WITH the English game supposedly falling out of love with the FA Cup, it has been left to foreign players to re-ignite the magic of the competition.

Afonso Alves and Marvin Emnes certainly seem like players with half an eye on Wembley.

While the Brazilian has struggled for goals in the Premier League, he took his FA Cup tally to three this afternoon at Molineux.

And Marvin Emnes, a periferal figure at the Riverside since his £3.5m move from Sparta Rotterdam last Summer, calmly opened his Boro account with a smart finish after 82 minutes.

Alves took his goal with the kind of casual aplomb that seems to elude him when facing keepers in the top flight. But when put through one-on one by Tuncay Sanli, Boro's record signing lofted the ball over Wayne Henessey as if he does it every week.

Gareth Southgate will hope that both players can carry their Cup form into the vital league fixtures against Chelsea and Blackburn next week.