Saturday's FA Cup round-up

Possible giant-killings, under pressure managers, relegation threatened teams looking for a cup victory to ease the pressure, big spenders determined to win a trophy as a return for their investments, Saturday's FA Cup quarter final ties had them all. Middlesbrough hosted Manchester City in the all Premier League clash, before Arsenal hosted non-league Lincoln City. 

Manchester City fielded a strong team at the Riverside for their match against Middlesbrough, as they looked to secure an FA Cup semi final spot, before turning their attention to the Champions League in midweek. Just three minutes into the match, they took the lead, as Pablo Zabaleta made the most of poor closing down to find David Silva inside the six yard box, with Silva finishing the move calmly. 

It took until twenty minutes into the second half for City to secure the result, with pacy winger Leroy Sane setting up Sergio Aguero, before the pair were both taken off by Guardiola in preparation for the Champions League clash with Monaco. Manchester City are now through to their first FA Cup semi final for four years, as Pep Guardiola continues his quest for his first silverware in England. 

Lincoln City fans arrived at the Emirates loving every moment of their team's miraculous FA Cup run, hoping rather than expecting that their fairytale would continue. The visitors frustrated Arsenal during the first half, as the Gunners struggled to find their rhythm. In stoppage time at the end of that first half, they did however get the breakthrough. Theo Walcott's deflected effort was enough to find the back of the net.

Arsenal continued to threaten in the second half, and as the non-leaguers grew tired, the result was put beyond doubt. Goals from Giroud, Sanchez, Ramsey and an own goal from Lincoln's Luke Waterfall gave the home side a 5-0 victory. A comfortable victory for the home side, with a small amount of pressure being relieved from Arsene Wenger, but Lincoln City can certainly be proud of their efforts.