Connect with us

FA Cup

Man United Host Liverpool In FA Cup Quarters, While Man City Face Newcastle –

Published

on

Man Utd Out To Put A Spoke In Man City's Title Charge -

Champions Manchester City will take on Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals, while 12-times winners Manchester United will host Premier League leaders Liverpool.

United booked their quarter-final berth with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, while Liverpool beat Championship side Southampton 3-0 at Anfield to advance.

City secured their quarter-final berth in emphatic fashion with Erling Haaland scoring five goals in a 6-2 victory over Luton Town on Tuesday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will play Coventry City after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0, while Chelsea will meet Leicester City after their 3-2 victory over Leeds United on Wednesday.

Quarter-final draw:

Advertisement
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers V Coventry City
  • Manchester United V Liverpool
  • Chelsea V Leicester City
  • Manchester City V Newcastle United

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

FA Cup

Beckham hopes Man United documentary can inspire current squad ahead of FA Cup final

Published

on

 '99' World Premiere - Printworks, Manchester, Britain - May 9, 2024 Former Manchester United player David Beckham poses on the red carpet before '99' World Premiere REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham hopes a documentary about their 1998–99 treble-winning season can offer inspiration to the current side.

Beckham won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup with United 25 years ago, becoming the first English side to do so. However, United are now facing the prospect of having no European football next season.

The three times European champions are eighth in the Premier League standings, having won one of their last seven games. They have conceded 81 goals in all competitions, their worst showing since the 1976-77 season.

They play league leaders Arsenal on Sunday and have reached the FA Cup final, where they face rivals Manchester City on May 25.

“It’s been a difficult time for the team over the last few years now but it was always going to be,” Beckham told BBC Radio 5 at the premiere of Amazon Prime Documentary ’99’ on Thursday.

Advertisement

“When we were as successful as we were for the amount of years there was always gong to be this time. Now, we feel it’s probably gone on for a little bit too long.

“It will mean something to these homegrown lads without a doubt because the lads actually talk about that moment in time so we hope it inspires them.”

Many former United players criticised manager Erik ten Hag after Monday’s 4-0 Premier League loss at Crystal Palace, saying he is unlikely to be given another year at the helm.

Asked about Ten Hag having to motivate his players, Beckham told TalkSport, opens new tab the Dutch coach did not have to do much. “I think that’s the whole point of being a United player and playing in these big games – you should be motivated,” he said.

“You’re doing the job you love and you’re at the club you love, when you’re playing in any game, whether it’s a regular season game or whether it’s an FA Cup final against your rivals, that should be enough motivation.”

Advertisement

-Reuters

Continue Reading

FA Cup

FA Cup final to kick off as usual at 3pm, in relief for travelling fans

Published

on

The FA Cup 2023-24 final between holders Manchester City and Manchester United will kick off at 3pm local time, the English FA said on Tuesday, in welcome news for travelling fans who often struggle with late kickoffs.

The May 25 final will see the two sides from Manchester – 200 miles north of the capital – face off at London’s Wembley Stadium for the second year in a row.

“This kickoff time was agreed with the clubs, local authority, members of the Safety Advisory Group and broadcasters,” the FA said in a statement.

City, who beat United 2-1 to win the trophy last year, defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the semi-finals while United gave up a 3-0 lead in the last 20 minutes before eventually beating Coventry City on penalties.

-Reuters

Advertisement
Continue Reading

FA Cup

Denied by toenail, Coventry boss Robins proud in defeat

Published

on

FA Cup - Semi Final - Coventry City v Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 21, 2024 Coventry City's Jay Da Silva and manager Mark Robins look dejected after losing the penalty shootout REUTERS/Toby Melville

The width of a toenail cost Coventry City a place in the FA Cup final after a remarkable comeback against Manchester United on Sunday but manager Mark Robins said he was proud of his players after losing a penalty shootout.

Robins, who won the Cup as player with United in 1990, watched his side battle back from 3-0 down after 71 minutes with goals from Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare and a Haji Wright penalty deep into stoppage time.

Second-tier Coventry were the better side in extra time and thought they had pulled off a remarkable win against the 12-time champions when Victor Torp scored from close range 20 seconds from the end of extra time.

The joy of the 36,000 travelling Coventry fans turned to tears though as Torp’s goal was disallowed by VAR with Wright adjudged to have been centimetres offside before playing the ball across the face of goal.

United then won 4-2 on penalties to deny Coventry a second FA Cup final, having beaten Tottenham Hotspur in 1987, and prevent them from becoming the first team from outside the Premier League to reach the final since Cardiff City in 2008.

Advertisement

Despite the outcome it felt like a moral victory for Coventry who were magnificent after a poor first hour.

“Bitterly disappointed, but I’m proud as well,” said Robins whose goal in an FA Cup third round for United against Nottingham Forest in 1990 is said to have saved then manager Alex Ferguson’s job and paved the way for a glittering era.

“Someone said to me I don’t think any team have been as close to a final without getting there.

“We deserved to go through, we were 20 seconds away and a toenail offside, it’s ridiculous.”

Robins said Simms’ goal gave his side belief after struggling to make any impact before that.

Advertisement

“We thought it might be a consolation and then the second loops in and it gives us a lifeline. Your tails are up then. Haji sticks a penalty away and all to play for,” he said.

“They hit the bar, we hit the bar. Another goal with 20 seconds to go. It took an age. The fourth official said there was nothing wrong with it (initially). A toenail offside.”

-Reuters

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Most Viewed