London: Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura struck as Watford ended Arsenal’s two-year reign as FA Cup holders with a brilliant 2-1 quarterfinal victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Ighalo put Watford ahead in the 50th minute before Troy Deeney teed up Algeria winger Guedioura to slam a right-foot screamer into the top-right corner, with Danny Welbeck’s 88th-minute reply coming too late. Triumphant in the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015, Arsenal were beaten in the competition for the first time since a 0-1 fifth-round defeat by Blackburn Rovers in February 2013.
It left them facing the prospect of a trophyless season, with Arsene Wenger’s side — booed off at the final whistle — eight points off the pace in the Premier League and 0-2 down to Barcelona.
Lukaku nets brace, Everton in semis
Romelu Lukaku scored two superb goals to give Everton a 2-0 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over his former club Chelsea, for whom Diego Costa was sent off.
As a fractious match neared its conclusion, Lukaku took a Tom Cleverley pass in his stride after 77 minutes and powered past four defenders before burying an unstoppable shot into the back of the visitors’ goal. Just five minutes later, after neat passes from Gareth Barry and Ross Barkley, it was left to Lukaku to deliver the killer blow with another emphatic finish.
