Bradford City 4 Millwall 0

CITY booked their luxury day out at Chelsea with the type of steam-roller performance last night that Jose Mourinho’s aristocrats would be proud of.

There was no tension, no late drama, no penalty shoot-outs – and pretty much no resistance from a hapless Millwall side who were there for the taking.

To paraphrase one of the many mocking chants from a jubilant Kop, “Championship, you’re having a laugh”. Reduced to ten men after only six minutes, they were pathetic.

But that shouldn’t take anything away from the Bantams.

Phil Parkinson had evoked memories of the great cup nights in the build-up but last night had the air of the play-off final – total domination from first whistle to last.

Just like that glorious day at Wembley, the contest was over before half-time. From then, it was simply a case of how many as the fans lapped it up.

It didn’t even matter that Parkinson had to watch the bulk of it from the stand after a first-half altercation.

So City are bound for Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2000 – ironically the last year they made it this far in the FA Cup.

That time, of course, they had started only one round earlier. They can head for the King’s Road next week in the knowledge that they have genuinely earned this trip.

It is 39 years since City have won three FA Cup ties in the same season. That run went as far as the quarter-finals before Jim McCalliog’s disputed volley for eventual winners Southampton did for the plucky hosts.

With the Premier League leaders now standing in their way, nobody will expect Parkinson’s class of 2015 to progress any further than their big day out in the last 32. But then again, how many fancied City to appear in a Capital One Cup final?

Andrew Davies, who missed the original tie with a tight hamstring, was back in so Parkinson could call upon his long-serving back four. City had caught Millwall out with a high velocity start at The Den and they looked to replicate that by forcing three corners in the opening five minutes.

The visitors were not allowed to settle – and their cause became significantly harder a minute later when they were reduced to ten men.

James Hanson nipped goal side of Mark Beevers as they chased Rory McArdle’s long ball inside the Millwall half. The former Sheffield Wednesday centre half pulled the City man down and referee James Adcock went straight for his red card.

It was the official's eighth dismissal in the last 12 games and the second early bath in four days at Valley Parade. Only this time it was very much to City’s advantage.

And how they quickly cashed in. Winning a fourth corner, Andy Halliday’s outswinger was flicked across goal by McArdle for Hanson to nod home at the far post.

The man for the big cup occasion had struck again with his seventh goal of the season as the place erupted.

City had no intention of releasing their grip on Millwall throats and doubled their lead ten minutes later.

Richard Chaplow got the first of the night’s yellow cards for bringing down James Meredith. The full back lifted the free-kick into the box, where Andrew Davies won the knockdown for Jon Stead to drill home.

With chants of “easy, easy” booming from the Kop, Millwall’s heads had gone – and the game exploded with a melee on the touchline.

It was sparked by Alan Dunne shoving Hanson into an advertising board as the striker looked to shepherd a ball out of play.

David Forde ran from his goal to remonstrate with Stead and appeared to throw a punch as players from both sides rushed to join in.

Billy Knott was in the thick of it – and Parkinson also arrived on the scene as the officials struggled to pull the warring factions apart.

Knott reacted angrily after another swing from the Millwall keeper before Adcock finally regained some control. As the dust settled, there were bookings for Knott, Dunne and a fortunate Forde.

The referee had not finished there and strode over to the City dug-out, where he sent both Parkinson and assistant Steve Parkin to the stand.

But even that could not take the wind from City’s sails and they were celebrating once more six minutes before the break.

Knott hurt Millwall the right way with a fine pass to release Morais on the right flank. The former Lions winger had room to size up his cross and picked out Andy Halliday to sweep in from eight yards.

Parkinson and Parkin did a little jig on the steps of the press box as Valley Parade rocked once more. Nobody could have foreseen such a dominant display.

But if Millwall thought it could not possibly get worse, they were in for a further shock.

James Meredith marauded virtually unchecked down the left before squaring for Knott, who looked set to score. His point-blank was blocked by Forde and Millwall survived for once.

That let-off proved temporary. Morais, Gary Liddle and Meredith’s neat interchange kept the blue shirts penned in their own penalty area.

There were loud shouts for hand ball as Danny Shittu blocked Meredith’s shot but Millwall failed to clear the danger and Knott was on it in a flash to continue his hot scoring streak.

That was enough for some of the long-suffering away fans, who streamed towards the exits, even though there was still over half an hour left.

City were still in the mood for more and substitute Francois Zoko was twice close to his first goal for the club, clipping the post and then seeing his header well held by Forde.

Millwall’s following bounced in ironic joy when they managed a solitary shot on target in the dying minutes. But they were never in with a shout of earning a London derby.

That particular prize is for City a week on Saturday – and how they have deserved it.

City v Millwall picture gallery