Two late goals from Olivier Giroud secured Arsenal a first FA Cup semifinal in five years after a hard-fought yet ultimately emphatic 4-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
It’s a scoreline that certainly doesn’t do Everton’s contribution to a pulsating encounter justice. As they did in the Premier League encounter at the same venue earlier in the season, the Merseysiders gave Arsenal plenty of problems. Mesut Ozil had opened the scoring in a 1-1 draw that day and, restored to the starting lineup after a much-needed rest, he put the home side in front in the opening 10 minutes with his first goal since that clash in December. But Everton deservedly pulled level through Romelu Lukaku’s close-range finish just past the half-hour mark. And they might have gone in front, too, but Ross Barkley fired over soon after the interval.
It proved to be a costly miss as Arsenal went onto storm to victory. Gareth Barry’s sloppy challenge on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brought an obvious penalty that Mikel Arteta twice converted successfully to put Arsenal back in front. And Giroud, whose encroachment just after coming on had required the retaken penalty, made an effective argument that he should have started in place of Yaya Sanogo when producing two clinical finishes as Arsenal showed their class in the final 10 minutes.
Despite the second leg of their Champions League tie with Bayern Munich to come on Tuesday, Arsene Wenger elected to field a strong side. It was a decision that was richly rewarded. While their chances of winning the Premier League and Champions League have suffered major blows in recent weeks, they will now be heading to Wembley within sight of ending that much-discussed nine-year trophy drought. Having started a week that could define their season in such impressive fashion, the mood around the Emirates will be greatly uplifted following a dismal defeat to Stoke last time out.
More to follow.
Arsenal vs Everton 8.3.14 Ozil goal(1-0) by HDPeak
Arsenal vs Everton 8.3.14 - Lukaku goal(1-1) by HDPeak
Arsenal Vs Everton - 8.3.14 - Arteta Goal (2-1) by HDPeak
VIDEO Arsenal 4-1 Everton: Highlights; Two Late Giroud Goals Secure Gunners' Place in FA Cup Semifinals
No comments:
Post a Comment