Magic moments

The FA Cup semi-finals have twice been decided by penalties at Wembley. In 2009, Manchester United were chasing five trophies but were denied progress to The FA Cup Final by Everton. After a drab 0-0 draw, Tim Howard saved twice in the ensuing penalty shoot-out, first from Dimitar Berbatov and then Rio Ferdinand. Five years later, Arsenal required spot-kicks to see off holders Wigan Athletic.

Form can fall by the wayside in The FA Cup semi-finals, and in both 2010 and 2015 clubs at the wrong end of the table defied the odds. First, Avram Grant’s relegated Portsmouth scored two goals in extra-time to see off Tottenham Hotspur in 2010; Frederic Piquionne scored the first before Kevin Prince-Boateng sealed the surprise victory. In 2015, strugglers Aston Villa, then managed by Tim Sherwood, outplayed and beat a Liverpool side keen on giving Steven Gerrard the perfect send-off.

In 2011, The FA Cup semi-final draw pitched together Manchester United, chasing a second treble under Sir Alex Ferguson, and their cross-city rivals from Eastlands. United started brighter but it was City who would emerge victorious, Yaya Toure seizing on a Michael Carrick mistake to fire the Citizens into their first FA Cup Final for 30 years. A month later, City would beat Stoke City in the Final, thanks to Toure again, ending a 35-year wait for silverware.

 

end of Wembley.

Wigan Athletic reached The FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history in 2013, and they were overwhelming favourites against Millwall. Wigan fans were outnumbered, but they cared little after Shaun Maloney put them ahead before Callum McManaman doubled their advantage. Afterwards, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez revealed his desire for the club’s owner, Dave Whelan, to lead out the team at the Final, which they went on to win.

Arsenal reached their 27th FA Cup semi-final in 2015, but they were made to sweat by a Reading side intent on reaching their first FA Cup Final. A year earlier, Arsenal had needed penalties to see off Wigan, and they required extra-time on this occasion to overturn Steve Clarke’s spirited Royals. Alexis Sanchez ultimately proved the difference, first scoring in the opening 45 minutes and again in the first half of extra-time, with a little help from Reading keeper Adam Federici, to make it eight wins on the trot in all competitions, and secure a place in the Final. 

Yannick Bolasie had been an unused substitute for Crystal Palace when they last visited Wembley, in the 2013 play-offs, but the player who grew up a stone’s throw from the home of football returned with a vengeance in 2016. Impressing with his power and pace, Bolasie – who warmed up pre-match with specially designed boots featuring the Wembley arch – was imperious as he scored the first goal in a 2-1 win.