After Manchester United beat Norwich 2-1 in extra time Saturday, Arsenal toppled Sheffield United 2-1, Chelsea defeated Leicester City 1-0 and defending champion Manchester City defeated Newcastle 2-0 on Sunday.

In the semifinals next month at Wembley in London, Manchester City face Arsenal – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola assistant in the City before became the manager of the Gunners in December – and Manchester United face Chelsea.

City crushed Arsenal 3-0 two weeks ago when the Premier League was back behind closed doors for coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, Arsenal needed a goal in second-half injury time from loan midfielder Dani Ceballos to advance in Sheffield. It was after the Blades leveled in the 87th minute through David McGoldrick.

Sheffield United – an impressive eighth in the Premier League after being promoted from the second tier – has two goals disallowed for offside. Both times they seem to be the right decision.

Relief for Arteta

Arsenal sit under Sheffield United in the top flight but win for the second game in a row. It also leads with 13 FA Cup titles, one more than Manchester United.

“I am very pleased with the results. This is a difficult place to come and get a victory,” Arteta told reporters. “After conceding so late, showing the reaction was not easy and it was very pleasant and we returned to Wembley.

“This is a great opportunity to try and win titles and play in Europe. We still have to improve in many fields but every victory gives you credit and encouragement. Hopefully we now have momentum.”

Chelsea currently occupy the Champions League final place in fourth, one position behind Leicester. But Leicester are now struggling, not winning since the return of English football.

And top scorer Jamie Vardy hasn’t found the back of the goal since the restart.

Chelsea benefited from better opportunities, with Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel making a good save to deny US international Christian Pulisic in the first half.

It was not the Blues’ best game, but Chelsea improved after the break and won in the 63rd minute when Ross Barkley met Willian’s cross for his third goal of the season.

Willy Caballero flapped in a Chelsea cross in the final minutes but defender Cesar Azpilicueta saved him by blocking Caglar Soyuncu’s header.

Then Schmeichel denied Barkley with Leicester stretched to limit the damage.

Lampard’s honest assessment

“It was a lethargic appearance from us,” Chelsea manager Frank Lampard admitted on his club’s website.

“The second half, there was a glimpse of it (our good play) and I’m glad that we got away. If we go back to another match like we did today, then there is no chance. We are lucky today.”

Manchester City does not need luck at Newcastle at the end of the match. As in their league match in November, City dominated possession, especially in the first half. It ends 2-2.

But Newcastle can’t tie City on Sunday, meaning the Magpies trophy is experiencing a drought of around 50 years. City, meanwhile, are on course for the trophy treble, having won the League Cup this season and are still in contention in the Champions League after holding the first leg advantage over Real Madrid in the last 16.

“Now in the Premier League, we struggle a bit to focus,” Guardiola, whose team lost to Chelsea last week to officially give the Liverpool title, to the BBC. “But now of course, the FA Cup and the Champions League, it’s a little different for the fact that being at Wembley again, we were the winners of last season.

“We are in the semifinals again, so it was very good and of course the preparation at the end of the season for Real Madrid.”

Birthday goal for de Bruyne

The boy’s birthday Kevin de Bruyne celebrated his 29th birthday by opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after Fabian Schar pushed Gabriel Jesus, replacing the injured Sergio Aguero, in the box.

Newcastle opened in the second half instead of sitting down and should have leveled up. But Dwight Gayle – who had just entered as a substitute – opened fire from close range. That was one of the mistakes this season.

Almost immediately the home team were made to pay, as Raheem Sterling’s effort from outside the area beat Karl Darlow in the 68th minute.