Penalty kicks save Manchester United from the Coventry uprising and qualify them for the FA Cup final

England – Manchester United qualified for the FA Cup final by defeating Coventry City from the second level (Championship) on kicks 4-3 following the end of regular and extra time of their match in a 3-3 draw.

United controlled the proceedings from the beginning, searching for a goal that would open the way for them to the final, which is scheduled to be held on the 25th of next May.

Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag’s team achieved what it wanted and opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Scot Scott McTominay, who received the ball at the right post from a cross by Portuguese Diogo Dalo, and deposited it into the net, taking advantage of a wrong exit by goalkeeper Bradley Collins.

When the first half was drawing its last breath, United added the second goal in the final seconds with a header by Harry Maguire following a corner kick taken from the right side by Portuguese Bruno Fernandes (1 + 45).

At the beginning of the second half, United believed that they had dealt the final blow to Coventry City by adding the third goal through Bruno Fernandes, in front of whom the ball fell following the defender extracted it from Marcus Rashford, so he shot it from a narrow angle to pass defender Bobby Thomas and deceive goalkeeper Collins (59).

But United’s laxity allowed Coventry to return to the match by reducing the gap in the 71st minute through Ellis Sims following a cross from Portuguese Fabio Tavares. Then the “Red Devils” fans lived through difficult moments following Coventry added the second goal through Callum O’Hare (79′).

The comeback would have been almost complete if United’s goalkeeper, Onana, had not excelled in blocking a missile shot by Dane Victor Top (85), and then the shock occurred in stoppage time when the ball bounced off the hand of United’s defender, Wan-Bissaka, in the forbidden area, so the referee awarded a penalty kick for which he was awarded. Haji Wright successfully scored (5+90), forcing two additional periods.

The score remained the same (3-3) in the extra two periods, following which the two teams resorted to penalty kicks, which made United smile.

United joined its arch-neighbor, Manchester City, the defending champion, who qualified for the final yesterday, Saturday, by defeating Chelsea 1-0.

Source: Agencies