THE WINNERS THE LOSERS

20 Monday, April 23, 2018 SPORTS Chelsea book final Arsenal beat against Man United West Ham FA Cup

Lacazette celebrates scoring the fourth for The Gunners (Pic courtesy: theguardian)

London late flurry of goals OTHER SCORES Asaw Arsenal secure Man City 5 Swansea City 0 a 4-1 win over West Stoke City 1 Burnley 1 Ham in their first game since Arsene Wenger revealed he is stepping down in the first half but they had as boss. the game’s first real chance It took the Gunners 51 as Laurent Koscielny headed minutes to open the scoring narrowly wide from Granit on a day of high emotion at the Xhaka’s corner. Emirates as Nacho Monreal Arnautovic latched onto fired in his sixth goal of the West Ham goalkeeper Joe season in all competitions. Hart’s punt forward before Marko Arnautovic drew bursting into the box a few the Hammers level with a fine minutes later, only to be strike in the 64th minute but dispossessed by Shkodran after a defensive error saw Mustafi before he could get Aaron Ramsey put Arsenal a shot away. back in front, a late Alexandre The Austrian went close Lacazette brace made sure of again in the 15th minute as the points. his fierce angled shot was Wenger made the surprise beaten away by Gunners announcement on Friday goalkeeper David Ospina morning that he will bring the after some shaky defending curtain down on his Gunners from the hosts. tenure at the end of the season Cheikhou Kouyate then after almost 22 years in charge. headed onto the top of the Arsenal did not put on a bar as West Ham began to vintage display for their boss dominate. (PA Sport) Barcelona lift Copa del Rey trophy

Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring the opening goal at Wembley (Pic courtesy: AFP)

Wembley Ex-Chelsea boss Jose substitute Nathan Redmond an outstanding last-ditch livier Giroud proved the Mourinho lies in wait for came close, but Morata headed challenge to deny man-of- scourge of Southampton Antonio Conte’s men on the Blues through to a second the-match Hazard after meek onceO again, setting Chelsea on May 19, when they can atone successive FA Cup final as defending from Ryan Bertrand, course for FA Cup semifinal for last year’s shock FA Cup Saints’ dreams of adding to with Willian then lifting a well- success and a mouth-watering final defeat to Arsenal -- and their 1976 triumph died. placed free kick over the bar. clash with Manchester perhaps give their manager There were plenty of empty Mario Lemina’s tame United. a victorious send-off as seats in the Southampton end effort 25 minutes in was FC Barcelona’s players and team members celebrate (Pic A week after coming off speculation continues over his on Sunday -- although perhaps Southampton’s first shot on courtesy: Xinhua) the bench to net a brace and future. that is no surprise when you target, but by now they had at Madrid rare strike from Iniesta which inspire a remarkable comeback Chelsea were firm favourites factor in the terrible football least looked to have found a arcelona won their fourth drew the broadest smiles in a win at embattled Saints in the to win this semifinal and that leaves them 18th in the modicum of composure. successive Copa del Rey one-sided romp at the Wanda Premier League, the 31-year- Willian hit the crossbar early Premier League and facing the Still, Saints’ midfield was Bwith a merciless 5-0 thrashing Metropolitano. old returned to haunt Mark in a one-sided first half, yet drop. being too easily bypassed and of Sevilla as departing hero The Spanish great is set Hughes’ side at Wembley. Saints managed to batten down Such dreadful form led last Giroud came close with an Andres Iniesta joined the usual to depart for China at the Southampton’s first FA Cup the hatches. year’s EFL Cup finalists to be acrobatic hooked effort as half- suspects on the scoresheet. end of the campaign and semifinal appearance since But just seconds after gripped by apprehension early time approached. Luis Suarez netted twice he showed characteristic 2003 ended in disappointment half-time that hard work on as Chelsea flew out of the Chelsea surprisingly failed in the first half, Lionel Messi timing by popping up with a as Giroud showed impressive was undone as Giroud was blocks, with Eden Hazard to get a shot on target in the grabbed his 40th of the season delicate effort before tearing composure to slot home a goal all too easily allowed to jink flashing just wide before first half, yet seconds into the and Philippe Coutinho marked up following an emotional added to by substitute Alvaro through and turn home a smart Willian struck the crossbar second half they managed it. his first final for the club with a tribute from the Barca Morata as Chelsea ran out 2-0 individual goal. after cutting inside. And it put them ahead. (PA successful penalty, but it was a faithful. (Espn) victors. Southampton rallied as Maya Yoshida produced Sport)