18 Mar 2024

Extra time winner sends Man United to FA Cup semis, Chelsea also advance

8:46 am on 18 March 2024
Scott McTominay of Manchester United.

Scott McTominay celebrates a goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Amad Diallo scored deep in extra time after Marcus Rashford made amends for a bad miss to lift Manchester United to a breathless 4-3 victory over north west rivals Liverpool and into the FA Cup semi-finals,

United's victory at Old Trafford kept alive their only hope of silverware this season and spoiled Liverpool's dreams of hoisting four trophies in manager Juergen Klopp's final campaign with the team.

Erik ten Hag's side will face Championship (second-tier) outfit Coventry City in the semis after they upset Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2.

"Listen to the noise, you can tell what a big game it is, a huge occasion," Rashford told ITV. "I haven't had the season I wanted but nights like this at Old Trafford are what it's all about.

"We have to get something out of this season... it's a massive game in the history of Manchester United."

Scott McTominay gave United a 10th-minute lead but Liverpool turned the game on its head with goals three minutes apart from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah before halftime.

But United poured on the pressure late in normal time and Antony spun in the box before slotting home past two Liverpool players in the 87th minute, the Brazilian's first goal at Old Trafford in over a year, to force extra time.

Harvey Elliott brought the 9,000 travelling Liverpool fans to their feet in the 105th minute when his long-range rocket deflected off Christian Eriksen's foot and between Harry Maguire's legs into the bottom corner.

But once again 12-times FA Cup winners United -- who are four places below Liverpool in a Premier League season to forget for Ten Hag's side -- kept their foot on the gas.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Rashford, who had missed a sitter late in normal time, made it 3-3 in the 112th minute, calmly slotting a picture-perfect pass from McTominay into the bottom corner before running to United's fans, where he was mobbed.

Then Alejandro Garnacho and Diallo charged up the field on a breakaway after a Liverpool corner with Diallo firing home the winner in the 120th minute to a deafening roar from the Old Trafford faithful, leaving Klopp looking stunned on the sideline.

Diallo was then sent off after receiving a second yellow card for his celebrations.

Chelsea overcome fright to progress

Chelsea substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored stoppage time goals to earn a thrilling 4-2 home victory over battling second-tier side Leicester City and a place in a the FA Cup final four.

The match had everything needed for a classic cup tie, including end-to-end action, a missed penalty, a red card, a howler of an own goal and some sumptuous strikes.

Chelsea had looked in full control at halftime after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, though Raheem Sterling also had a somewhat feeble penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk's legs.

Chelsea team-mates Cole Palmer (L) amd Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea team-mates Cole Palmer (L) amd Raheem Sterling. Photo: photosport

However, a howler from Chelsea's France defender Axel Disasi gifted Leicester a goal in the 51st minute when his pass back from distance flew straight into his own goal.

Ten minutes later Stephy Malvididi produced a stunning individual goal, dribbling and sidestepping Malo Gusto before curling the ball into the top corner to put Leicester level.

In the 71st Leicester's Callum Doyle clipped Nicolas Jackson's heel as the striker raced towards goal.

Referee Andy Madley signalled a penalty and a yellow card but after a VAR check he ruled that the foul had happened just outside the penalty area and changed the yellow to a red because Jackson had been clear on goal.

Chelsea besieged the Leicester area, producing a total of 26 shots to the Championship side's five, and it was the late substitutes who broke through.

With eight minutes added on, Chukwuemka turned Cole's expert back flick into the net and Madueke looped home a brilliant shot from distance to make it four just before the final whistle.

Chelsea, who lost the League Cup final to Liverpool last month, will be at Wembley again next month for their sixth FA Cup semi-final in eight years.

They will meet Manchester City for a place in the final.

- Reuters

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.