Toffees too strong for Robins

Everton reaped the rewards of fielding a virtual full-strength side as they defeated npower League Two side Cheltenham 5-1 in an FA Cup third-round tie at the Abbey Business Stadium.

Nikica Jelavic opened the scoring after 12 minutes and Leighton Baines doubled Everton's lead seven minutes later from the penalty spot.

Leon Osman made it 3-0 early in the second period and, after Russell Penn pulled one back, Seamus Coleman and Marouane Fellaini completed Everton's rout.

Visting manager David Moyes paid Cheltenham the compliment of parading eight of the line-up which started the 2-1 midweek win at Newcastle in the Barclays Premier League.

Everton broke the deadlock after 12 minutes through Jelavic. Fellaini's curling shot contained too much power for goalkeeper Scott Brown as it crashed against the far post. But Jelavic was alert to the rebound and made no mistake for his seventh goal of the campaign.

After 19 minutes, Baines doubled the Toffees' lead from the penalty spot. Cheltenham skipper Alan Bennett was adjudged to have fouled Fellaini and the resulting spot-kick from Baines contained too much power for Brown even though he dived the right way.

The impressive Osman appeared to have killed off the tie after 49 minutes when he slotted the ball past Brown after taking a Baines pass in his stride.

Cheltenham pulled one back two minutes later through Penn's cool finish after good play by Kaid Mohamed. But Coleman re-established Everton's three-goal lead after 57 minutes. He burst into the box and dinked the ball over Brown after exchanging passes with Victor Anichebe.

It needed a fine save from Brown to deny substitute Steven Naismith before Fellaini made it 5-1 with a minute left from Anichebe's cross.

Moyes' side will now visit the winners of next week's replay between Sunderland and Bolton at the Stadium Of Light in the fourth round.