after Younes Kaboul met Jermaine Jenas's corner. Spurs now meet Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fourth round.

A Steven Gerrard hat-trick gave Liverpool a five-goal victory over Luton at Anfield. The League One side were only trailing 1-0 at the break but a second-half onslaught saw the Reds cruise through the third-round replay to set up a home meeting with either Swansea or non-league Havant and Waterlooville.

Liverpool broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when Ryan Babel rifled a shot beyond Hatters goalkeeper Dean Brill and into the corner after being released by Fernando Torres.

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Gerrard made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute when he headed in from close range after Peter Crouch flicked on a cross from Jermaine Pennant.

Rafael Benitez's side extended their lead five minutes later after Gerrard swung in a corner which was met by Hyypia although Luton defender Matthew Spring seemed to get a touch before the ball crossed the line.

Gerrard made it 4-0 in the 64th minute, stroking the ball into the corner, before grabbing his third with a 25-yard strike in the 72nd minute.

Bury caretaker manager Chris Brass got his reign off to a winning start with a urprise 2-1 win over Coca-Cola Championship side Norwich at Gigg Lane to set up a trip to Southampton.

Bury broke the deadlock in the 18th minute after a calamitous mix-up in the Norwich defence left Ben Futcher with a simple finish.

Bury doubled their advantage in the 61st minute through Andy Bishop with a clever finish.

Dion Dublin pulled a goal back for Norwich four minutes from time when he put in the rebound from Lee Croft's shot but Bury held on.

Millwall claimed a 2-1 win over Walsall at the New Den to secure a trip to Coventry in the fourth round.

Millwall striker Ben May broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with a 20-yard strike which flew past goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

May had a hand in Millwall's second goal in the 49th minute and his intelligent pass set up Gary Alexander, who produced a superb finish from the left side of the box.

Walsall pulled a goal back in the 61st minute with a low 20-yard strike from striker Alex Nicholls which took a deflection off a Millwall defender.