Classic FA Cup semi-finals of the 21st Century

It's called the magic of the cup.

The world's oldest football competition - the FA Cup - has delivered unforgettable drama over its 154-year run and with another set of semi-finals on the horizon, it promises even more twists and turns.

We revisit some of the most memorable FA Cup semi-finals of the past 25 years.

Manchester United let a three-goal lead slip against Championship side Coventry City but still edged through on penalties in an epic semi-final last year.

Coventry, managed by former United striker Mark Robins, looked well beaten with less than 20 minutes to play, but Ellis Simms and Callum O'Hare gave the Sky Blues a lifeline.

Haji Wright then converted a stoppage-time penalty to take the game to extra time.

Victor Torp thought he had won it in the final seconds of extra time, only for the video assistant referee to rule his goal out for offside.

Though it was Erik ten Hag's United who ultimately triumphed on penalties, it was the Coventry players who received a heroes' ovation from their fans despite the Wembley heartache.

An Ibrahima Konate header and a Sadio Mane double saw Liverpool race to a 3-0 lead in the 2021-22 semi-final against Manchester City.

But Pep Guardiola's side almost pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in a stirring second-half display.

Jack Grealish pulled one back for City just two minutes after the restart and Bernardo Silva added a second to set up a tense finale.

The Reds had their goalkeeper Alisson to thank as he made two superb saves to deny Gabriel Jesus as Jurgen Klopp's side kept their quadruple hopes alive.

Watford produced one of the great FA Cup comebacks to reach their first FA Cup final since 1984.

Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez had put Wolves 2-0 up with 11 minutes left - a first FA Cup final since 1960 firmly in their sight.

But Gerard Deulofeu coming off the bench for the Hornets proved to be the turning point in the game.

It took the former Barcelona winger just 11 minutes to score before captain Troy Deeney's 94th-minute penalty forced extra-time.

Deulofeu then completed the turnaround in the 104th minute and send Watford fans into joy and disbelief.

Antonio Conte turned to his bench to help Chelsea deliver a classic FA Cup semi-final performance against Tottenham in 2016-17.

Willian scored twice for the Blues only for Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs to come from behind not once but twice.

But with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa coming off the bench at the hour mark, the momentum swung in Chelsea's favour.

Belgian Hazard restored the lead for Conte's side in the 75th minute before teeing up Nemaja Matic five minutes later to settle an enthralling contest between the London rivals.

In 2013-14, Sheffield United were looking to script history by becoming the first third-tier club to reach the FA Cup final since the Football League's expansion beyond two divisions.

And goals from Jose Baxter and Stefan Scougall had put them in good stead at half time as they led 2-1 against Premier League side Hull City.

But Matty Fryatt and Tom Huddlestone struck for Hull inside the first 10 minutes of the second half before Stephen Quinn gave them a two-goal cushion.

The Blades saw a glimmer of hope when Jamie Murphy hit back in the 90th minute but David Meyler scored a fifth for the Tigers, who booked a place in their first-ever final.

Manchester City's 1-0 win against rivals Manchester United not only booked their first FA Cup final in 30 years but was also a statement of intent from the "noisy neighbours."

The semi-final was a cagey affair that was settled by Yaya Toure, who capitalised on Michael Carrick's mistake to score for Roberto Mancini's side after 52 minutes as United ended the game with 10 men after Paul Scholes was sent off.

Toure went on to score the winner in the final against Stoke City as the Citizens lifted the FA Cup - laying the foundation for the trophy-laden years that followed.

Stoke City were known for their defensive solidity and a pragmatic non-nonsense approach rather than attacking flair under Tony Pulis. But in an unforgettable FA Cup semi-final, they tore up the script.

Five goals without reply, including three in the first half, helped the Potters demolish Bolton Wanderers and reach the final for the first time in their history.

Matthew Etherington, Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones put Stoke 3-0 up inside the first half hour.

Jonathan Walters then scored twice in the second half to make it the highest post-war winning margin in an FA Cup semi-final.

Odds were stacked against Portsmouth when they met Tottenham in the 2009-10 semi-final.

Pompey were in financial crisis and had already been relegated from the Premier League, but they were not going down without a fight.

After a goalless 90 minutes, Portsmouth went ahead nine minutes into extra time against a Spurs side managed by their former boss Harry Redknapp and ex-Portsmouth stars Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in the starting 11.

Kevin-Prince Boateng sealed the victory from the penalty spot, sending Avram Grant's side into the final against Chelsea.