FA Cup round-up: A week after finding himself on the wrong end of a headbutt from Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, David Meyler left his former club Sunderland feeling black and blue as three goals in nine second-half minutes booked Hull's trip to Wembley for a semi-final clash with Sheffield United.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder headbutted the corner flag in celebration after sweeping home the second of his side’s three quickfire strikes which turned a largely dismal FA Cup quarter-final into one of great celebration for the home side who cantered to a 3-0 win.
Tigers captain Curtis Davies headed his side into a 68th-minute lead after rising highest to meet a Tom Huddlestone free-kick, before Meyler supplied a cool finish four minutes later after chasing down a punt upfield from George Boyd.
And the Black Cats’ agony was complete in the 75th minute when Lee Cattermole, experiencing an afternoon to forget, played a shocking back-pass which left the lurking Matty Fryatt with the simplest of chances to score.
It could have been worse for the visitors, who had to rely on goalkeeper Oscar Ustari saving Sone Aluko’s 33rd-minute penalty in order to keep them level at the end of a largely forgettable first period.
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet will at least now be able to focus on his side’s battle to stay in the top flight after the distraction of their knock-out heroics, which saw them lose 3-1 to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley last week.
Ryan Flynn and John Brayford struck second-half goals as League One side Sheffield United booked themselves a date at Wembley with a 2-0 win over Charlton at Bramall Lane.
Winger Flynn broke the deadlock in the 65th minute and right back Brayford’s deflected shot less than two minutes later ensured a deserved 2-0 victory for the resurgent Blades over Championship strugglers Charlton.
Nigel Clough’s side become the first team from the third tier to reach the last four of the competition since Wycombe in 2001 and extended their remarkable winning sequence to nine matches in all competitions.
The Blades were spiralling towards relegation when former Derby boss Clough took over in November, but five months later the club are daring to believe a late run on the play-offs is on, as well as now securing their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 11 years.
United had swept aside Aston Villa, Fulham and Nottingham Forest in previous rounds and save for a competitive first period, a determined Charlton could do little to stem the red and white tide.
Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Wigan in the second semi-final as they bid to end their nine-year wait for silverware.
FA semi-final draw: Hull v Sheffield United; Wigan v Arsenal.
Ties will take place at Wembley on Saturday, April 12th and Sunday, April 13th.
