Nigeria striker, Odion Ighalo, produced a Man of the Match display to inspire Watford to an unbelievable 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.
The 26-year-old broke a seven-game goal drought with his 16th of the season in the 50th minute to put the Hornets in front.
Ighalo held off pressure from Arsenal’s Gabriel Paulista before firing past David Ospina after Troy Deeney had headed Nathan Ake’s throw-in into his path.
The Nigerian, whose last strike coincidentally was against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in January, had been guilty of squandering chances – but wasted no time to pounce on Deeney’s pass.
Ighalo’s goal set the tune for Watford’s progress to Wembley at the expense of Arsene Wenger’s men who were aiming for a third consecutive FA Cup title.
Watford soon took the game away from the holders as Deeney held off Per Mertesacker before teeing up Adlene Guedioura to flash a bullet of a shot past Ospina.
Danny Welbeck got a consolation for the Gunners two minutes before full time but it was little too late to spark any form of comeback.
The result was more headaches for Wenger as he must overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit when they travel to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday and could be as many as 11 points off top spot in the Premier League before turning out at Everton next weekend.
