Arsenal ended the fairytale for Hull City after they beat them with two late goals and assured themselves an all London semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Former Liverpool midfielder Nick Barmby's slightly-deflected shot gave Hull the lead just 12 minutes into the first half, with the visitors playing the better football and creating the more coherent opportunities.

Hull City started in the same lively manner in the second half as well, but progressively Arsenal got to grips. 

The northeastern fishing town has had a great spell against London teams this season. They nicked three precious Premiership points from Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham, then dared challenge Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea with that gobsmacking goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, and last night they were en route of delivering another major upset at the Emirates.

With Barmby opening the score and then Hull regrouping and defending bravely, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger became increasingly agitated. Infuriated by what he interpreted as Hull’s time-wasting tactics, the Frenchman complained to anyone who would listen. First he was moaning on the television camera to the match officials and then to Hull assistant manager Brian Horton.

Arsenal just managed to wrestle the initiative and went on the offensive, finally equalising when Robin van Persie capitalised on a sustained spell of Gunners pressure to score from an Andrey Arshavin pass with 14 minutes left on the clock.

Just several minutes later, Hull were gutted by a second goal, making fruitless appeals to the officials that the second goal was scored from offside. William Gallas headed in the winner for the Londoners after 85 minutes but Hull were infuriated, saying it was foul play.

After the match, Gallas' hotly-disputed winner was branded a "disgrace" by Tigers boss Phil Brown.

The bitter aftertaste was enhanced by allegations that Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal's injured captain, was accused of spitting at Brian Horton when he confronted the Hull players and staff after the final whistle.

Fabregas, who once clashed verbally with Mark Hughes after a match against Blackburn, said in a statement on the club's website: "I can categorically deny that I spat at anyone after the match. I have never done this in my career on the pitch, so why would I do it when I'm not even playing?

"I can understand the frustration of losing the game to a dubious goal, but it's not the fault of me or any of the Arsenal players."

Hull lost but can hold their heads up high in pride for the way they played. With their exit from the tournament, Arsenal have assured a mouth-watering all London clash with Chelsea.