Staff Reporter.
West Ham gained a routine win over League One side Doncaster Rovers to set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie against either Manchester United or Liverpool.
The Hammers went ahead in the second minute when Andriy Yarmolenko released Ryan Fredericks and his pull-back was steered into the net by Pablo Fornals.
Yarmolenko made it 2-0 as he lifted a finish over Doncaster goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe after Said Benrahma’s pass.
Andy Butler scored an own goal and Oladapo Afolayan added a fourth.
Substitute Afolayan had only been on the pitch for eight minutes and netted his first Hammers goal from close range when Fredericks’ shot was parried by Balcombe.
The fourth-round match between Premier League leaders Manchester United and last season’s title winners Liverpool will be played at 17:00 GMT on Sunday.
Meanwhile Yves Bissouma netted a stunning goal as Premier League Brighton edged out League One side Blackpool to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Bissouma’s near 30-yard effort found the top corner in the 27th minute before Luke Garbutt’s cross was stabbed home by Blackpool’s Gary Madine.
Brighton deservedly retook the lead as Alexis Mac Allister’s shot deflected in off Steven Alzate after 58 minutes.
The hosts face the winners of Brentford v Leicester in the next round.
The Bees take on in-form Leicester in the fourth round on Sunday.
Elsewhere Premier League strugglers Sheffield United gained only their third win of the season as they beat Plymouth Argyle in their FA Cup fourth-round tie.
The Blades, bottom of the Premier League, went ahead when Chris Basham headed in from Billy Sharp’s cross.
Sharp added a second, scoring after going around goalkeeper Michael Cooper.
Panutche Camara, who missed a good chance in the first half, pulled one back with a low strike, but the Blades held on to move into the fifth round.
Sheffield United play at home to Championship side Bristol City in the fifth round after the Robins defeated Millwall.