Sanchez and Herrera send United through to cup final

A place in the FA Cup final was at stake as Manchester United and Tottenham battled it out at Wembley on Saturday evening, both sides searching to salvage an otherwise disappointing season trophy-wise.

It was an electric opening half of football with the two teams keen to get on the front foot, treating the crowd to plenty of chances.

United were the first to have a clear opportunity on goal, Romelu Lukaku firing his header wide of the target after being found by a dinked ball from Nemanja Matic. However, the Belgian striker would rue his poor finishing when Spurs stole the lead a minute later.

A long ball found Christian Eriksen on the right wing, who ran toward the by-line before whipping it into the box and into the path of team-mate Dele Alli. The youngster then guided it past a helpless David De Gea to put one foot in the final for Spurs.

Tottenham could have even been two or three goals up shortly after. A curling ball from Son Heung-min evaded the outstretched foot of Harry Kane by whiskers whilst a shot from Eriksen whistled past the left post.

United would eventually end Spurs’ onslaught in the 24th minute though as Sanchez showed Jose Mourinho why he was right to include him in the starting XI.

Paul Pogba found his team-mate with an inch-perfect pass after winning possession on the left wing, who then finished off the move with a header across goal which nestled into the back of the net, wrong-footing Michel Vorm in the process.

The goal sparked the 'Red Devils' into life, Pogba forcing a fine save from Vorm with a dipped curling effort. However, Eric Dier would also strike the post with a powerful shot just before the break as both sides went in with honours shared.

 

April 21, 2018

- A game of two halves - 

The second 45 minutes was completely different from the first though, suiting United's style more as they were able to enact control on the semi-final, stifling the majority of Spurs' attack.

Instead, it became rather scrappy with numerous players going into the book for late challenges which could've waranteed further action. Dele Alli, Ashley Young, Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera joining Antonio Valencia and Son's first-half yellows.

The first real chance of the half saw United edge in front for the first time of the match. Sanchez fired a ball into the box from the left wing, which was miscontrolled by Lukaku before finding its way to Jesse Lingard. 

The Englishman chose to leave it for the rushing Herrera and what a decision it would turn out to be as the Spaniard connected cleanly, sending it past Vorm and putting his side 2-1 up.

From then on, United were in control and Tottenham couldn't recreate the fine attacking chances of the first half as they succumbed to their eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final defeat.

It's good news for the 'Red Devils' though who will now wait to find out who they will play in the final on May 19 when Chelsea and Southampton battle it out on Sunday. 

 

April 21, 2018