Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers

Robin Van Persie takes the applause from the Arsenal fans after an explosive introduction. And he deserves the adulation for two top-rate goals

Arsenal deserve to go through, even if a three-goal win may flatter them slightly. It was hardly a classic, but the Gunners' hopes of a trophy are alive

Referee Steve Dunn brings the weekend's first semi-final to a close

Van Persie is in real pain on the deck. As he turned to celebrate his second he ran into the shoulder of Todd running in the opposite direction. It looked nasty - and Van Persie has the bloody lip to prove it

Another superb finish from Van Persie, again with his left with the first-time shot. Friedel had no chance - what an impact from the sub

GOAL!!!

Great work from Pires down the left, he spots Van Persie in space just inside the box...

A final change for Arsenal as Jose Antonio Reyes is replaced by Jeremie Aliadiere - who was injured here in the Community Shield in August

Fabregas somehow finds himself with acres of space and only Friedel to beat but again the keeper makes good save. Fabregas looked shocked to have so much space

It's game over now. Get yourself a brew - of whichever variety you prefer. Pass me the hops and barley while you're at it

Blackburn break with Emerton. He finds Reid at the back stick - his header is straight into the gloves of Lehmann

Great play from Van Persie, he did so well to get through and finished with aplomb - taking the shot early and firing past Friedel into the corner of the net

GOAL!!!

Vieira finds Van Persie who turns to beat one man and then does well to skip past the challenge of Todd...

Stead finds Emerton with a good pass down the line - the Australian's cross is poor and intercepted with ease

Stead's first contribution is to win a corner on the left. Savage delivers but the ref spots an infringement in the box

A final throw of the dice from Rovers as Dominic Matteo is replaced by a striker in Jon Stead

Substitution time. Robin van Persie comes on for Dennis Bergkamp

Free-kick this time on the right flank. Bergkamp curls a cross in to centre, Senderos gets a flick to find Gilberto at the back post - Friedel makes a fine double save to deny the Brazilian. He was offside, anyway

Corner to Arsenal, Reyes delivers from the right only for Savage to head away at the near post

Fabregas again shows strength to burst forward from midfield to unleash a shot from inside the D. He scuffs it a bit but still forces fingertips from Friedel - the officials give a goal-kick to Fabregas' amazement

Todd again does superbly to dispossess Bergkamp inside the area

In all honesty you cannot see Blackburn mustering a shot on goal let alone a leveller

Blackburn probe around the edge of the Arsenal box but they're forced all the way back to Friedel

Fabregas gets control and comes forward. There's no other Arsenal player in an advanced postion so the teenager is forced to keep going before Todd makes a crucial challenge on the edge of the box