Scholes Books United's Ticket To Cardiff

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has booked a place in the FA Cup Final against either Millwall or Sunderland after scoring in the first-half to see of Arsenal at Villa Park.

The FA Cup is United's only chance of silver-ware this season after falling a massive 12 points behind today's opponents Arsenal.

Two of the best strikers in the world, Arsenal's Thierry Henry and United's Ruud van Nistelrooy, were both left out of the starting line-ups for different reasons. Van Nistelrooy has been struggling with a knee injury he picked up in the 1-1 dress-rehearsal last week and Henry was simply rested.

Consequently, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was handed the responsibility of playing up-front on his own but was supported by a five-man midfield including youngsters Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher.

The Gunners should have took the lead just 4 minutes from an intelligent Dennis Bergkamp attack when the Dutchman's shot got blocked by 'keeper Roy Carroll. The loose ball found it's way back to Bergkamp but his chip/shot was headed off the line by Wes Brown.

Just moments later Arsenal had yet another chance to take an early lead at Villa Park. A well worked corner fell to the feet of Brazilian midfielder Edu who was waiting on the edge of the box. He tried a cheeky little chip which bounced off the cross-bar which presented Kolo Toure the uncomplicated opportunity of heading Arsenal into the lead. But lightening reflexes from Roy Carroll saved United's blushes.

A surprising attacking-run from Sol Campbell caused havoc amongst the United defence. He picked out a great pass to Dennis Bergkamp but Robert Pires miss-directed his header from the Dutchman's cross.

The deadlock was finally broken just after the half-hour mark when some great link-up play from Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville found it's way to Paul Scholes. He decided not to control the pass and just hammered United into a lead.

Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieria had his chance to equalise seconds from half-time when a free-kick from a dangerous position found the Frenchman, who's header beat Roy Carroll but couldn't beat the post.

      Half-time: Arsenal 0 - Manchester United 1

Just 5 minutes into the second half Dennis Bergkamp fell over in the penalty area after a tussle with John O'Shea but referee Graham Barber waved play on. Moments later Jens Lehmann pushed Cristiano Ronaldo for not giving the ball back to him and was lucky to get away with a yellow card.

Arsene Wenger had enough at this point and decided to go gung-ho and brought on strikers Theirry Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes in replace of Jeremie Aliadiere and Robert Pries.

Spaniard Reyes had two wonderful chances to fire in an equaliser after coming on for Arsenal but Paul Scholes had enough and was booked for a late, lunging tackle on the forward with just 15 minutes to go.

After a few half-chances at both ends referee Graham Barber finally called it a day and his whistle confirmed United's spot in the FA Cup Final on the 2nd of May.