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IN PICS: Arsenal reach FA Cup final, Empoli stun AC Milan

Sport360 staff 21:37 23/04/2017

A highly entertaining and promising day in the football calendar saw visitors Manchester United beat Burnley 2-0 in  the Premier League, a goal-fest for Lazio and a shocker for AC Milan in Serie A.

Here, we take you through all the best action from across Europe.

FA CUP

A cracker of a game looked like it would end in Manchester City’s favour when Sergio Aguero chipped the ball over Petr Cech in the 62nd minute to give Pep Guardiola ‘s team the lead, but it was Arsenal that advanced to the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Arsenal equalised after Alex Oxlade Chamberlain provided a sublime through ball for Nacho Monreal to finish first time and send the match to extra-time at 1-1.

Alexis Sanchez was the man who took Arsenal to glory after an Ozil free-kick delivered inside City’s box was mis-hit by Welbeck and set up for Sanchez to send past Claudio Bravo. It stayed 2-1 despite City’s desperate attempts and Arsenal will now face Chelsea in what will be the former’s 20th FA Cup final.

PREMIER LEAGUE

A job well done, and in the most efficient manner saw Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United get three points at Burnley courtesy of a 2-0 win.

A swift counter-attack from Manchester United ended with Anthony Martial scoring his 25th club goal to give them the lead after Ander Herrera’s superb through ball.

Wayne Rooney added United’s second in the 39th minute and the win means United now have 63 points from 32 games, and sit fifth place, a point behind city rivals Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were on the receiving end of Christian Benteke’s brace that secured a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace, after Philippe Coutinho had put the Reds in front.

SCOTTISH CUP 

Callum McGregor’s goal early in the first-half and Scott Sinclair’s penalty soon after the break meant Celtic were by and large the better team and now progress to the Final of the Scottish Cup.

They will now face Aberdeen and look set to get the treble thanks to this win over their Old Firm rivals.

SERIE A

AC Milan were left stunned by Empoli in Italy, losing 2-1. Levan Mchedlidze scored the opening goal for Empoli, before Mame Thiam made it 2-0.

Milan did respond with a goal, Gianluca Lapadula striking past Empoli goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, and were given the chance to level from the spot, only for Suso to miss. The visitors held on to inflict a shock 2-1 defeat.

Elsewhere, a stunning first-half display from Lazio saw them humiliate Palermo at the Stadio Olimpico. After Ciro Immobile got the first two goals, it was Balde Diao Keita who stole the show, scoring the fastest hat-trick in Serie A in 42 years.

Keita scored in the 21st, 24th and the 26th minute in a blitz on the Palermo goal. Palermo did bounce back with two Andrea Rispoli goals, but that was that for them. Luca Crecco added to the misery with a 90-minute goal to make it 6-2.

MOST DOMINATING WIN – LAZIO 6-2 PALERMO

Lazio’s hammering of Palermo not only gave them the three points, it helped them get back to winning ways and climb one spot to the fourth position in the Serie A table. A brace from Ciro Immobile and then a memorable hat-trick from Balde Diao Keita was the highlight.

BEST CONTEST – ARSENAL 2-1 MANCHESTER CITY

After Chelsea and Tottenham gave us a thrilling semi-final on Saturday, it was now the turn of Arsenal and Manchester City to earn a place in the FA Cup Final. It took a lot out of Arsene Wenger’s men but eventually they fought their way through.

Arsenal looked like they had desire, belief and hunger and perhaps that helped them a lot. But it wasn’t easy for them, more so because it was City who took the lead first and were threatening every now and then. A testing fixture for both teams, ended with the Gunners on top.

PLAYER OF THE DAY – BALDE DIAO KEITA

This 22-year old Senegalese star had an amazing time on the pitch against Palermo. Three goals in just six minutes make him the fastest to record a hat-trick in Serie A in 42 years.

His first goal was while trying to shrug off defenders and then slotting it in. The next a well-taken penalty and his third the best of the lot, a splendid finish.

GOAL OF THE DAY (ANTHONY MARTIAL)

After being put under pressure by Burnley, when Manchester United got hold of the ball, they made sure they break free and finish with a goal. That is exactly what happened.

Martial covered space quickly, laid in a pass for Herrera who provided him back with the assist and then finished the move with perfection. It all happened thick and fast.

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