Cardiff secure quarter-final place

Only two minutes had passed at Ninian Park when Whittingham broke the offside trap to race onto Hasselbaink's pass and fire under goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Whittingham returned the favour nine minutes later when he laid the ball back to the former Chelsea striker, who rifled a trademark shot into the top corner.

Wanderers rarely threatened the City goal as they put in a disappointing performance which will increase the pressure on manager Mick McCarthy.

City, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a place in the last eight for the first time since 1927 - the year they became the only non-English side to lift the trophy.

Goal difference alone may separate the two sides in the Coca-Cola Championship, but there was a marked gulf in class between them right from the whistle.

One nervous touch from Kevin Foley within the opening seconds set the tone and soon the home side went ahead.

Wanderers' defence was punished for playing too high a line as they were caught flat-footed by Hasselbaink's clever through ball to the unmarked Whittingham, who strolled through the middle and calmly stroked home.

Nine minutes later those defensive deficiencies were highlighted again as City doubled their advantage.

There was no sign of either Wolves full-back as Cardiff countered, swiftly switching the ball from the right flank to the left. Jody Craddock and Gary Breen were left exposed as Paul Parry found Whittingham at the back post and he cut back for Hasselbaink to fire exquisitely into the top-left corner.