A superb performance from Cesc Fabregas guided Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Valencia here on Wednesday in their Spanish Cup second leg clash and a place in the final as they won 3-1 on aggregate. The former Arsenal captain – who achieved his dream move back to the club where he started as a youngster last summer – scored a goal and set up Xavi for the second to round off a show stealing performance. Barca – beaten in last year’s final by bitter rivals Real Madrid – will play Athletic Bilbao in the final after they trounced third division Mirandes 6-2, 8-3 on aggregate, on Tuesday. Fabregas opened the scoring in sublime fashion in the 16th minute, when he was found by a perceptive pass by Lionel Messi. The Spaniard then looked up and from a tight angle lobbed ‘keeper Diego Alves. Valencia pressed forward and while they gave the hosts some problems it was two good saves from Alves that kept them in the match. However, their hopes disappeared completely nine minutes from time as Chilean wing Alexis Sanchez twisted and turned and picked out Fabregas in the middle of the penalty area, but he had the selflessness and vision to realise Xavi was better placed. Thus Fabregas produced the faintest of touyches to slide it across to Xavi, who without hesitating lashed it into the far corner.
