Manchester United 3-1 Fulham: Three crimson playing cards in FA Cup implosion as hosts attain semi-finals

Fulham endured one in all their worst days of the season final weekend of their 3-0 defeat to league leaders Arsenal. However in opposition to a United staff lacking a suspended Casemiro, they began brightly at Previous Trafford. How they might fall in a second-half second of insanity.

Willian began so effectively, taking part in on the left however creeping into the center of the pitch and connecting play for Fulham. They had been a lot the higher staff within the first half, and lots of that was right down to the return of Joao Palhinha following his two-match suspension.

In Palhinha’s absence, they misplaced to Brentford and Arsenal. However he allowed midfield associate Harrison Reed — hampered by an early hamstring harm however ultimately recovering — to bomb on. Fulham had vitality and vitality and practically had a aim when veteran centre-back Tim Ream discovered himself on the left flank and crossed into the hall of uncertainty. It bypassed everybody. An excellent probability.

Antonee Robinson was woeful final weekend in opposition to Arsenal however crossed effectively for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who stayed of their air however headed over. Then Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno smothered from Marcus Rashford after which parried Marcel Sabitzer’s fizzing effort.

Fulham began the second half simply as they’d ended the primary. 5 minutes after the restart — by which period Willian had twice examined David De Gea — Silva’s aspect had been forward when Mitrovic stabbed house from a nook. It ended a drought of 9 matches stretching again to January 3. It had the Fulham supporters who’d made the lengthy journey to Previous Trafford dreaming of a primary FA Cup semi-final since 2002.

United had been clinging on — maybe an indication their outstanding variety of matches this season had caught up with them. De Gea clawed away Mitrovic’s header for a miraculous save. It saved United within the cup tie. After which they had been off, up the opposite finish.

Antony countered, squared for Jadon Sancho — and Sancho rounded Leno and solely needed to stick it into the online. Willian blocked on the road, however was it together with his hand or his thigh? It was laborious to inform, however referee Chris Kavanagh consulted VAR and awarded a spot-kick.

Willian needed to go, because of his proximity to the aim. Kavanagh duly despatched him off. Then all hell broke unfastened. Mitrovic appeared to push Kavanagh, giving the official no alternative however to ship the hot-headed Serb off too. Abruptly Fulham had been right down to 9 males.

Supervisor Silva’s personal feelings appeared to get the higher of him and his remonstrations earned him a crimson as effectively. Fulham had misplaced it; their lead, their composure and the match. Silva spent the remainder of the match pacing up and down the tunnel, whereas the carcass of his staff misplaced their lead and misplaced the match.

Bruno Fernandes stroked house the penalty to degree at 1-1. Then Luke Shaw reached the byline and crossed for Marcel Sabitzer to back-heel deftly into the online for his first United aim. Two in two minutes, and with 13 minutes left to play it was already honest to conclude that Fulham had been a overwhelmed staff.

It was an ideal disgrace for his or her followers that their grand time out led to such disgraceful circumstances, and it bought worse slightly than higher when substitute Fred tucked the ball to Fernandes, who arrowed into the nook deep into harm time.

Ten Hag’s aspect are the one staff left in Europe’s high 5 leagues nonetheless on for a quadruple. One in every of Arsenal or Manchester Metropolis will, in fact, guarantee they don’t win all 4 competitions, however they might a minimum of add the FA Cup and Europa League to the EFL Cup they received final month.

United plough on. Fulham plod him in ludicrous vogue. It was class that bought them to this primary FA Cup quarter-final since 2010. It was sheer stupidity that ensured they go no additional.