Reading continue to impress in the FA Cup far more than their league form would suggest is possible, this time putting out Burnley.  Leeds - also up against premiership opposition for the second time this year - held Spurs to a draw at White Hart Lane. Notts County drew with Wigan, and Stoke knocked out Arsenal.

Robinho seems set to leave Manchester City, while Sol Campbell has returned to the Arsenal first team.

Meanwhile in Angola, favourites Ivory Coast were knocked out by Algeria. Somewhat less surprisingly, Ghana overcame hosts Angola to also make it into the semi-finals.

Often, "independent" supporters - those whose teams are not actively involved in the matches in question - celebrate the early exits of the big clubs. But is it good for the game in the larger sense? Is it good for the FA Cup that Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are already out? Is it good for the African Cup of Nations that the host nation and the competition favourites have both been knocked out on the same day?

Or do the early exits of these teams mean half empty stadia and reduced TV audiences for those teams left in the competitions?

There's something to think about on a cold grey Monday morning!

Meanwhile, tomorrow brings us to the two remaining quarter finals in Angola, with Egypt taking on Cameroon for a chance to take their revenge on Algeria in the semis - you may remember that Algeria were the reason that Egypt failed to qualify for this year's World Cup finals, and to say they weren't happy about it would be something of an understatement!

The other remaining quarter final will be between Nigeria and unfancied Zambia, neither of whom have yet really showed their best form...

Watch this space!