Returning Walcott shines as Gunners reach Cup quarter-finals

The Gunners surged into a 2-0 lead courtesy of an unfortunate own goal from Tim Krul and a controversial second from Walcott on their way to condemning the Magpies to a third defeat in four attempts at St James' Park.

If there was a touch of misfortune about the opening goal in first-half stoppage time – Ryan Taylor's defensive header hit the unwitting Krul and rebounded into the net – there was more than a hint of injustice about the second when Nicklas Bendtner, who had run from an offside position, collided with Mike Williamson as he attempted to get to Walcott.

But Bendtner's 83rd-minute strike and Walcott's finish two minutes from time oozed class as the Gunners powered their way into the last eight.

Alan Smith had earlier hit the bar as the home side recovered from a whirlwind start by the visitors, but the home fans among a crowd of 33,157 left knowing their team had been outplayed and hoping for a very different result on Sunday when arch-rivals Sunderland make the short trip to Tyneside in the

Barclays Premier League.

Newcastle last night insisted they hope to extend Chris Hughton's stay as manager amid frenzied speculation that his days could be numbered.

Some bookmakers suspended betting on the former Republic of Ireland international leaving St James' Park with contract negotiations yet to reach a conclusion and his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

However, the club released a statement last night confirming their plan to retain his services.

The statement said: "Chris is our manager and will remain our manager, and it is our intention to re-negotiate his contract at the end of the year."

West Ham's substitutes came to their rescue as they scored a

3-1 extra-time victory over Stoke.

The Potters looked set to pile the pressure on Hammers boss Avram Grant after the home side missed several chances to cancel out Kenwyne Jones's early opener at Upton Park.

But captain Scott Parker finally equalised with six minutes of normal time remaining before Manuel Da Costa and Victor Obinna secured the win.

Substitute Stewart Downing's extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for Aston Villa over Burnley at Villa Park. Burnley defender Clark Carlisle had cancelled out Villa substitute Emile Heskey's opener. Villa had winger Marc Albrighton sent off.