Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in Malabo to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelsea's Salomon Kalou opened the scoring from close range in the 16th minute and Bakary Kone headed an own goal eight minutes from time.

However, an Ivory Coast side featuring six Premier League players were far from convincing as Burkina Faso enjoyed much of the possession.

Burkina Faso are out of the tournament after two defeats in a row.

The minnows were the more cohesive of the two sides but failed to create any clear-cut chances, even if Moumouni Dagano did head against the crossbar late on.

Kalou put the Ivorians ahead against the run of play from just outside the six-yard box, shortly after Jonathan Pitroipa's claims for a penalty were turned down.

Burkina Faso responded to falling behind in the form of several long-range efforts from midfielder Alain Traore, the closest coming when he hit the side-netting with a left-footed drive.

At the other end, Gervinho shot over the crossbar after being set up by Didier Drogba, who also failed to keep his shot down from distance.

Ivory Coast were largely unimpressive, though, and were therefore grateful when substitute Arthur Boka's looping cross was headed into his own net by Burkina Faso defender Kone.

Ivory Coast lead Group B with six points from two games, with Angola two points adrift in second following their 2-2 draw with Sudan earlier on Thursday. WATCH THE GOALS AND HIGHLIGHTS

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