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Tag: FA Cup

  • City clash with United for first time in FA cup final today

    City clash with United for first time in FA cup final today

    Manchester City’s hope of winning a treble this season may receive a boost at Wembley, should the noisy neighbours defeat Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

    City already won the English Premier League title and are on course to add the UEFA Champions League if they are able to defeat Inter Milan on June 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.

    Also, Manchester Utd will win two titles this season should they come out victorious in Saturday’s FA Cup final, having already won the Carabao Cup during the course of the season.

    Both teams will be meeting for the first time in  a final in the tournament’s history, incidentally, the FA Cup is the oldest football tournament in England

    Referee for the game

    Top Flight referee Paul Tierney will be at the center when the two neighbours Manchester City and Manchester United meet at the Wembley stadium on Saturday.

    Paul Tierney is a football referee from Wigan, Greater Manchester, who referees in the English Premier League. He first officiated in the Premier League on 30 August 2014. Tierney was promoted to the FIFA list of referees in 2018, but was removed again in 2022.

    Tierney will be assisted by Neil Davies and Scott Ledger with fellow referee Peter Banks as fourth official. League Cup final referee David Coote will act as video assistant referee alongside Simon Long.

    Ortega to replace Ederson in goal for City

    Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has confirmed Stefan Ortega, his second-choice goalkeeper, will start the FA Cup final against Manchester United.

    Ortega has started every round of the competition for City this season and Guardiola says the German will keep his place at Ederson’s expense.

    “He’s going to play yeah, it’s always like that, even in Barcelona, the keeper who has played FA Cup [stays in goal],” the City manager said.

    Guardiola also said Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Nathan Aké were all available after minor injury problems. “They trained well in the last two days – no concerns,” Guardiola said. “They are more or less fine.”

    Players out injured for Manchester United

    Lisandro Martinez

    Suffered a broken metatarsal and won’t be back in time for Saturday’s FA Cup final,

    Marcel Sabitzer 

    Won’t play again this season and the on-loan Bayern Munich man watched from the stands on Sunday.

    Donny van de Beek

    Back in training but won’t be an option until pre-season.

    Anthony Martial

    has also been ruled out injured and will not be available nfor Manchester United versus City final at Wembley on Saturday.

    Both Club’s FA Cup History

    Manchester United have won an impressive 12 FA Cup titles in their history, making them the second-most successful team in the competition’s 151-year history, bettered only by Arsenal (14).

    Manchester City have won six FA Cup titles in their history, joint with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, with only six teams winning more FA Cups than City.

    Arsenal are the most successful club in FA Cup history with 14 titles, followed by Manchester United (12), Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham (all on 8) and Aston Villa (7).

  • FA Cup Final: Manchester United suffer fresh injury blow ahead Manchester City clash

    FA Cup Final: Manchester United suffer fresh injury blow ahead Manchester City clash

    Ahead of this weekend FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City, the Red Devils have been hit with a major injury blow.

    Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag will be without Anthony Martial for the crunchy FA cup encounter on Saturday at Wembley.

    The French forward is out  of the game with a hamstring injury.

    The Frenchman had hit a bit of form recently, scoring twice in his last four games in Premier League victories over Wolves and Chelsea.

    He also played 85 minutes of the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton.

    An official club statement read: “The France international strained his hamstring towards the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win against Fulham at Old Trafford.

    “Assessments have since revealed a muscle tear that rules the 27-year-old out of the Wembley showdown.”

  • Ten Hag pleased with Manchester United’s response in FA Cup semi-final win

    Ten Hag pleased with Manchester United’s response in FA Cup semi-final win

    Manchester United bounced back from a difficult week with a 7-6 shootout win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday that booked an FA Cup final spot to the relief of manager Erik ten Hag.

    Three days after a humiliating Europa League exit against Sevilla, United’s victory at Wembley on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate was music to the ears of their Dutch manager.

    “On Thursday I saw a team I didn’t recognise but today we went back to usual.

    “I could see determination and resilience. We fought for every yard and competed in every battle. We had good chances,” he said.

    The normally measured Ten Hag was livid with his team’s lack of effort on Thursday and admitted yelling at the players after their 3-0 rout for a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the quarter-finals.

    “I can’t accept that my team is not giving its best,” said the Dutchman.

    But there was nothing but positive words on Sunday after Victor Lindelof, United’s seventh player to step up to the spot, slotted home the winning penalty after Brighton’s Solly March missed by launching the ball over the bar.

    It was the first-ever FA Cup semi-final shootout to go to sudden death.

    “He is quite cool when it comes to penalties and he’s quite cool in general,” Ten Hag said of Lindelof.

    United’s manager was also pleased with his goalkeeper David de Gea, who was kept busy by several Brighton efforts.

    “He made some brilliant saves. It hurt when he made mistakes on Thursday.

    “Often when you make mistakes as a keeper you get punished. We let him down, we didn’t fight back for him. We bounced back today though,” Ten Hag said.

    Sunday’s win set up the first all-Manchester FA Cup final, after City cruised past Sheffield United 3-0 on Saturday, and Ten Hag’s second showpiece match in his first season at the helm.

    This was after he guided Manchester United to a League Cup triumph in February.

    “Whether Manchester United win the cup or not it’s going to be a fantastic season for them. They’ve achieved all their goals this season. Erik Ten Hag deserves credit,” said BBC pundit Alan Shearer.

    Brighton had hoped to continue their dream run to what would have been their second FA Cup final.

    But for the wayward penalty from March, who hung his head crestfallen, hands on hips, after the miss while Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi consoled him.

    “In penalties anything can happen. You can make mistakes. March is one of the best players in our team and I’m proud of him and the rest of the players, especially today.

    “(March) is sad but, I repeat, we have to close this day and tomorrow we have to think about another game. We need the possibility to forget. We want to achieve in Europe,” De Zerbi said.

    Brighton are eighth in the Premier League and battling to secure a European qualifying spot for next season. 

  • How Manchester United set up FA Cup final against City with Brighton win

    How Manchester United set up FA Cup final against City with Brighton win

    Manchester United beat Brighton & Hove Albion in a thrilling penalty kicks shootout after their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday finished 0-0 after extra time.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Manchester United set up an FA Cup final with Manchester City with the win in what will be the first all-Manchester clash in the final.

    Solly March, Brighton’s seventh player to step up to the spot in the shootout, launched the ball over the bar.

    Victor Lindelof then found the net to secure a 7-6 shootout victory for Manchester United.

    “It felt great,” Lindelof said later. “It was a great relief and we’re glad to be in the final.

    “I have confidence in myself and I knew which penalty kick I wanted to take and that’s what I did.”

    The nail-biting finale was a fitting ending after 120 goalless minutes of wild swings in a game that careened from end to end all night.

    The quality of the penalty kicks in a torrential downpour was superb with Manchester United finding the net with all seven of their kicks.

    Brighton’s first six efforts were equally impressive until March fired wildly off target.

    “They were great penalty kicks,” Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea said. “I was prepared as always. I tried to put pressure on the takers.

    “There’s still a long way to the final but it will be a big game against one of the best teams in Europe and the world.”

    Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, 12-times FA Cup winners, are chasing a Cup double after winning the League Cup in February.

    Treble-chasing Manchester City await in the final after they beat Sheffield United 3-0 in their semi-final clash on Saturday.

    “We showed at home we can beat them (Manchester City). So, let’s hope,” De Gea said.

    Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-1 in the English Premier League (EPL) at Old Trafford on Jan. 14.

    “We are on the right track. One trophy, another final and fighting for the top four. It’s not enough, but it’s a big step from last season.”

    Sunday’s semi-final was a rematch of the 1983 final, when Brighton lost to Manchester United in the south coast side’s only appearance in the showcase game.

    It had fans on the edge of their seats at Wembley with numerous chances for both sides to break the deadlock, including several in extra time.

    Marcus Rashford’s deflected shot in the extra period was pushed wide by Brighton’s diving goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, and then he fired a long shot that sailed just wide.

    Kaoru Mitoma nearly won it for Brighton late in extra time, but collided with De Gea in the box.

    “It was a very tight game. We played against a very good team,” De Gea said.

    “Brighton play really good football. We are now in the final but we have another big game on Thursday (against Tottenham in the Premier League). So, we need to go home and recover.”

    The loss ended Brighton’s superb run and ended The Seagulls’ hopes of clinching a first-ever major trophy.

    The FA Cup final is on June 3 at Wembley Stadium.

  • FA Cup: Manchester United reach Quarter-Final after beating West Ham 3-1

    FA Cup: Manchester United reach Quarter-Final after beating West Ham 3-1

    Wonderkid, Alejandro Garnacho gave the Red Devils the inspiration needed to comeback from a goal down to defeat Westham United 3-1 in the FA Cup second round game on Wednesday.

    With the win, Erik ten Hag’s men progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they will host Fulham.

    Manchester United already got one silverware already after defeating Newcastle United in the 2023 Carabao cup last Sunday.

    United looked set to be brought back down to earth with a bump after Said Benrahma put David Moyes’ West Ham into a deserved lead at Old Trafford.

    But Nayef Aguerd’s 77th-minute own goal sparked an impressive turnaround, with teenager Garnacho’s superb 90th-minute effort followed by a stoppage-time strike by Fred in a 3-1 triumph. Their quarter-final will take place on the weekend of March 18 and 19.

    There was a sense of relief among the delighted celebrations as Ten Hag’s men progressed from the fifth-round tie despite a shaky performance, keeping their hopes of a quadruple alive.

    “I see today another step,” manager Ten Hag said of Garnacho. “I tell him before the game ‘it’s getting time you had an impact when you come on, but now you need to have impact as a starter’.

     

  • Man Utd left sweating on Eriksen injury scan

    Man Utd left sweating on Eriksen injury scan

    Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has handed manager Erik ten Hag an injury headache.

    Eriksen will undergo a scan to determine the extent of his injury after being seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches following Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Reading.

    The Danish midfielder is waiting to find out how long he faces on the sidelines with concerning footage shared by a fan on Twitter showing him hobbling out of Manchester United’s home ground.

    Eriksen can be seen wearing a grey protective boot and using the aid of two crutches as he exits the stadium after being caught by Reading striker Andy Carroll.

    United manager Ten Hag confirmed he didn’t know how long Eriksen’s injury break could be, admitting in Saturday’s post-match press conference that a diagnosis couldn’t be made until Sunday.

    The Dutchman explained: “It’s always difficult to say in this moment so short after the game has finished.

    “But it’s an ankle [injury]. We have to see what is the diagnosis, so it costs us a minimum of 24 hours before we know that and then I can say more.”

  • Brighton dump defending champions, Liverpool out of FA cup

    Brighton dump defending champions, Liverpool out of FA cup

    Liverpool’s chances of clinching a silverware this season suffered a great setback after losing to Brighton 2-1 in this year’s English FA cup.

    Liverpool drew the first blood of the encounter when youngster Harvey Elliot scored the opener inside 31st minute but Darek Lamptey’s long range shot was intercepted by Brighton’s Lewis Dunk to sail through into Liverpool’s goal in the  43rd minute.

    Upon resumption in the second half, both teams pressed for a goal and created a lot of chances.

    However, in the closing stages of the game, Kaoru Mitoma, who cost about £3m, scored the most glorious injury-time winner to settle an excellent game. It was a perfect demonstration of everything that makes Mitoma one of the most likeable players in English football right now: technique, imagination, style, and a resting heart-rate when everyone else is racing through the cardio zone.

    Liverpool only hopes of winning a silverware this season is the Europe Champions Legue where they will be facing last year’s winner Real Madrid in the second round of the tournament later in February.

     

  • Manchester City dump Arsenal out of FA cup

    Manchester City dump Arsenal out of FA cup

    League leaders Arsenal were on Friday night dumped out of the FA cup by Manchester City courtesy of Nathan Ake’s 64th minute low drive goal solitary goal.

    Gunners had a wonderful; first half creating chances and breaking Manchester City on the counter whilst  the  Citizens also had few attempts at goal.

    Upon resumption in the second half, the host changed their tactics and one of their upsurge forward resulted in a solitary goal that bundled Arsenal out of the competition.

    Erling Haaland was quiet but the fact that City got over the line against opponents who have become so formidable, and who have lost only one league game this season, will delight Guardiola.

    It was victory that came at a cost, however, with defender John Stones – so outstanding for his club this season and for England at the World Cup – forced off on the stroke of half-time after pulling up clutching his hamstring.

    Stones has been an influential presence for City and Guardiola will hope the medical bulletin does not present a long-term problem.

    The result meant Arsenal are no longer in contention in any domestic competition apart from the League which they are the favourite to win.

    However, Arsenal are still very much involved in the continental competition Europa League.

    Manchester City are through to the fifth round of the English FA cup and will await their opponent as the tournament progresses.

  • I’m not bothered about Man Utd – Paul Ince

    I’m not bothered about Man Utd – Paul Ince

    Reading boss Paul Ince says he’s unfazed about going to former club Manchester United this weekend for the FA Cup.

    Ince joined United from West Ham for £1million in 1989 and he went on to enjoy great success at Old Trafford, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup and one UEFA Super Cup across his time at the club.

    Now in charge of the Royals, Ince said: “I’m not bothered about Manchester United, to be perfectly honest. It’s a great draw for the fans and financially it will be great for the club.

    “But for me, it’s just another distraction. It’s a fantastic day out [for Reading supporters], I’m just disappointed it’s on a Saturday evening at 8pm on ITV with our fans who have got to get up there and back.

    “Anybody would love the opportunity to play at Old Trafford, I played there for six years and won some fantastic trophies there. It’s the Theatre of Dreams, so for our players to experience that will be great.

    “It takes the Championship stress away, but it’ll be a great day for the fans.”

    On facing United’s in-form striker Marcus Rashford, Ince also said: “Hopefully he’s not going to play! I was a bit disappointed they won 3-0 the other night because he might play against us now because it looks like that tie is more or less over. Like any player, it’s all about confidence and the right manager coming in and noticing how to build confidence. It is never easy because we saw in the past two years he had lost some of it.

    “To see him doing what he does best is great for Manchester United and their fans. He is unplayable at the moment, unstoppable. The goal he scored against Forest showed what type of form he is in. We can’t be thinking about stopping Rashford though.

    “They have so many top players – Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Wout Weghorst who got his first goal against Forest. It’s not about us stopping players, it’s about us going there and putting in a performance.”

  • FA Cup: Liverpool zoom past Wolves 1-0 at the Molineux stadium

    FA Cup: Liverpool zoom past Wolves 1-0 at the Molineux stadium

    Liverpool on Tuesday night zoomed past Wolves in the second leg of this  season FA cup third round  encounter at the Molineux.

    Liverpool had played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the encounter at Anfield.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side came in for scathing criticsm after losing their last two Premier League games in desultory fashion at Brighton and Brentford.

    Elliot received a pass from a teammate dashed forward and chose to send a long range shot towards the on rushing goalie, Hugo Lloris.

    The young lad’s goal was what Liverpool needed to book qualification to the fourth round of the competition.

    The Reds’ dismal 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday left them languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of the top four.

    In the bout of soul-searching that followed that embarrassment, Klopp said his struggling team needed to go “back to basics”.

    Amid mounting questions about Klopp’s own future at Anfield, the German said this week that he will not leave the club unless he is forced to and hinted at changes in his squad during the summer.

    – Tenacious Liverpool –
    Sa was caught too far off his line but that should not detract from the quality of Elliott’s first goal since October.

    Snapping into tackles and winning second balls, Liverpool were showing more hunger and tenacity than in recent weeks.

    Gakpo was still searching for his first Liverpool goal in his third appearance since signing from PSV Eindhoven.

    The Netherlands forward nearly broke his duck with a dipping volley that flashed just over.

    Gakpo was replaced by Salah for the last 25 minutes, but it was Wolves who finished strongly with Ruben Neves’ free-kick narrowly clearing the crossbar.

    Wolves’ best chance to draw level came when Jimenez couldn’t head home on the goalline from Traore’s cross as Joe Gomez got the crucial block.

    Klopp will have been especially pleased by the sight of Liverpool’s defenders throwing their bodies in the way of every Wolves attack in a frantic finale.

    Elsewhere, Championship side Birmingham survived a scare in their 2-1 win at third-tier Forest Green.

    In a delayed third-round clash after the original tie was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Ben Stevenson’s brilliant long-range strike put Forest Green ahead after eight minutes.

    But Lukas Jutkiewicz grabbed Birmingham’s equaliser with a low finish in the 50th minute.

    And Kevin Long killed off League One’s bottom club in the 65th minute when he netted after Forest Green failed to clear a corner.

    Birmingham will face second-tier Blackburn in the fourth round.

    Result meant Liverpool will will slug it out with Brighton in the fourth round of the competition at the American City Stadium.