LONDON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday on a day when there were no surprises in the knockout competition.

Although Mauricio Pochettino's side were 0-0 at home to Championship side Preston at half time, they stepped up a gear after the break and enjoyed a comfortable win with goals from Armando Broja, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez.

Aston Villa had a much more difficult evening away to Middlesbrough and had to wait until three minutes from time when full back Matty Cash popped up to put Unai Emery's side into the next round.

Newcastle United made their class tell in the return of the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland as they won 3-0 in the Stadium of Light.

Daniel Ballard deflected Joelinton's cross into his own goal in the 35th minute and Alexander Isak struck twice for Newcastle, including a penalty in the last minute of the game.

Bournemouth came back from 2-0 down at halftime to win 3-2 away to Queens Park Rangers with second half goals from Marcus Tavernier, Kieffer Moore and Justin Kluivert.

Joao Pedro scored twice to see Brighton to a 4-2 win away to Stoke City in a game that had been balanced 2-2 with 20 minutes left to play. Pervis Estupinan and Lewis Dunk, who had earlier conceded a penalty, got on the scoresheet for Brighton, before Pedro's goals in the 71st and 80th minute.

Sheffield United put their league struggles behind them with a 4-0 win away against League Two (fourth division) Gillingham, with two goals from William Osula and two from James McAtee.

Maidstone United from the National League South (sixth tier) kept the glamor of the Cup alive as they reached the fourth round, with a 1-0 win at home to Stevenage Town with a penalty in the first half injury time.

Non-league Eastleigh also kept their hopes of reaching the fourth round as they drew 1-1 away to Newport Country.

In other games, Southampton enjoyed a 4-0 win at home to Walsall, Watford came back to win 2-1 at home to Chesterfield and Championship (second division) leaders Leicester City won 3-2 away to Millwall. Enditem

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