Arsenal gunned down

Manchester United shattered Arsenal’s hopes of a third successive FA Cup triumph with a 1-0 victory over the holders in a ferocious semi-final at Villa Park on Saturday. Paul Scholes’ well taken 32nd-minute strike put United through to a final in Cardiff on May 22 where they will start strong favourites against either first division Millwall or Sunderland, who meet in the other semi-final on Sunday.

United’s gutsy victory, achieved without injured striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, was especially sweet as it kept alive their only realistic hope of winning a trophy this season and ended their bitter London rivals’ aim of matching United’s 1999 trophy treble.

Arsenal, whose gamble of leaving key striker Thierry Henry on the bench failed, hit the woodwork twice through midfielders Edu and Patrick Vieira.

Chelsea close gap on Arsenal

Chelsea closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to four points on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink followed his hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week with the goal from a Damien Duff pass in the 38th minute. (Reuters)