Manchester United defeated Aldershot Town 3-0 in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, and Arsenal came from behind to beat Bolton.
Despite suffering a nightmare 6-1 derby defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made his customary raft of changes for the knock-out competition.
Goalkeeper Ben Amos, defender Ezekiel Fryers and striker Mame Biram Diouf were among the fringe players who enjoyed a rare start in the fourth-round tie at the EBB Stadium.
It was Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov, a 30-million-pound acquisition from Tottenham in 2008, now relegated to a bit-part role, who opened the scoring 14 minutes into the match.
After Ji-Sung Park and Tom Cleverely exchanged a sharp one-two, Berbatov was on hand to convert Park s cut-back from close range, making it 1-0 to United.
With five minutes of the half remaining, Berbatov turned provider for the second, playing in strike-partner Michael Owen, who beat Aldershot goalkeeper Ross Worner with a firm shot.
And Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia completed the scoring in style just three minutes into the second half, collecting Cleverely s pass before finding the net with a powerful drive from 25 yards out.
Also on Tuesday, Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Visitors Bolton led through midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who struck against his former club a minute into the second half in north London.
The hosts hit back six minutes later, with Russia international Andrei Arshavin claiming the equaliser.
And just three minutes later, South Korean Park Chu-Young grabbed the winner with his first goal for Arsenal, lashing a shot into the top-right corner of the net to send the Gunners into the last eight.
In other matches, Joe Mason s 39th-minute effort was enough for Cardiff to beat fellow Championship side Burnley 1-0 at home.
And in another all-Championship clash, Crystal Palace defeated league leaders Southampton 2-0.
Darren Ambrose broke the deadlock in the 73rd-minute at Selhurst Park, and Jermaine Easter made sure of the win from the penalty spot with eight minutes remaining.
