Adrian Sherling reporting

April 9 is certainly a date that Dennis Wise will remember. In 1988, he scored the winner for Wimbledon against Luton to take the Dons into the FA Cup final and six years later, he helped Chelsea to a semi-final victory over the same team.

Yet again, this time as captain, Wise helped his side to the final as Chelsea consigned Newcastle to their third FA Cup Twin Towers defeat in three years to take their place alongside Aston Villa in the Wembley showpiece thanks to Gustavo Poyets brace.

With all the debates over whether the semi-final should have been played between the Twin Towers, Newcastle will certainly have been against it. For the sixth successive time, their long trip to Wembley has ended in defeat.

Despite the Blues wonderful performance in midweek, Gianluca Vialli made six changes to the side that beat Barcelona, bringing in George Weah and Chris Sutton for Champions League heroes Gianfranco Zola and Tore Andre Flo.

The Liberian had already had a goal disallowed for offside when the strike pair combined to set up Poyet for the opening goal after 16 minutes. The Uruguayan, who grabbed Chelseas winner against Newcastle last month, sped through the middle as Weah flicked Suttons pass forward and coolly lobbed the ball over Shay Given to give the London side the lead.

Throughout the first-half, even before Chelsea took the lead, Newcastle had the lions share of possession, but created only the pussycats share of chances. Ed de Goey, though he consistently had to be on his toes, did not have a serious save to make.

The Magpies chances were not helped on 38 minutes when Duncan Ferguson limped off the field to be replaced by Didier Domi. The Shearer-Ferguson axis has been vital to Bobby Robsons revitalised side and the early end to the big Scottish strikers day, in his 20th consecutive game certainly hampered Newcastles rhythm.

The second-half however, was an entirely different affair. All of a sudden, the St. James Park outfit werelooking dangerous every time they broke forward and could have equalised before they did. Nolberto Solano delayed too long when he had a sight of goal and Shearers header was well saved by De Goey.

Kieron Dyer, who wasnt even born the last time Robson led a side to FA Cup glory, also nearly hauled his side back into the game when his snap shot from Gary Speeds knockdown was superbly tipped over the bar by De Goey.

Shearer was consistently getting the better of defender Frank Leboeuf and it was that dominance that led to Newcastles equaliser after 66 minutes. The England captain skipped past the Frenchman as if he wasnt there and drilled in the perfect cross for Rob Lee to power a header into the top corner.

However just five minutes later, Poyet, who was dropped for Chelseas Champions League exploits in midweek, popped up at the far post to head Jon Harleys deep cross inside the far post to take the Blues to the final.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Hughes (Ketsbaia 79), Howey, Dabizas, Solano, Speed, Lee, Dyer, Shearer, Ferguson (Domi 38).
Subs Not Used: Goma, Gavilan, Harper.
Goals: Lee 66.

Chelsea: De Goey, Ferrer (Petrescu 74), Leboeuf, Desailly, Harley, Di Matteo, Deschamps, Wise, Poyet, Sutton (Flo 45), Weah (Zola 79).
Subs Not Used: Hogh, Cudicini.
Booked: Deschamps.
Goals: Poyet 17, 72.