Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Edin Hazard (left) celebrates after scoring a penalty during the English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London, yesterday.
LONDON: Arsenal cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals as a late brace from substitute Olivier Giroud sealed a 4-1 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.
Arsene Wenger’s side remain on course to finally end their nine-year trophy drought thanks to an enterprising quarter-final display in the spring sunshine in north London.
Mesut Ozil ended his three-month wait for a goal to give the hosts a perfect start before Romelu Lukaku’s equaliser.
Once Mikel Arteta had converted a penalty midway through the second half there was only ever going to be one winner and France forward Giroud’s late double ensured Arsenal can look forward to a last-four date at Wembley in April.
With Arsenal’s Champions League hopes hanging by a slender thread -- they travel to Bayern Munich on Tuesday trailing 2-0 from the first leg -- and their Premier League title charge fading, the FA Cup could represent their best chance for silverware this season. Everton boss Roberto Martinez is no stranger to glory in the competition having masterminded unfancied Wigan’s Cup final win over Manchester City last season.
But his bid to earn a repeat with Everton looked in trouble from the moment Germany midfielder Ozil slid home the seventh minute opener for Arsenal.
Santi Cazorla made the most of a slip by James McCarthy and his perfectly-weighted pass ensured the out-of-form Ozil scored his first goal since December.
Ironically Ozil’s last goal came against Everton and you could see his confidence lifted as well as that of his teammates.
Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo saw his shot beaten out by Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also went close inside the opening quarter. Arsenal were looking to expose stand-in Robles at every opportunity, but they were caught by a quick counter-attack that ended in Everton’s 32nd minute equaliser. AFP
