Oh joy - Nathan Redmond celebrates after scoring Blues' opener

Blues cruised into the fifth round of the FA Cup with Budweiser after a convincing 4-0 win away at Sheffield United.

Adam Rooney hit a brace, with Nathan Redmond and Wade Elliott also on target for Chris Hughton's side.

The goalscorers, together with Colin Doyle and Morgaro Gomis were the five changes from the team that beat Watford last weekend.

Blues started on the back foot in front of a partisan crowd at Bramall Lane.

However, apart from Ched Evans' speculative 25-yard effort for the League One outfit, Blues soon assumed control thanks to Redmond's neat finish on 18 minutes.

The 17-year-old found himself unmarked in the box and helped Jordon Mutch's low corner underneath United 'keeper Steve Simonsen.

Cool finish - Redmond fires home

Blues were rarely troubled for the remainder of the half, with Redmond's goal having nullified the Blades' early attacking intentions.

This led to both teams trying their luck from range - that was until Rooney forced home Chris Burke's cross into the roof of the net on 38 minutes.

Battling on - Jordon Mutch holds off Kevin McDonald

Burke almost killed the game off moments later, but the Scot's delightful curling effort narrowly evaded Simonsen's right post.

Much like the beginning of the first period, the visitors had to face an early onslaught of pressure after the restart.

Wade's way - Wade Elliott and Harry Maguire

In the space of a couple of minutes, Richard Cresswell failed to connect with Stephen Quinn's ball across the face of goal, then shortly afterwards, Lee Williamson's shot was spilled by Colin Doyle and Matt Lowton's follow-up attempt struck the inside of the post.

The resulting corner was headed inches wide by Cresswell, prompting Blues to put the tie to bed courtesy of Elliott.

Just before the hour mark the 33-year-old attacked the hosts' defence and unleashed a deflected strike from 20-yards that nestled in the bottom corner.

Well done lads - Colin Doyle shows his joy at a goal

Blues could afford to relax in the closing 30 minutes, but they still had the appetite for a fourth thanks to Rooney tapping-in David Murphy's cross and will now look forward to seeing who they will play in the fifth round when the draw takes place on Sunday afternoon.

Full time: Sheffield United 0 Blues 4

Sheffield United: Steve Simonsen, Matt Lowton, Lescinel Jean-Francois (Marcus Williams 61), Michael Doyle (C), Ched Evans, Lee Williamson, Neill Collins, Richard Cresswell (Chris Porter 73), Harry Maguire, Kevin McDonald, Stephen Quinn (Ryan Flynn 72).
Subs (unused): Nick Montgomery, Johnny Ertl, Danny Philliskirk, George Long.
Bookings: McDonald (79)
Goals: None

Blues: Colin Doyle, Jonathan Spector, Steven Caldwell (C), Curtis Davies, David Murphy, Chris Burke (Eddy Gnahore 80), Morgaro Gomis, Wade Elliott, Jordon Mutch (Callum Reilly 81), Nathan Redmond, Adam Rooney.
Subs (unused): Jack Butland, Pablo Ibanez, Enric Valles, Keith Fahey, Nikola Zigic.
Bookings: None
Goals: Redmond (18), Rooney (38, 78), Elliott (59)

Referee: Lee Mason

Attendance: 18, 072 (approximately 4,100 Blues fans)

Report by Paddy Day