CARDIFF, May 4: Superb second-half goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg won the FA Cup for Arsenal on Saturday as the Gunners beat Chelsea 2-0 in the first all-London final for 20 years.

After a tense opening 70 minutes, Parlour broke the deadlock with a superb right foot shot into the top corner and fellow midfielder Ljungberg settled it 10 minutes later with a delicate curler after a 50-metre run.

It was the Swede’s fifth goal in four games and, following his goal in last season’s 2-1 defeat by Liverpool, made him the first man to score in successive Cup finals since Bobby Smith for Tottenham 40 years ago.

Arsenal have now won the Cup eight times — second only to Manchester United with 10 — and hope to complete their third Cup and league double when they face United at Old Trafford on Wednesday. They need a draw to secure the premier league title with one game to spare.

Chelsea’s best effort came in the 58th minute when England goalkeeper David Seaman produced an excellent save to tip Eidur Gudjohnsen’s goal-bound shot over the bar.

Earlier, a tense and occasionally bad-tempered midfield battle between Arsenal and Chelsea produced no goals in the first half.

Arsenal, attempting to win the Cup and league double, had the best two chances of the half but Dennis Bergkamp and Lauren headed them over the bar.

Both sides looked jittery from the opening whistle and fiery Chelsea wingback Graeme le Saux was booked in the third minute for a rash challenge on Lauren.

Arsenal had their first chance in the 13th minute as Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly charged down a fierce shot by French compatriot Silvain Wiltord.

In the 17th and 18th minutes David Seaman was forced to make saves from shots by Le Saux and midfielder Frank Lampard.

A couple of minutes later Freddie Ljungberg, one of 15 foreign players on the pitch, an FA Cup final record, lobbed the ball into the goal after the referee had blown for offside.

His team mate Thierry Henry looked threatening and on 20 minutes his shot was just blocked by Desailly. Seconds later Bergkamp headed just wide of Carlo Cudicini’s goal when alone in front of goal.

Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, also known for his hot temper, received a yellow card in the 27th minute for a heavy tackle on Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Gudjohnsen’s strike partner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, scorer of 29 goals this season, looked slow on the ball and was rarely a danger. Hasselbaink has been out of action for more than a week with a calf strain.

In the 37th minute Wiltord crossed to Lauren who headed just over the bar with Cudicini at full stretch.

RANGERS STUN CELTIC