African Cup of Nations favourites Ivory Coast moved into the quarter-finals of the competition by beating Ghana 3-1.

Gervinho opened the scoring for the Ivorians after good work by Chelsea's Salomon Kalou while in the second half Siaka Tiene bent in a wonderful free-kick against the run of play to make it two.

Gervinho finished off a fluid counter-attacking move to put Ivory Coast ahead in the 23rd minute. Although their task was made harder in the second half when Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue received a straight red card for a two-footed challenge.

Ghana had come close to equalising before Ivory Coast's Siaka Tiene netted a stunning left-footed free-kick on 67 minutes and then Didier Drogba headed a last gasp third for the Ivorians.

Asamoah Gyan netted a consolation from the penalty spot in injury time, but Ghana must now beat Burkina Faso next Tuesday to join the Elephants in the last eight. Although a positive to take from the match was the introduction of Michael Essien, who played the full second half after a recent hamstring struggle.