The Joys and Woes of an FA Cup Semi-Final!
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- Written by Darren Douglas
Just a few weeks and games remain in the season, every upcoming game is tagged with a reminder that at this stage all fixtures are must-win and of intense importance. The FA Cup semi-finals are in some ways like a paradox, it is make or break for the next few days, on the one hand there is tantalising glory, and then on the other, bitter disappointment.
The pre-match hyping had both semi-finals reasonably well matched, and all four clubs concerned were in relatively good form. Arsenal had many reasons to be optimistic before taking on Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. It was the first visit to the new version of the national stadium for the Gunners, and only one defeat since mid-December had given fans like myself a reaffirmed faith in our ability to win trophies.
With Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all otherwise engaged, attention turned to the fight at the other end of the table this weekend. Going into the games nine were still in with a decent shout of going down, making it the closest relegation battle for years. 
Newcastle United is a sort of football purgatory. A place where players endure torment and damnation before eventually being put out of their misery. 
Laurie Cunningham’s name may not ring a bell but it should do. He was the first black footballer to wear an England shirt, the first black player to represent his country in a competitive international and the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid.