Manchester United 3 West Ham 1 (FA Cup)
It seems like a good time to be playing a below full-strength United side, distracted by a Carabao Cup win. Sabitzer tests Areola early on but West Ham have the better of the first half. A great ball from Benrahma releases Antonio, but he never looks like scoring in a one-on-one with De Gea and waits too long before shooting against the keeper. An Emerson cross fizzes across the goal with Fornals standing still and that moment reveals just why we need Danny Ings in the side to gamble and get in the box.
Casemiro comes on for United at half-time as Ten Hag gets worried. The Irons take a deserved lead as United appeal that the ball has gone out for a throw. Soucek just keeps the ball in play and finds Emerson. The left-back passes to Benrahma who arrows a great effort into the top corner. The 4000 away fans celebrate and dream of another Di Canio-esque Cup win at Old Trafford.
All seems to be going to plan. Fornals hits a low cross across goal with no-one there to tap it home, then Antonio does well to beat Martinez for speed but, perhaps haunted by his first half miss, instead of crossing he fires against De Gea's legs. Two fine saves from De Gea but Antonio seems to have lost the art of good decision-making when given time in the box. It proves costly.
Rashford is now on and Casemiro has a header disallowed correctly for offside. On 77 minutes United win a corner after a miskick by Aguerd. Areola comes but fails to clean out his defenders and Nayef Aguerd back-heads the ball into his own net. Sod it.
The game looks to be going into extra-time with 90 minutes gone, but Weghorst's shot deflects to Garnacho on the edge of the box. Johnson could be a but tighter and the winger curls a great finish into the far corner. United score an undeserved third in the fifth minute of extra time when poor old Aguerd makes a hash of a routine clearance and Fred strikes home.
On ITV we then get to see Roy Keane patronise West Ham just to make it a bit worse. So our FA Cup Final breakfast at Nigel's gaff in Kew is cancelled for the 17th season running. It's not the despair, etc. A good performance for 77 minutes but if you don't take your chances against top sides and then give them an own goal this is the result.
3 comments:
The story of our season summed up in one game
Indeed, flattering to deceive. Though Aguerd has generally been good and Ings offers some hope.
This is so accurate post by the writer.
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