United States
United KingdomOn Saturday the bulk of the FA Cup fifth round ties took place, with the likes of Manchester United, Southampton and Brighton booking their places in the quarter-finals. If you missed what happened in Friday night’s games there is a recap here.
If you want to find out what happened in Saturday’s ties read on.
Huddersfield Town 0-2 Manchester United
Manchester United made it through to the last eight in a comfortable manner. However, the biggest talking point of the game involved a controversial VAR decision that saw a Juan Mata goal ruled out.
The Red Devils took an early lead when Juan Mata found Romelu Lukaku, who was too strong for Christopher Schindler and fired a low effort into the bottom corner of Jonas Lossl.
Then came the controversy, as Mata fired home from an Ashley Young cross. Referee Kevin Friend then waited for two minutes to disallow the goal because of offside according to VAR. However, there was controversy surrounding the decision, as the lines used by VAR did not appear straight. The Red Devils wrapped up victory ten minutes into the second half, as Lukaku picked up a pass from Alexis Sanchez and beat Lossl.
Huddersfield can now concentrate on preserving their top-flight status in the Premier League. Meanwhile Manchester United will host fellow top-flight outfit Brighton Hove Albion in the quarter-finals. Jose Mourinho’s side are one of the favourites to lift the trophy this season.
Brighton moved into the quarter-finals of the competition with ease at the AMEX Stadium, with League Two Coventry unable to cause a shock.
Brighton’s record signing Jurgen Locadia took just 15 minutes to score on his debut, as Dutchman fired home from Anthony Knockaert’s cross. The Seagulls doubled their lead on 34 minutes, as centre-back Connor Goldson headed home from a corner kick. Chris Hughton’s side virtually sealed victory just after the hour-mark, as Leonardo Ulloa headed home from Bruno’s cross.
The visitors did score a consolation goal on 77 minutes. After hitting the woodwork earlier in the game, Jonson Clarke-Harris scored with a very well taken effort.
Hove Albion will take part in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1986. However, Chris Hughton’s side have a tough task on their hands to make it past Jose Mourinho’s United in the next round.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Swansea
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal returned to Yorkshire just months after leaving the Owls. It was not a memorable return for the Portuguese boss, with the game producing a stalemate.
Both sides could have done without the replay, as Wednesday are not completely clear of the Championship relegation zone. The Swans are also right in the thick of the Premier League battle. The winners of the replay will play either Rochdale or Tottenham in the next round.
Southampton won this battle of the Premier League strugglers to set up a meeting with either Wigan or Manchester City in the last eight.
The visitors took the lead on 11 minutes, as Dutch centre-back Wesley Hoedt volleyed home from a corner kick. The team from the south coast doubled their lead on 56 minutes. Guido Carrillo’s cross found Dusan Tadic who controlled the ball before it took a fortuitous bounce and the attacking midfielder chipped the ball over the outrushing Ben Foster.
Arguably, the goal of the game arrived two minutes later. Grzegorz Krychowiak hit a hopeful ball towards Salomon Rondon, who allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder and then volleyed home from around 25 yards out. However, the goal turned out to be nothing but a consolation prize for the struggling Baggies.
Both teams will return to the fight against Premier League relegation next weekend, with top-flight the survival for both teams.
Who will win this season’s FA Cup?
