Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0
Robert Pires made a brief but decisive appearance for Arsenal as they stormed into the FA Cup semi-finals with a convincing 3-0 win over Newcastle at Highbury today.
The Frenchman, who along with Dennis Bergkamp were the stars of the show, opened the scoring after just 62 seconds before supplying the Dutchman with a pass for the second in the ninth minute.
A knee injury - not thought to be too serious - forced Pires off midway through the first half, but he had already done the damage to Bobby Robson's side.
Sol Campbell headed a third five minutes into the second half to end Newcastle's hopes of a first FA Cup success since 1955.
England goalkeeper David Seaman was kept out of the starting line-up by his understudy Richard Wright, but fellow old stager Tony Adams and young England full-back Ashley Cole did return to the Arsenal defence.
Kieron Dyer started for Newcastle for the first time in eight games despite suffering from a virus following his recovery from a fracture in his foot, but Gary Speed and Jamie McClen were out injured.
The Gunners took the lead with their very first attack after a minute and it came from Pires. Bergkamp got a lucky ricochet to turn his marker but then displayed excellent vision to spread the ball into Pires' run to the left-hand edge of the box.
The Frenchman, playing with immense confidence at the moment, dispatched the ball into the net with a first time side-foot shot across Shay Given for his 13th goal of the season.
Arsenal’s second in the ninth minute stemmed from a flowing passing move which ended with Pires returning the compliment to Bergkamp. Pires was released down the left flank by Sylvain Wiltord and his low centre was tucked away with ease by the Dutchman.
The game was put out of sight for Bobby Robson's team five minutes into the second half when Bergkamp curled in a free-kick from the right and Campbell powered a header past Given from six yards out.
PA