LAST YEAR’S ENGLISH FA CUP finalists, Manchester City, will face the 1976 champions Southampton in this year’s semi-final.
Eight-time champions Chelsea will lock horns with Leeds United in the other semi-final. Both matches will be played at Wembley Stadium over the weekend of April 25–26.
Man City crushed Liverpool 4-0 in the quarter-finals at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to secure their semi-final spot, setting a record of reaching the quarter-finals for the eighth consecutive season.
They will meet Southampton from the second-tier Championship, who stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal by defeating them 2-1 at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday night.
The Saints, famous for winning the FA Cup in 1976, will need determination and a bit of luck to topple Man City, who are aiming to reach their fourth consecutive final and then claim the trophy for an eighth time.
On Sunday, Leeds booked their spot in the FA semi-finals for the first time in 39 years after a 4-2 penalty shootout victory against West Ham.
The penalties were needed after the match ended 2-2 in regular and extra time at London Stadium.
Chelsea also crushed third-tier League One side Port Vale 7-0 in their quarter-final earlier on Saturday evening.
Leeds had taken a 2-0 lead through goals by Tanaka and a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty in the 26th and 75th minutes, respectively, but West Ham fought back during stoppage time with goals from Mateus Fernandes (90+3) and Axel Disasi (90+6), adding extra drama to the match.
Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri emerged as the hero by saving Jarrod Bowen’s penalty and guiding his team into the semi-finals, which they will reach for the first time since 1987.
If they win and reach the final, Leeds will be aiming to lift the FA Cup for the second time, having previously been champions in 1972.
The Leeds vs. eight-time champions Chelsea clash will also bring back memories of the 1970 final, where Chelsea emerged victorious to claim the trophy.
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