Arsenal faced local rivals Chelsea at Highbury, which was a repeat fixture of the previous final. The game ended 2-2 but it was the Blues who took the lead when club captain John Terry headed in a cross from Hasselbaink after just three minutes.
However the Gunners had a brilliant chance to draw level when Francis Jeffers dived in the box and won a penalty, but it was saved. Jeffers did get a equaliser though when a defensive error let the former Evertonian bundle the ball home before Tierry Henry rounded goalkeeper to make it 2-1. But in the last minute of the game Frank Lampard bundled ball home from a corner to force the game into a Stamford Bridge replay.
Sheffield United, who are now flying the flag for the North of England beat Premiership opposition Leeds United in their White Rose Yorkshire Derby. The goal came with just twelve minutes left, Michael Brown crossed into the box but the cleared header fell to Tonge but his shot was cleared off Danny Mills which fell to Steve
Kabba and his left foot volley fired straight into bottom corner.
In the all Nationwide League Division One clash between Watford and Burnley went in the way of the home side as the Hornets beat the Blades next opponents Burnley 2-0 within the last five minutes of the game. Tommy Smith bundled home a scrambled corner while Stephan Glass hammered home a stunning free-kick with only a few minutes to go.
In the last Quarter-Final of the round saw Premiership side Southampton beat Division One Play-Off hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at the 'Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium'. Ex-Blades midfielder Chris Marsden scored the first with a embarrassing over head kick which beat keeper Matt Murray while a Wolves own goal saw the Saints march on.
The draw is now that the Blades face the winners of Arsenal or Chelsea, a venue has not been chosen but a trip to either Old Trafford (Manchester United) or Villa Park (Aston Villa) looks on the cards, hopefully it will be Old Trafford as it holds 68,000 to Villa Parks 42,000.
The second fixture leaves Southampton play Watford, again no venue has been selected but with both teams based down south it could mean a trip to either Highbury (Arsenal), Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) or Tottenham Hotspurs White Hart Lane.
The draw in full:
- Watford v Southampton
- Sheffield United v Arsenal or Chelsea