Fulham went down to nine men as Manchester United produced one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the FA Cup. Marco Silva’s team appeared to be in control of the quarter-final after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goal early in the second half, but Willian’s handball began an incredible reversal that saw coach Silva, Mitrovic, and the Brazilian all sent off. Bruno Fernandes leveled the score from the penalty spot, and Marcel Sabitzer’s brilliant goal from close range sealed the comeback, leaving Fulham’s remaining nine men in despair. Fernandes’ thunderous finish provided late gloss to the scoreline, and Erik ten Hag’s men will face Brighton at Wembley next month.
Fulham was the more impressive team for much of the day, putting United’s six-month unbeaten streak in front of their home fans in jeopardy. The visiting team took a merited lead when Mitrovic converted Issa Diop’s flick into the net early in the second half. United struggled to gain control in midfield without the suspended Casemiro. Joao Palhinha, back in the Fulham midfield after his own ban, was the dominant figure in the middle of the pitch. Then the game changed.
United replied quickly, and after Jadon Sancho had rounded Bernd Leno, Willian chose to stop the ball with his hand near the goal line. That was discovered following a VAR review, and while there was sympathy for the player, there was none for his teammate’s behavior. Mitrovic forcefully shoved referee Chris Kavanagh, forcing the office to remove him from the field. Ten players would have been difficult. The impossible was made feasible by nine, and when Fernandes converted his spot-kick, the momentum was irresistible.
Sabitzer, on the other hand, deserves credit for the finish that put United ahead. Fulham knew it was all over when the midfielder turned in Luke Shaw’s center. Fernandes’ second goal of the game made it look easy. But this was a bizarre game.
“We were definitely the superior team on the field until the penalty and red card. We admired Manchester United, but it was evident that we were the better team on the field,” Fulham boss Marco Silva said. “What’s puzzling is why, in the first half, there were two instances in their box where one of them was an obvious penalty on Mitrovic, and no one checked. If you ask me if I did something I am proud of, I would say no. But if you ask me if that should be a red card, I have serious reservations. I’m curious what the referee will write about what I said to him.”
“I’m losing some faith in United right now. I thought they were up for it a month or two ago. Yet in the last couple of games, I’ve noticed some tendencies returning,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said. “It’s OK to play in moments now and again, but it feels like their DNA right now. They’ve developed some extremely nasty behaviors. They arrived today hoping to win the game since they have strong players. But if they show up for the semi-finals with such mindset, Brighton will beat them. United requires a smack in the backside.”
Fulham returns to action after the international break on Saturday, April 1, when they travel to Bournemouth, while Manchester United continues its schedule the following day. Ten Hag’s team travels to Newcastle for Super Sunday, which kicks off at 4.30 p.m. at Saint James’ Park.
“We talked about Bruno Fernandes versus Liverpool the other week, and while I didn’t think it was a red card infraction, I did say I don’t condone anyone touching a referee,” referee Dermot Gallagher said. “In Mitrovic’s instance, though, I believe it is far more aggressive. He’s grabbed the ref’s arm and is pulling him back. He got a red card, and everything you witnessed after the red card was so violent and unpleasant towards Chris Kavanagh, which is why I think he did an absolutely amazing job for himself and referees in general because he kept his cool. He didn’t react to it or become engrossed in it. He kept his cool, and I applaud him for it. He fought for what referees fight for.”
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