FA Cup semi-finals take centre-stage

The plum fixtures in this weekend's football programme in England are the two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium. This afternoon, Arsenal take on London rivals Chelsea and Lancaster clubs, Everton and Manchester United, face each other in tomorrow's other semi.

So, this year's final, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, will be another North-South clash.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League − another feather in the cap of the Premier League. The Red Devils are also favourites to retain the domestic title as they lead the standings and have a game in hand.

In the Premier League this season, Arsenal toppled Chelsea 2-1 (Van Persie 2 − Djorou own goal) and the return is set for May 9.

Manchester United have the upperhand over Everton, drawing 1-1 (Fletcher − Fellaini) away and winning 1-0 (Ronaldo penalty) at Old Trafford.

Of the four FA Cup semi-finalists, Manchester United are the only team to avoid a replay in the previous rounds.

On paper, Chelsea had the easiest passage as they didn't play a side from the Premier League so far. Arsenal and United have only conceded two goals in this year's FA Cup competition as results below denote:

Arsenal: Plymouth (home) 3-1; Cardiff (away) 0-0, (home) 4-0; Burnley (home) 3-0; Hull (home) 2-1.

Chelsea: Southend (home) 1-1, (away) 4-1; Ipswich (home) 3-1; Watford (away) 3-1; Coventry (away) 2-0.

Everton: Macclesfield (away) 1-0; Liverpool (away) 1-1, (home) 1-0; Aston Villa (home) 3-1; Middlesbrough (home) 2-1.

Manchester United: Southampton (away) 3-0; Tottenham (home) 2-1; Derby (away) 4-1; Fulham (away) 4-0.

Manchester United have reached the semi-finals for the 26th time in their history, the same as Arsenal. Everton will be making their 24th semi-final appearance while Chelsea are in the last four for the 18th time.

United have played in 18 finals, one more than Arsenal. They lifted the FA Cup trophy 11 times to top the all-time winners' list, just ahead of the Gunners who have won it 10 times.

Everton reached the ultimate showdown 12 times and have five triumphs attached to their name. Chelsea played in eight finals and won four of them.

United will be keen to add to their fantastic record of 13 successive FA Cup semi-finals without defeat, a run that stretches back to 1975-76.

Their last semi-final upset came in 1969-70 against Leeds: 0-0 (Hillsborough), replay 0-0 (Villa Park), second replay 0-1 (Burnden Park, Bolton).

Head to head

In past FA Cup duels, Arsenal lead Chelsea 8-4, with six of these ties going into a replay.

The last time these two London rivals met was in 2003-04, Arsenal prevailing 2-1 (Vieira, Edu − Gudjohnsen) at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round. In the 2001-02 final, the Gunners beat the Blues 2-0 (Parlour, Ljungberg) at the Millennium Stadium.

Manchester United and Everton met on 10 previous occasions in the FA Cup. None of these ties finished in a draw and the record is finely-poised as the two teams have won five matches apiece.

United and Everton fought it out for the ultimate prize in two of their last three cup duels.

In 1995, Everton clinched the FA Cup thanks to a Paul Rideout goal while Norman Whiteside was United's hero when netting the winner in the 1985 final.

Head-to-head meetings:
2004-05 Everton-United 0-2
1994-95 Everton-United 1-0
1984-85 United-Everton 1-0
1982-83 United-Everton 1-0
(Reds went on to win cup)
1968-69 United-Everton 0-1
1965-66 Everton-United 1-0
(Blues went on to win cup)
1956-57 United-Everton 1-0
1952-53 Everton-United 2-1
1908-09 United-Everton 1-0
(Reds went on to win cup)
1902-03 Everton-United 3-1

Ancelotti for Hiddink?

Chelsea and Arsenal lie third and fourth respectively in the Premier League.

Chelsea, currently under interim manager Guus Hiddink, have being linked with a move for Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti next season.

Hiddink has said he will not stay on as Chelsea manager beyond the end of this season as he wants to continue his job with the Russian national team.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is glad to have Cesc Fabregas back for the final phase of the campaign. However, key defender William Gallas is sidelined for the rest of the season with injury.

Robin van Persie (Arsenal) and Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) are the leading scorers in this season's FA Cup with four goals.

The managers of the other semi-finalists, Alex Ferguson and David Moyes, both remarked that the decision to stage both semi-finals at Wembley has devalued the FA Cup.

Everton striker Louis Saha will be keen to face his former team-mates.

Two other Everton players who enjoyed a great time at Old Trafford are captain Phil Neville and goalkeeper Tim Howard.