Hull And Arsenal Advance

The FA Cup reached the semi-final stage this weekend with some history made in both ties one of which included eight goals and the other going right to the wire in a penalty shootout.

Saturday saw holders Wigan look to extend their cup run into a second consecutive final as they took on Arsenal who were two wins away from a first trophy in nine years. A tight game came to life in the 63rd minute when Wigan were awarded a penalty and Gomez slotted past Fabianski to sent the Latics fans wild but with eight minutes to go their dreams were dented as Mertesacker rose highest to head past Carson for 1-1 and the game went into extra time.

Neither side were able to gain an advantage so the place in the final was decided by a penalty shootout, strangely Wigan chose Caldwell for the first attempt over Gomez who had already scored from the spot and the fate was a miss, Arteta struck well to put Arsenal in front, Collison stepped up for Wigan but another miss left them needing a miracle when Kallstrom made it 2-0. Beausejour scored for Wigan but when Giroud made it 3-1 to Arsenal, it seemed the tie was close to a conclusion, McArthur made it 3-2 but Cazorla stepped up and slotted past Carson to confirm a 4-2 win.

Hull will make their FA Cup final debut in five weeks after a 5-3 win against Sheffield United but fell behind after 19 minutes when Baxter put the Blades in front, Sagbo levelled in the 42nd minute but United went into the interval ahead when Scougall put them 1-2 up a minute before half-time.

The sides were level four minutes into the second half when Fryatt made it 2-2 and Hull led for the first time five minutes later when Huddlestone struck in the 54th minute, the tie seemed to be settled in the 67th minute when Quinn made it 4-2.

United made sure it would be a frantic ending when Murphy made it 4-3 in the last minute of normal time only for Meyler to seal the win for Hull in injury time with the fifth goal in a 5-3 win.