Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has spent over £400 million alone on defenders at Manchester City and this performance reaffirms his need to strengthen in that area again. City, as is expected, passed and passed but Arsenal had the first real chance, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang firing straight at Ederson. Maybe he was finding his range as Aubameyang would give Arsenal a shock lead a few minutes later as he the back post to steer in Nicolas Pepe's cross. Shkodran Mustafi forced Ederson into an acrobatic save with a headed effort which was the last real chance before half time, and Manchester City, for all the dominance in possession, hadn't had a shot on target.
The second half was an onslaught on the Arsenal goal. Raheem Sterling shot just wide when it looked like the net would bulge, Kevin de Bruyne almost scored a wonderful free kick but hit the side netting and Sterling was nosed the ball from close range as he was not expecting a chance from a corner. Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, must be given credit for how ruggedly they defended, particularly David Luiz who is always more comfortable in a back three. City were undone again by Aubameyang. He latched on to a simple ball over the high City defensive line from Kieran Tierney so it was just him and the goalkeeper. He'd bottled it in the first half but this time the ball went through Ederson's legs and Arsenal are now into another FA Cup final.
Manchester United vs Chelsea
There may have been worries from Chelsea fans that, like Manchester City, their early dominance could count for nothing but come the 56th minute in the first half, they'd be rewarded. The game lacked fluidity as both sides lined up with three at the back which neither seem comfortable at. Reece James hit a long range effort that was punched away by David de Gea and Kurt Zouma headed over in the closest opportunities. Manchester United had a quicker turn around than Chelsea which may be why they were very slow. Their solitary chance of any worth was a free kick from Bruno Fernandes easily tipped over by Willy Caballero. A serious head injury to Eric Bailly meant over 13 added minutes were played and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer switched to 4-2-3-1 from 3-4-1-2 which suits them but Chelsea took the lead. Olivier Giroud got a deft touch from a cross that de Gea should have kept out but it was a goal Chelsea and Giroud personally deserved for a fine performance.
David de Gea had messed up for the first and within the first second half minute, he'd done it again. Brandon Williams gave the ball away to Mason Mount and his shot never looked like troubling the 'keeper, but it did, with his weak hand pushing the ball into the corner. On came Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood but Chelsea would get the next goal - Harry Maguire turning into his own net. Solskjaer hadn't rotated his side a lot in the past matches and paid the price for it today. Bruno Fernandes scored a late penalty but there was no comeback from Manchester United.
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