West Ham United's record buy Dean Ashton scored twice to send the London side into the FA Cup semi-finals tonight after a 2-1 win at Manchester City.

The striker, a £7million signing from Norwich City in January, beat England keeper David James at his near post just before halftime and tapped in a second on 69 minutes to book West Ham their first Cup semi-final appearance since 1991.

City's Chinese defender Sun Jihai was shown a straight red card after 56 minutes for swinging an arm at Matthew Etherington as they tussled near the touchline.

Congolese midfielder Kiki Musampa blasted in a left-foot volley from just outside the box five minutes from time but City's late pressure failed to bring an equaliser.

The three remaining quarter-final ties take place on consecutive nights this week. Birmingham City host Liverpool tomorrow night, Newcastle United visit Chelsea on Wednesday and Charlton Athletic welcome Middlesbrough on Thursday.