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Five classic FA Cup semi-finals

Ahead of this weekend's FA Cup semi-finals Sports Mole looks back at some of the most entertaining fixtures in previous competitions.

The FA Cup heads to Wembley this weekend as the four teams still in contention to lift the trophy meet in the semi-finals, knowing that they could be just two matches away from securing the silverware.

The only Championship side still in the competition, Reading, will take on defending champions Arsenal tomorrow, before Liverpool come up against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Here, Sports Mole looks back at some of the more memorable last-four meetings in the FA Cup.


1. Hull City 5-3 Sheffield United - Wembley 2014

Just last year, the FA Cup provided one of the most entertaining semi-finals in recent history as Steve Bruce's Hull City side came up against giant-killers Sheffield United of League One.

The Blades had knocked out a number of higher-ranked opponents along the way to reach the last two, including Premier League sides Aston Villa and Fulham.

Hull were the favourites to beat their Yorkshire rivals, but it was Nigel Clough's men that took the lead twice, with Jose Baxter opening the scoring before Stefan Scougall put them ahead again just before half time.

Sheffield United's Jose Baxter celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Hull during their FA Cup semi final match on April 13, 2014© Getty Images

However, the third-tier side's cup dreams were shattered in the second half as the Premier League side netted four goals, including a late strike from David Meyler after Jamie Murphy had got the Blades back in striking distance.

However, Hull went on to lose to Arsenal in the final, throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 after extra time.


2. Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool - Villa Park 1990

Liverpool would have been confident of reaching the 1990 FA Cup final when they were drawn against Crystal Palace in the last four, having crushed the Eagles 9-0 in the league just a few months earlier.

It all appeared to be going to plan when Ian Rush opened the scoring less than 15 minutes in, but Mark Bright and Gary O'Reilly scored after the break to put Palace in front.

Liverpool rallied late on when Steve McMahon levelled the scores inside the final 10 minutes, before John Barnes netted from the penalty spot just two minutes later.

The London side forced extra time though when Andy Gray equalised inside the last two minutes, before current Palace manager Alan Pardew found the back of the net with a header in extra time, sending the club through to its first FA Cup final.

Palace put in another good performance in the final against Manchester United, coming from behind again to force extra time, eventually earning a replay, but it was Sir Alex Ferguson's side who lifted the trophy after a 1-0 win at Wembley.


3. Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Arsenal - Wembley 1991

Derby matches are always an entertaining affair in cup competitions, and the 1991 semi-final between North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal was no exception.

It looked like Spurs were going to embarrass their neighbours when they opened up a two-goal lead inside the first 10 minutes thanks to goals from Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne.

Alan Smith scored on the stroke of half time to give the Gunners some hope, and they pushed hard throughout the second half as they tried to get back on level terms.

However, Lineker was on target again with just over 10 minutes to play, sending Spurs through to the final, where they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 after extra time.


4. Liverpool 2-1 Everton - Wembley 2012

Another derby took place at Wembley in 2012 when the Merseyside clubs, Liverpool and Everton, went head to head at the national stadium.

Liverpool had already claimed one trophy that season, beating Cardiff City in the League Cup final, but it looked like their hopes of a second were slipping away when Nikica Jelavic put the Toffees ahead.

The Reds were gifted an equaliser in the second half when Luis Suarez got the better of Sylvain Distin as the defender underhit a back pass, leaving the Uruguayan to tap in.

Extra time was looming when Andy Carroll needed a rare goal during his stint with Liverpool, heading in from a free kick just a couple of minutes before the full-time whistle after Seamus Coleman had fouled Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool were unable to pick up their second piece of silverware though as they were beaten by Chelsea in the final a few weeks later.


5. Sunderland 2-1 Arsenal - Hillsborough 1973

Arsenal were heavy favourites going into their semi-final against then-Second Division side Sunderland back in the 1972-73 FA Cup campaign.

It was Sunderland's best run in the cup for 16 seasons, and they took advantage early on when Vic Halom opened the scoring on a muddy Hillsborough pitch.

Billy Hughes doubled Sunderland's lead when he got the better of the four-time cup winners with a looping header, while Charlie George's late strike for the Gunners was nothing more than a consolation.

The victory set Sunderland up for a final appearance against Leeds United, beating the top-flight side to become the first team from a lower division to win the cup in 40 years.

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Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal celebrates scoring the opening goal with Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on April 11, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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