FA Cup semi-final, Wembley Stadium – Arsenal 2 (Sanchez 39, 105+1) Reading 1(McCleary 54)
Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final for a record 19th time but they needed an extra-time howler from goalkeeper Adam Federici to squeeze past a game Reading side.
The Championship side had done well to get themselves on level terms, Garath McCleary’s goal cancelling out Alexis Sanchez’s well-taken opener to force extra time.
But on the stroke of half time of extra time, Federici somehow allowed Sanchez’s shot to squirm through his hands and beneath his legs and the Gunners held on for victory.
It was a cruel way for Reading to go out and Federici, who had previously made a string of fine saves, left the field in tears.
A strangely lacklustre Arsenal had their chances to win the tie before extra time, both Gabriel Paulista and Aaron Ramsey spurning glorious chances.
But the manner of the victory will matter little to Gunners fans, who will be celebrating reaching yet another FA Cup final and are one match away from defending their trophy against either Aston Villa or Liverpool.
KEY MOMENTS
8’ – GOOD SAVE FEDERICI: Mertesacker gets a strong head on Ozil’s corner but the keeper reacts well to make the save.
18’ – OZIL CLOSE: He flashes a left-footed free-kick just wide of Federici’s left post.
39’ – GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Reading: A lovely ball from Ozil picks out Sanchez and he controls beautifully before poking the ball past Federici.
54’ – GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Reading: Garath McCleary’s shot is deflected off Gibbs before Szczesny flaps at it before catching it over the line.
69’ – GREAT SAVE FEDERICI: He tips Gabriel’s powerful header against the bar.
73’ – CHANCE GABRIEL: He puts a free header from Ozil’s free kick wide. Should have scored.
84’ – RAMSEY HITS THE POST: The midfielder sees Federici save his initial shot before he slams it against the post. 103’ – GOOD SAVE FEDERICI: Ramsey’s shot hits the keeper and deflects inches over the bar.
105+1’ – GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Reading. An awful moment for Federici as he lets Sanchez’s relatively tame shot through his hands and between his legs.
KEY STATS
Alexis Sanchez scores his third goal at Wembley this season.
The last time Arsenal lost an FA Cup semi-final to a team from outside the top flight was in 1973 against Sunderland.
The last four games between Reading and Arsenal have seen 27 goals scored.
Only George Ramsay (6 with Aston Villa) has won the FA Cup as a manager more times than Arsene Wenger.
Each of the last three times Arsenal have faced second tier opposition in the semi-final they’ve gone on to win the trophy (1998, 2003 and 2014).
TALKING POINT
Poor Adam Federici: Left the field in tears and will sadly be remembered for the howler that gifted Arsenal the victory, not for some fine saves prior to that.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND PLAYER RATINGS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal): A close toss-up between himself and Mesut Ozil but his goals mean that it is Arsenal, not Reading, who reach the final.
PLAYER RATINGS
Reading: Federici 6, Gunter 6, Obita 7, Pearce 7, Hector 6, Williams 6, Chalobah 7, McCleary 7, Robson-Kanu 7, Mackie 6, Pogrebnyak 6. SUBS: Karacan 6, Cox 6, Yakubu 6.
Arsenal: Szczesny 6, Debuchy 6, Mertesacker 5, Koscielny 6, Gibbs 6, Coquelin 6, Ramsey 7, Cazorla 7, Ozil 7, Alexis 8, Welbeck 6. SUBS: Gabriel 6, Walcott 6, Giroud 6.
Eurosport – Fraser Masefield – 4/18/15, 6:58 PM
