FA Cup Semi-Finals

Chelsea v Arsenal - Wembley Stadium

Chelsea - 4-2-3-1:-
Neuer:Sagna,Kompany,Terry,Marcelo:Yaya Toure, De Jong:Robben,Fabregas,Bale:Aguero

Arsenal - 4-2-3-1:-
Reina:Alves,Vidic,Mexes,Cole:DeRossi,Busquets:Ronaldo,Rooney,Silva:Villa


Liverpool v Birmingham - Millenium Stadium

Liverpool - 4-1-4-1:-
Mandanda:Ivanovic,Rolando,Luiz,Azpilicueta:Romeu:Isla,Essien,Ramires,Lavezzi:Cavani

Birmingham - 4-2-3-1:-
Cech:Lahm,Hummels,Vermaelen,Baines:Martinez,Modric:Hermann,Gotze,Mata:
Van Persie

You can feel the tension around both grounds as they begin to fill up, 4 great sides on show today so both should be crackers..

From The Millenium

TSC "We're going to go out, give it our best shot and hopefully get through. If we give 100% and try our best then regardless of the result we shouldn't be disappointed. I will not accept not trying though."

LSTD " We want to do this for our fans, we will give 100% you can be assured, we want to get to the final"

Less than 10 minutes to go, both staidiums are packed to the rafters, all 4 teams supporters in full voice..A bit of drizzle at Wembley which may make it slippy underneath whereas Liverpool and Birmingham play at a sunny Millenium Stadium..

The teams are out

Chelsea 2 - 3 Arsenal - FT
Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham - Liverpool win 4 - 2 on Pens


John Terry and Vidic lead out Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley, Ivanovic and Van Persie lead their respective teams out at the Millenium

Whistles blow at both stadiums, off we go....

3 Mins:- Chelsea with an early chance straight from kick off, Aguero out to Bale who beats Alves to cross in, Aguero with neat control but doesnt connect and it goes to Reina, who takes it easily.

5 Mins:- Liverpool start cautiouslyand are playing it about trying to get a grip of the midfield early, Birmingham yet to have a touch..

7 Mins:- A let off for Chelsea, a mistake by De Jong lets Rooney pick up his quick thinking send Ronaldo through but the Winger tries to beat Neuer who stood up well to the threat and the chance was gone.

9 Mins:- Birmingham finally have the ball, Baines at left back runs down the wing playing a neat one two with Mata, his early cross is threatening but Rolando is their first to clear the danger..

12 Mins:- Both games pretty even as no one has really taken control at either ground, Liverpool set out to stifle Birmingham which is working so far, at Wembley both teams cancelling each other out at the moment.

14 Mins:- A chance and a great chance for Chelsea, a slip from Mexes, allows Fabregas through, but when it seemed easier to score he played it back to Yaya Toure who blasted over from distance, what was Fabregas thinking surely he should have gone for goal..

16 Mins:- Neither keeper really tested at the Millenium so far, but at Wembley Neuer has just pulled off a magnificent save, a free kick by Ronaldo after Rooney was brought down, it was going straight towards the top right corner, Neuer saw it late but managed to get across to push it over..

17 Mins:- Silvas corner was easily dealt with by Kompany who cleared the danger

19 Mins:- A chance for Liverpool, Hermann trying too much and loses out to Azpilicueta, he has room to drive down the left, Lavezzi moves inside and recieves the pass, Azpilicueta keeps goning and looks for the return which he gets, he drives into the box and drives at Cech, but its just too close to the keeper and he gathers safely.

22 Mins:- Birmingham get through the Liverpool midfield with some good play from Modric, he slips Gotze through, but Rolando comes in with a crunching tackle, Modric goes down but the ref waves play on, a fair tackle in his mind and from tv replays he was right..

23 Mins:- Modric up but struggling, he certainly felt that one..

25 Mins:- Great play from Ronaldo and Rooney, they combine to set Villa free, however Kompany their to block his shot, Terry clears

27 Mins:- Ashley Cole slips, Robben picks up he drives at Mexes he plays it to Fabregas neatly who sends Aguero in, a llovely touch back to Robben who kept his run going, but his attempted chip over theon rushing Reina comes back off the post and straight into Reinas arms to his relief..

29 Mins:- Lovely play from Arsenal, De rossi picking up out to Ronaldo, he beats Marcelo easily and crosses in, Terry clears but its straight to Rooney who fires first time and it goes straight past Neuer, he was left with no chance

32 Mins:- Liverpool back in control at The Millenium, their midfield are working hard and not allowing Birmingh to get into any rythym

34 Mins:- Even thop Liverpool are dominating, Cavani is looking bewildered as they are not getting the ball up to him, they seem happy to play the ball about in midfield and defence, it may come back to haunt them, Liverpool are just not making the dominance count..

36 Mins:- A great early come back from Chelsea, its route one, a long ball from Kompany sees Mexes misjudge the bounce, it allowes Aguero in, you dont have to ask him twice as he rounds Reina and slips the ball into the back of the net.

38 Mins:- Birmingham get the ball, a loose ball from Luiz from the back sees Martinez get their before Ramires, he sees RVP in space but surprisingly for him he looks to panic and takes it early and it goes wide, he had time and it would have been easier to take another touch..

41 Mins:- At Wembley things are heating up a crunching battle between De Jong and De rossi see them both slide in for the same ball, they both go in 100% and both take a sore one, maybe Mrs De Jong and Mrs De Rossi will have to wait till tomorrow for some lovin...they both get up and seem ok

43 Mins:- Well De Jong seems ok as he goes in hard against Busquets, he writhes about the ground, he is clutching his knee in pain, and they get a free kick, he gets up and quickly takes the free kick, thought his leg was broken...

45 Mins:- A final chance of the half for Liverpool, finally they get the ball to Cavani, he brings Lavezzi into it from out wide, he cuts inside to the edge of the box, he lets fly and looks to be heading in but Cech dives and punches clear

46 Mins:- Half-Time at Wembley

47 Mins:- Birmingham have one last chance to open the scoring, just a long ball from Cech out wide Hermann drives down the right, he wrong foots Azpilicueta and sends an early ball in, he over hit the cross but Mata on the other side picks up, he sprints into the box, but Ivanovic was on his toes and puts in a last ditch tackle to clear, Mata appeals for a penalty but the ref waves play on, in fact he blows for half time

HALF TIME

Chelsea 1 - 1 Arsenal
Liverpool 0 - 0 Birmingham

News from inside the Birmingham dressing room:- Reus is to replace Hermann, he has done well but they need to do somthing to break down this effective Liverpool midfield

Games kick off again, only one change around the grounds as Reus comes on for Birmingham

47 Mins:- Liverpool look to set their stall out early again, Birmingham got to do somthing to break them down

49 Mins:- Liverpoll look to get Cavani more into this game and an early ball almost sees it pay off, picked up from Rolando at the back, he slides it across to Luiz who goes forward, pass to Essienm and Luiz keeps his run going, he sees Cavani in space who drills it low towards goal, Cech is there tho to gather safely, better from Liverpool

51 Mins:- A chance for Chelsea, Sagna down the right over lapping Robben, Robben cuts inside but Cole goes with him...Sagna has acres to get the ball in and pick out his cross..He plays a wonderful ball into Aguero, but Vidic gets there first and takes it off the head of Aguero

54 Mins:- Rooney looking dangerous as his shot goes just over for Arsenal, Birmingham with Reus look more dangerous down the right as he beats Azpilicueta but his cross is woeful

56 Mins:- Marcelo sprints down the left, Ronaldo not tracking back, Bale takes over and beats Alves, he cuts in and into the area, Mexes goes for the ball but gets Bale first, PENALTY the ref blows his whislte...Mexes is furious but the ref waves him away...Aguero steps up

57 Mins:- Aguero slots the ball to the keepers left, Reina went the wrong way..

60 Mins:- Rooney takes immediate action by taking off Villa and Busquets and putting on Johnson and Schweinsteiger

62 Mins:- Birmingham have a chance through nice play from Lahm and Reus down the right, between them they get passed Ivanovic and Lahm is the one to cross in, Luiz misjudges the cross and it goes over him Gotze is there to have a go but from nowhere Rolando comes in and clears off the lines as Gotze shot beats Mandanda, brilliant stuff from Rolando who has been superb so far

64 Mins:- Arsenal seem to be taking control through Schweinsteiger, he takes the ball from Terry and moves forward, he plays Johnson down the right who cuts inside, he sees Ronaldo but he steps over the ball to leave it to Rooney, however they werent on the same page and that chance goes as Kompany boots clear

67 Mins:- Liverpool still dominating, Romeu been quietly effective today, he tackles Gotze well and moves it forward to Ramires, he plays it out wide to Lavezzi and he crosses in for Cavani, but a weak header from the striker sees Cech gather easily

69 Mins:- oh dear Essien with the ball, Birmingham really frustrated as martinez goes crunching in, a misjudged tackle has hurt Essien, Martinez very lucky as he pleads his case..no card and very lucky

70 Mins:- Essien cant continue, Claudio Marchisio is on to replace him this may give Liverpool a little more drive in the middle

72 Mins:- Arsenal really taking control now but cant find the final shot, Kompany and Terry standing firm against Rooney and Ronaldo who cabnt seem to find a way through..Liverpool with another chance but its wasted by Ramires

75 Mins:- Changes at both grounds, Sneijder comes on for a rather miffed looking Rooney for Arsenal as Kroos replaces Isla at the Millenium for Liverpool

76 Mins:- Well the change looks justified as Schweinsteiger plays in Sneijder, he beats Yaya but De Jong puts in a rather nasty looking challenge, free kick just out side the box for Arsenal, Ronaldo grabs the ball from Sneijder

77 Mins:- Ronaldo free kick goes right over the wall and into the postage stamp, Neuer had no chance..game on

79 Mins:- Chelsea looking tired after putting in so much effort, yet Doc is reluctant to make any changes...Birmingham have another chance through a Mata free kick howeve he was wasteful as he went for goal,it was just too far out though and Mandanda watches it go over

82 Mins:- Marchisio picks up from Romeu, he drives forward passed Modric and lets loose a ferocious drive, it skims the top of the bar and over, could have been the late winner..so unlucky

85 Mins:- Johnson down the right, he gets past Marcelo and crosses early, Ronaldo leaps and has a bullet header tipped over from Neuer. Birmingham go close through Van Persie but his shot is easily saved by Mandanda

88 Mins A Silva corner is cleared by Kompany, Schweinsteiger picks up and plays Silva back in on the right, he crosses in and low and terry attempts to clear, however Vidic gets in the way and it ricochets of the big mans knee and loops over the stranded Neuer, so unlucky for Chelsea

90 Mins:- Into injury time as Chelsea pour men forward desperately looking for an equalizer, Fabregas dirves at the keeper who clears, only to Yaya who sees Reina pull off a brilliant doubble save, a feeble attempt by Robben and that sees Arsenal fans take a sigh of relief

92 Mins:- Liverpool and Birmingham have settled for extra time and are shouwing no signs off attacking as Liverpool play it about..Chelseas still going looking for that last minute goal. Bale tries his luck but it goes over

93 Mins:- Full Time at the Millenium

94 Mins:- desperate defendfing from Arsenal, Kompany staying up front as a high ball is launched forward, Kompany reacts well and gets above Vidic, flicks on to Aguero but Mexes of all people who by his standards has had a stinker comes in and puts in a superbly timed tackle and clears the danger, they have a quick break away but the ref blows for full time..

Full Time

Chelsea 2 - 3 Arsenal
Liverpool 0 - 0 Birmingham - Going into ET

Extra Time Kicks off at The Millenium Stadium

91 Mins:- An early shot striahgt from kick off, the ball played back to Martinez, he plays Reus out wide and he goes at Azpilicueta, a fresher Reus goes passed the fullback and crosses in RVP and Rolando both go for it but its the centre back who wins that battle and he headers clear..

93 Mins:- Kroos picks up from the clearance and takes the ball down the wing, however he is on his own, he goes passed one challenge then another and finds himself in the box, his shot is weak tho and Cech claims it..

95 Mins:- As time wears on both teams look nervous as the 1st goal could be the winner, tempo has slowed and neither willing to gamble.

97 Mins:- A long ranger from Marchisio, desperate to make an impression on this game, it goes over but still a great effort from the Italian..

100 Mins:- Cavani makes way for Torres as LSTD looks to the Spaniard to win this game and get some fresh legs on the pitch..

103 Mins:- Torres gets his first chance, marchiso picks up from Romeu, he sees Torres in space but the striker shows to much of the ball to Hummels who clears the danger..

105 Mins:- Birmingham have a chance right on half time, a ball through from Vermaelen to Modric, he plays it out wide to Mata who crosses in RVP beats Rolando this time but his header goes over..

Half Time

A quick turnaround as Liverpool get the 2nd half of extra time going

107 Mins:- Liverpool look to play keep ball as they keep the ball in their own half, passing about through Romeu, Luiz and Ivanovic..

108 Mins:- A mistake by Ivanovic, too much messing about from Liverpool as mata takes the ball away from him, he cuts in and sees Van Persie in space, he lays off for an on rushing Gotze and he smacks it off the underside of the bar to give Birmingham a late lead..

109 Mins:- Lstd takes action and tells his boys to stop r'sing about at the back and get it forward

111 Mins:- Birmingham settling for this 1-0 lead? It looks like it as they sit back and allow Liverpool to come at them, desperate times for Liverpool and Kroos tries his luck, cutting inside and firing at goal, Cech saves brilliantly and puts out for a corner

112 Mins:- The corner whipped in by Lavezzi, Rolando is up from the back and he is unstoppable as he beats everyone to the ball and powers it passed the stranded Cech...this game aint over yet...

114 Mins just over 5 minutes left, is their a winner in this game, its all very cagey agaiin as Birmingham turn to play keep ball

116 Mins:- Birmingham are through, they kept the ball but Modric sees space and play RVP through, he is one on one with Mandand after splitting the two CBs

117 Mins:- Mandanda stands up well and closes RVP down early, the angle is too tight for RVP and shoots into the side netting

119 Mins:- last chance for Liverpool, they drive forward asnd Marchisio picks up his shot has come off Vermaelen and out for a corner

120 Mins:- Goal!! Liverpool from the corner, Lavezzi fires the ball across, Torres flicks it on and its Ivanovic thats their to slot it into the back of the net, it wasnt pretty but he doesnt care, Liverpool have one foot in the final they just have to hold out for the final miute or two

121 Mins:- Late drama at The Millenium, Birmingham drive up the pitch, Gotze take it on and goes into the Liverpool box, Mandanda comes to meet and he goes to ground, looks like he got the ball but no the ref has blown his whistle...is it a dive....is it a penalty.......its a penalty the ref has givenm a penalty to Birmingham in the final seconds of the game..RVP has the ball

122 Mins:- Mandanda, Ivanovic, Luiz crowd the ref they aitn happy, in the background Rolando is doing his best to wind RVP up

123 Mins:- RVP calmly sticks it away, he runs away and is swarmed by the Birmingham players, its the last kick of the ball as the ref blows for full time, this incredible game is going to penalties...

Liverpool win the toss and decide to take the 1st penalty

Lavezzi

1 - 0

RVP

1 - 1

Luiz

2 - 1

Mata

2 - 2

Torres

3 - 2

Reus

Mandanda saves

3 - 2

Kroos

Cech saves

3 - 2

Gotze

Over the bar

3 - 2

Marchisio

4 - 2

Liverpool are through to the FA CUp Final after a tremendous game and fantastic nail biting penalty shoot out win against Birmingham