Everton 4-0 QPR
Rangers, barely on nodding acquaintance with the FA Cup in recent years, are once again out at the earliest opportunity – with two of the goals that floored them coming from a man they are reportedly after.
But this was really no big surprise given the quality of the opposition and the sense that a prompt return to the top flight is far too important for Rangers to get bogged down in something as superficial as a cup run.
To be fair, Harry Redknapp's team-sheet did not look like a surrender note, even with four changes from the New Year's Day win against Doncaster. It was just that the will was not quite there to make life more uncomfortable for the hosts.
After a steady drip of half chances, the always-menacing Ross Barkley broke the deadlock with a low shot across Julio Cesar (pictured) on 35 minutes.
And just a minute before the interval, Karl Henry's fluffed pass was seized upon by Nikica Jelavic, who fired home gratefully from just outside the area.
The Croatian is on QPR's wanted list and he might solve a chronic goal shortage at Loftus Road if he gets as many chances as he did here. He showed he still has an eye for goal, even if last season's blistering form has deserted him.
Rangers did not get forward in numbers too often. A couple of low crosses from Matt Phillips sparked some alarms, but not as much as shots from Barkley, Gareth Barry and Seamus Coleman that Cesar had to keep out.
Charlie Austin's first half isolation was at least partially eased after the break, with Niiko Kranjcar brought on in place of one of the five midfielders, Armand Traore and Andy Johnson introduced for Henry.
It didn't make any difference.
After 58 minutes Barry spread the ball to Bryan Ovideo on the left and his low cross was bundled home from three yards by Jelavic and almost made it a hat-trick with a free-kick that deflected just over. Barkley also fired just over as the one-way traffic continued.
There was a penalty miss from Jelavic, who floated a spot-kick onto the bar on 74 minutes, but it hardly mattered. Two minutes later, Seamus Coleman smacked a glorious cross-shot past Cesar after being picked out on the overlap by Barkley.
It nearly got even more embarrassing, with only Clint Hill's athleticism and alertness denying Jelavic a third goal. It was day he really should have had four.
In truth, It was always going to be a tall order to imagine Rangers finding more motivation for this one than an Everton side, fifth in the top flight and harbouring genuine hopes of silverware under the very man who tasted Wembley triumph in this competition last season with Wigan.
Roberto Martinez was never going to file this one away as a nuisance in the manner of Paul Lambert at Aston Villa and that pretty much meant the Rs could expect no favours – and no giant-killing.
Their only concern now will be getting back to play Everton at Goodison in the league next year, when presumably they might show greater fight.
Line-up: Cesar; Simpson, Onuoha, Hill, Assou-Ekotto, Traore (Kranjcar h/t), Phillips, Barton, Henry (Johnson 58), O’Neil; Austin (Benayoun 76). Subs not used: Murphy, Dunne, Oneyewu, Zamora
Attendance: 32,283
