Fulham topple Manchester United in penalty shootout victory, after historic night at Old Trafford, to clinch quarter-finals
Fulham have claimed their spot in the last eight of the FA Cup, after beating Manchester United 4-3 on penalties, as Joshua Zirkzee’s decisive kick was kept out by a brilliant Bernd Leno.
Manchester United and Fulham fans had stood together outside Old Trafford ahead of this fifth-round clash to protest continuous rises in ticket prices, but as the whistle began their 94th meeting in all competitions, the line was firmly drawn.
For the hosts, they went into this game as the current and 13-time FA cup holders, looking to be the second side since Arsenal in 2014 and 2015 to retain the trophy. For the visitors, they’re still awaiting their first major cup. But that stark contrast couldn’t speak less for the two sides’ very contrary seasons.
This marked United's third meeting with Fulham this season, with both previous league encounters going the way of the hosts in unconvincing 1-0 wins. They had previously progressed from their past nine FA Cup ties against Fulham, since a 2-1 defeat in 1908.
Silva had noted his sides “really big” ambition with the competition ahead of the game, and felt they have “been able to be really serious” with their matches.
And in what had been a lethargic first half in attacking action from the Cottagers, it seemed that Saša Lukić’s skewed headed attempt in the 37th minute from a clever Alex Iwobi cross would be the sole talking point at the break on the West London side.
But from one Nigerian’s heroics to the next, as in his first FA Cup appearance, Calvin Bassey’s glancing header found the back of Andre Onana’s net, following combination work from Andreas Pereira to find Rodrigo Muniz from the corner. The deadlock had been broken in the only minute of first-half injury time.
This was now the sixth game in succession that United had conceded first in. Despite a half where they had looked reasonable around the pitch, particularly in the way of forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund’s attempts, it was Ruben Amorim’s sides 12th goal conceded this season from corner situations.
His side were sung off in several boos from the crowd, whilst Silvas side had Bassey’s name serenaded to the tune of Lady Gagas ‘Paparazzi’. Whilst both nowhere near their best, it spoke to the necessity of Manchester United getting back into the game.
And nearly 27 minutes on, that responsibility fell to the captain, as Bruno Fernandes took Diogo Dalot’s bobbling cross first time to find the bottom corner. The Portuguese pair had drawn their side level with 19 minutes of regulation time left to play.
Neither side could find the final pass and following an unconvincing shot from Garnacho after a perfect lob from Zirkzee in injury time, another 30 minutes was to come.
It was an arduous affair for both sides, particularly for United's Chido Obi-Martin who was given his blushes as centimetres separated him from putting his side ahead, but it was full plaudits for Bernd Leno who pulled off the super save to deny that achievement, before play was finally stopped to send the game to penalties.
Victor Lindelof was the first to miss from 12 yards out with Leno getting down to his right. As Antonee Robinson converted, it was all on Zirkzee who had won it against Arsenal earlier this season, but it wasn’t to be as another Leno save sent the holders out.
“Penalties is sometimes a lottery, but luckily, we won,” said Leno. “The goalie coach had told me some information, but I think my feeling is more important. There’s sometimes a bit of luck; I went the wrong way three times...but brilliant job from all of us,” he said when asked on the two deciding saves.
Fulham will now host Crystal Palace in the last eight for a potential sixth appearance in the semi-finals.