FA Cup: It's Citizens vs. Lactics In Final

The semfinal round of England's FA Cup took place over the weekend, with both games contested at London's Wembley Stadium.

In Saturday's contest, which was marred by "fan" violence, Shaun Maloney (25') and Callum McManaman (78') each delivered a goal as Wigan Athletic defeated Millwall from the League Championship 2-0.

In the Sunday match, Samir Nasri (35') and Sergio Aguero (47') each scored once as Manchester City knocked off defending cup-holders Chelsea 2-1.

The Lactics and Citizens will square off at Wembley in the final on May 11 with the winner (barring qualifying for European competition) heading to the group stage for next season's Europa League.  It is expected that the Citizens will qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League group stage and that the Lactics---who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League---will play in the Europa League's group stage, win or lose.

This year's final is Wigan's first (since being founded in 1932) and Manchester City's tenth (the Citizens have won the trophy five times, most recently in 2011).

See You At The Unemployment Line, Stale

After losing your team's FA Cup match on the road against a Conference National club (three levels and 59 places below Wolves) today, you deserved to be canned.

FA Cup: Blades Advance To Third Round; Stanley Battle To Stalemate With Oxford United, Set Up Replay; Late Goals Rescue Blades

A roundup of Saturday second-round action from England's FA Cup of game involving clubs being followed this season on this blog:

At Accrington, England:

In a battle of League Two clubs, Michael Raynes scored a stoppage-time equalizer (90'4), enabling Oxford United to gain a 3-3 road draw with Accrington Stanley and force a home replay.  The visitors' goal came two minutes after Lee Molyneux had scored to give Stanley what proved to be a short-lived lead.

At Sheffield, England:

Shaun Miller scored twice in the final minutes (90', 90'+5) as Sheffield United (League One) came from behind to upend visiting Port Vale (League Two).

FA Cup: Blades, Stanley Pick Up Road Wins To Advance

Action from the first round proper of England's FA Cup continued on Saturday, including two games involving clubs being followed this season on this blog.

At Warton, England:

Will Hatfield delivered a quadruple (32', 45', 77', 86') as visiting Accrington Stanley (League Two) pounded AFC Fylde (Norther Premier League Premier Division, in the seventh level of soccer in England) 4-1.

At Horfield, England:

Nick Blackman (53') and Chris Porter (62') each tallied once as Sheffield United (League One) came from behind to overtake Bristol Rovers (League Two) 2-1 on the road.

FA Cup: Hatters Eliminate U's On Road

At Cambridge, England:

In a battle of English Conference National clubs, and the only contest involving a club followed on this blog, Luton Town shut out Cambridge United 2-0 on the road Saturday in English FA Cup fourth-qualifying-round action.  The Hatters advanced to the first round proper of the tournament in which Chelsea are the defending champions.

All right, one of TWO tournaments (the UEFA Champions League being the other) in which the Blues are defending champions.