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When was the last time City opened up their league campaign against an FA Cup semi finalist from the previous season?

The last time City opened against one of the previous season's FA Cup semi finalists was on August 20, 1955 when they beat Sunderland 3-1 at Ninian Park. Sunderland had reached the semi finals of the FA Cup competition the year before, but lost in the semis to Manchester City 1-0 at Maine Road. This opener against Sunderland is noteworthy in another way: it marks the last time City opened a top division campaign at home.

Back in the 1920s, City opened a number of seasons against the previous season's FA Cup semi finalists or finalists.

Here's the list:

* In 1921-22, City opened the season against Tottenham Hotspur at Ninian Park. Won by Spurs 1-0, this opener pitted the defending FA Cup champs (Spurs) against one of the previous season's cup semi finalists, the mighty Bluebirds. In 1920-21, Tottenham beat Preston 2-1 at White Hart Lane to get to the final, while City dropped a 3-1 replay to Wolves at Ninian Park in the other semi final. City had battled Wolves to a 0-0 draw at Molineux to set up the replay.

* In 1922-23, City opened against Spurs again, this time at White Hart Lane. The opener ended in a 1-1 draw. In 1921-22, Spurs reached the semi finals of the FA Cup by beating the Bluebirds 2-1 in a quarter final replay at the Lane following a 1-1 draw at Ninian Park. Spurs lost the semi final to Preston 2-1.

* In 1923-24, City kicked off the campaign with a rousing 3-2 win over defending FA Cup champions Bolton Wanderers at Ninian Park. Bolton won the world famous "White Horse" Final against West Ham the previous season.

* City drew the 1924-25 opener at Burnley 0-0. The year before, Burnley had reached the semi finals of the 1924 FA Cup competition. Aston Villa defeated Burnley 3-0 in that semi final at Villa Park. There were, as well, a couple of other Cardiff City openers in the 1920s featuring the previous season's FA Cup finalists.

* In 1925-26, City opened at Manchester City, losing 3-2. The previous season, City made it to the FA Cup final, losing there 1-0 to Sheffield United.

* On August 27, 1927, Cardiff City ran out onto the hallowed turf of Ninian Park to open the new campaign as defending FA Cup champions against Bolton Wanderers, having defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the '27 final. City won the opener against Bolton 2-1.

John Heyda