Manchester United Advances to FA Cup Final With 4-2 (Penalty) Victory Over Coventry
Manchester United narrowly avoided humiliation against second-tier Coventry, blowing a three-goal lead before securing a spot in the FA Cup final against rival Manchester City.
Sunday’s semifinal match will live long in the memory as United lost to second-tier Coventry, came back from behind in a penalty shootout to advance to the May 25 title match back at Wembley Stadium, and was spared a defeat by the narrowest of margins in stoppage time of extra time thanks to a VAR decision.
When Rasmus Hojlund scored the game-winning penalty kick to give United a 4-2 victory in the shootout, the team’s celebrations were mixed with relief and delight. When United’s players exited the pitch at England’s national stadium, they did so looking sheepish, even embarrassed, in contrast to Coventry’s players, who were greeted with applause from their patriotic, flag-waving, blue-clad supporters.
This kind of run to the final will not alleviate the mounting doubts around United manager Erik ten Hag’s future; even a victory vs City may not be enough to keep him in his job. United, the most prestigious club in England, is currently languishing in seventh place in the Premier League. The team’s recent run of poor performances, which included a late collapse against Coventry, will worry Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new co-owner and someone who watched the game at Wembley after running the London Marathon.
Even though his team made it to the FA Cup final, Bruno Fernandes, the captain of United, could not muster a smile. “The standard of the club is much higher than what we have been doing.”
On its route to winning a Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League treble last year, City defeated United 2-1 in the previous year’s final. On Saturday, it defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the first semifinal match.
Twelve months after the first cup final between the bitter local rivals, there will be another. Few will anticipate a different result from the encounter next month, when City hopes to have reclaimed the Premier League title.
Ten Hag remarked, “It’s mixed feelings” about defeating Coventry. “It’s not okay the way we did it.”
United has developed a terrible habit of blowing leads, and it happened once more against a motivated Coventry team, currently eighth in the Championship and led by former Manchester United striker Mark Robins, who may have prevented Alex Ferguson’s firing three years into his illustrious tenure as United manager.
By the 58th minute, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, and Scott McTominay had placed United ahead 3-0 with a drive that deflected and ricocheted into the net.
In an incredible comeback, Coventry—which was hoping to make history by being the first non-Premier League team to make it to the final since Cardiff in 2008—scored goals from Ellis Sims in the 71st, Callum O’Hare in the 79th, and Haji Wright in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
With Sims striking the crossbar and Victor Torp having a goal disallowed in the first minute of second-half stoppage time due to a near offside decision against Wright during the buildup, Coventry was perhaps the more dominant team in extra time.
“There wouldn’t have been penalties if he had clipped his toenail,” Robins stated.
The opening penalty of the shootout was missed by United player Casemiro, who was playing center defense out of position during the game. Coventry missed two more attempts from the spot, but United rallied.
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Victory For Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s incredible free kick helped Liverpool defeat Fulham 3-1, keeping them in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Liverpool, which now has an inferior goal differential but is tied with leader Arsenal in the standings, also has goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota. With a game remaining, Manchester City is one point behind them.
There were notable victories for Aston Villa, Everton, and Crystal Palace in other Premier League games.
Villa came back to defeat Bournemouth 3-1 and bolster their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Despite having two games remaining, Unai Emery’s team surged six points clear of Tottenham, who is currently in sixth place.
By defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0, Everton increased its hopes of staying in the top flight for a longer period of time and moved five points clear of the relegation zone. Following the game, Forest posted something on social media that seemed to cast doubt on the impartiality of a match official.
Palace defeated West Ham 5-2 after scoring four goals in the opening thirty-one minutes of play.
