Avram Grant's men looked like crashing out in a topsy-turvy encounter at Stamford Bridge before Shevchenko and Lampard spared their blushes late on.

City shocked the Blues by taking a sixth-minute lead when Gareth McAuley headed in Matt Fryatt's cross.

But two neat finishes inside nine minutes from Frank Lampard, both laid on by Scott Sinclair, turned the game around inside half an hour.

However, the visitors came roaring back after half-time, DJ Campbell looping a header over the advancing Carlo Cudicini and Carl Cort netting after a free-kick eventually fell to his feet.

Grant praised his side’s comeback. “It showed that we have good character. I have never in my life given up until the last moment even if we are losing 2-0.

"This is football. When we were leading 2-1 we created five chances one-on-one with the goalkeeper. It was fantastic but we should have scored. But that is football.

“Andriy's goal was a fantastic one at the right moment and the right time."

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard was Liverpool's hero once again to spoil good pal Robbie Fowler's homecoming.

The Reds skipper sealed a 2-1 win over Cardiff on Kop legend Fowler's first return to Anfield since joining the Bluebirds in the summer.

Nabil El Zhar marked his first Liverpool start with his first goal for the club three minutes after half-time only for Darren Purse's header to level matters after 65 minutes.

But Gerrard, making a surprise start, pulled his side up by their bootstraps with the winner soon after.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez walked onto the pitch at the end to embrace Robbie Fowler while the Kop roared the name of a man who is still their idol.

Benitez said: "I just wished him well - he was great for us when he came back to the club. He has left us all with great memories of a great player."

Arsenal's latest batch of young Gunners cruised into the last eight with a 3-0 win at Sheffield United.

Last season's runners-up were comfortable victors at Bramall Lane thanks to Eduardo da Silva's brilliant double and a deflected third from Denilson.

Eduardo's left-foot rocket beat Ian Bennett at his near post after eight minutes, and the Brazilian-born Croatia striker coolly slotted his second five minutes after the interval.

Denilson's long-range effort then looped over Bennett off Chris Morgan to complete the scoring.

Arsene Wegner praised Eduardo's perserverance. "When I sign a player I don't judge him at all in the first six months. Never.

"I give him six months to adapt and don't put any pressure on him because I know what it takes. You have to settle and get the right level. You start to look at him really in January and February.

"He started very well - like many people who come here - but after a little bit of a dip, an injury, a problem with his ankle. Now he looks to me like he is starting to settle and come back."

Red-hot Blackburn racked up a seventh straight win in all competitions thanks to a 2-1 victory at Portsmouth.

Benni McCarthy slotted home from six yards after 11 minutes to give the visitors the lead.

The South Africa striker then robbed Pedro Mendes 13 minutes from time before feeding Morten Gamst Pedersen for number two.

Kanu pulled one back in stoppage-time but it was too late.

Juande Ramos's first game in charge of Tottenham ended in a win as Blackpool were beaten 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

Spurs' new Spanish boss looked on as his side went route one to open the scoring, Robbie Keane lifting Dimitar Berbatov's flick over Paul Rachubka.

Pascal Chimbonda's header back across goal sealed a comfortable home win.

Manchester City bounced back from their 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea thanks to Elano's late penalty at Bolton.

The in-form Brazilian sealed a 1-0 win in an otherwise dour game after Lubomir Michalik was adjudged to have handled.

Luton's game with Everton went to extra-time.

Everton narrowly ensured there were no upsets thanks to Tim Cahill's extra-time winner at Kenilworth Road.

The Australia midfielder, playing only his third game since a seven-month injury lay-off, netted his second goal since his comeback when he volleyed into the roof of the net in the 101st minute.

Despite severe Luton pressure, it was enough for a 1-0 win.