MY ACCOUNT
The FA Cup semi-final line-up is complete after Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Liverpool booked their spots in the final four.
While life was relatively comfortable for three of the contenders, the Reds were made to fight hard at Championship side Nottingham Forest.
But who was the pick of the bunch on Saturday and Sunday? We picked out our four stars of the quarter-final weekend.
Thiago Silva
Calm heads were needed for Chelsea at Middlesbrough and veteran centre-half Thiago Silva provided just that.
In a hostile arena against the side who dumped both Manchester United and Tottenham out of this season’s tournament, the Brazilian showed all of his class.
He sniffed out attacks, marshalled the defence and even started the move that led to Romelu Lukaku’s opener.
Ex-Boro defender Jonathan Woodgate said: “He had a pair of slippers on he was that good. He’s so focused, so calm on the ball, intercepts, reads the game. It was an outstanding performance.
“I feel lucky to watch him live, 37 years old, still playing. He played on Wednesday night and he’s just played again today! He’s magnificent. Doesn’t give the ball away.”
Wilfried Zaha
Crystal Palace continue to impress under Patrick Vieira with a team full of bright young talents.
But there is still space for talisman Wilfried Zaha to shine and he was excellent as the Eagles thrashed Everton 4-0.
A goal and assist helped Palace to their first semi-final since 2016 at a raucous Selhurst Park.
After the game, he said: “It’s amazing. Obviously it’s crazy it is the first year the team have played together, but you can see the progress already. I think over time when the team gels together more there is even more to come.
“This shows what direction the club are going in. The players we have brought in, how we play, it just shows what we have got for the future so the club is going in a good direction.”
Phil Foden
An improved second half helped Manchester City overcome Southampton 4-1 at St Mary’s — and two subs made the difference.
Phil Foden came on alongside Riyad Mahrez with just over an hour played and helped City book a semi-final spot for the fourth successive season.
He was busy on the ball, causing the Saints all sorts of problems as two goals in three minutes put the tie to bed.
The second of those — and City’s third overall — was a Foden special, lashing a bouncing ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Pep Guardiola reckons the starlet is one of the only players in the world able to score that goal and there is little doubting the talent that the 21-year-old possesses.
Diogo Jota
When Liverpool were desperate for a winner to avoid extra-time against Nottingham Forest, up stepped Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese forward is fast becoming a cult hero at Anfield and his cup exploits will only further that.
He turned Kostas Tsimikas’ cross into the back of the net at full stretch for his 19th goal of the season.
Jurgen Klopp said: “Oh what a player! What a boy! And this goal was exceptional. It was a good cross from Kostas [Tsimikas] but he stretched for it, reached and scored the goal. It was massive.
“It just shows after his injury, he needed a little bit to get back on track and I hope he is really coming back healthy from the international break because he looks like he is better.”
