FA Cup Semi Final Results

Swansea met Southampton in the first semi final at Wembley as both teams scented a final and potential European place in the offing. The pattern of the game was set fairly early on as Southampton looked content to sit back and soak up pressure while Swansea monopolised possession. And Southampton managed to frustrate Swansea through to halftime, largely holding them to shots from distance, Brad Jones on hand to mop up anything that got through.

Halftime came and went and the game resumed largely the same pattern after the break. However with all the pressure Swansea applied something had to give, and as a ball came in from out wide, Flores tripped and Adebayor had a free header which he buried to give the Welsh side the lead. Southampton then had to open up with Phillips going close from outside the area. However as they opened up they left space in behind as Hernandez beat 2 defenders before rounding Jones to send Swansea 2 in front with 10 to play. There was time for Southampton to grab something as Lambert converted Phillips’ cross with injury time, but it wasn’t to be as Swansea y progressed to the FA Cup final.

Southampton 1 (Lambert ’94) Swansea 2 (Adebayor ’58, Hernandez ’81)

1-0-5

Stoke and Aston Villa met to see who would progress to face Swansea in the Wembley showpiece. Stoke looked to control the early part of the game in midfield and they managed to exert some dominance in that area, leading to early chances spurned by Crouch and Mirallas. And those wasted chances came back to haunt them as Agbonlahor raced clear to square for Ba who put Villa ahead and despite some concerted Stoke pressure that’s where we remained at halftime.

Stoke came out with renewed vigour after halftime and managed to equalise just after the break, Mirallas’ deflected shot coming out to Young who placed it into the corner from a tight angle. It was a fairly even game after that with both sides squandered good chances in. However with5 minutes to go, Given spilled Crouch’s shot and Michu pounced to send Stoke to Wembley

Stoke 2 (Young ’46, Michu ’86) Aston Villa 1 (Ba ’27)

5-1-0