On Saturday, the King of the Italian Cup—Roberto Mancini—took his first step towards Wembley when his Manchester City side completed a forgettable 1-0 third-round win at Championship Middlesbrough.

Mancini won the Italian Cup six times as a player and four as manager and, having overseen two league victories after replacing Mark Hughes, watched his new team advance comfortably with a late first-half goal by striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

Aston Villa beat 10-man Blackburn Rovers 3-1 and Wigan Athletic defeated Hull City 4-1 in two all-Premier League ties.

Last season’s runners-up Everton overcame Carlisle 3-1, Tottenham Hotspur beat Peterborough 4-0, and Championship side Preston North End, who sacked manager Alan Irvine last week, thrashed Colchester United 7-0—all on a shock-free day.

On Sunday—when the best games of the round are scheduled—Manchester United host old rivals Leeds United, holders Chelsea entertain Watford, and Arsenal visit West Ham United in an all-Premier League London derby.

(article source: The New York Times, photo source: ESPN)