Chelsea secured a much-needed 3-1 victory in their FA Cup replay at Aston Villa, landing themselves a fifth round tie with Leeds United, while Manchester United discovered that they will face Nottingham Forest.
The Blues and their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, were in desperate need of a performance after a terrible week that saw them lose successive games. Villa had held the Blues to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge and were favourites to progress on their own patch.
First-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson, with Enzo Fernandes adding a sensational third, set Chelsea on their way to the fifth round where Leeds will wait. The Whites saw off Plymouth Argyle 4-1 in a replay 24 hours earlier.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United all remain contenders for the cup competition. City are defending champions having won the FA Cup last term en route to the treble. They will travel to fellow top flight outfit Luton Town in what will be a midweek set of ties.
They begin on February 26 with Coventry City hosting Maidstone United, who are the lowest ranked side still in the competition having stunned Ipswich Town in the last round. Liverpool will host Southampton, who booked their fifth round spot after beating Watford at St Mary's on Tuesday night.
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United had to wait to find out the winner of Nottingham Forest or Bristol City before they could plan their fifth round away day. In the end, it was Forest who triumphed after an entertaining penalty shootout.
Elsewhere in the fifth round Championship leaders Leicester City travel to Bournemouth with Blackburn Rovers, another second tier outfit, taking on Newcastle United. Wolves host Brighton in one of the few all-Premier League ties.
Manchester City won the FA Cup last season (Getty Images)The midweek scheduling is done to ease the burden on all clubs as managers and players continue to bemoan the increased workloads. There are also no replays on offer with all ties going to extra-time and then penalties if required.
February 26: Coventry vs Maidstone (7:45pm)
February 27: Bournemouth vs Leicester (7:30pm)
February 27: Blackburn vs Newcastle (7:45pm)
February 27: Luton vs Manchester City (8pm)
February 27: Chelsea vs Leeds (7:45pm)
February 27: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United (7:45pm)
February 28: Wolves vs Brighton (7:45pm)
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea - Kick-off time, TV channel and team news
February 28: Liverpool vs Southampton (8pm)
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