That was certainly something, wasn’t it? The FA Cup quarter-finals lived up to their billing and we now know the final four. Here’s your review of the action this weekend.
Wolves left stunned
The game at Molineux really sparked into life in the second half, though Coventry did have the home side on the ropes before the break.
Wolves dominated the ball in the first half with 62% possession but the visitors carved out the better chances, ending the opening 45 minutes with an Expected Goals total of 1.65.
The in-form Ellis Simms opened the scoring in the 53rd minute and it appeared as though the former Everton striker was going to be the match-winner.
However, with just seven minutes of normal time remaining, Wolves got their goal courtesy of Rayan Aït-Nouri. The marauding wing-back then assisted Hugo Bueno just six minutes later as the hosts turned the game around with two quick fire goals.
A semi-final place was there for Gary O’Neil’s side. But Coventry had other ideas. Simms notched his second of the afternoon in the 97th minute before Haji Wright scored the winner in the 100th minute to send the Championship side into the final four. They deserved it too.
The champions progress
It was a routine win for Manchester City on Saturday evening against Newcastle United.
The hosts had a 2-0 lead heading into the break with Bernardo Silva netting a double. The Portuguese playmaker was given more freedom in attack at the Etihad with a midfield pairing of Mateo Kovačić and Rodri behind him.
The No. 20 completed 96% of his passes and created a chance for a teammate in an eye-catching performance.
Newcastle didn’t really threaten the champions. The Magpies had just 28% possession and could manage only two shots on goal.
In truth, it was all too easy for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Stoppage time drama at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea made hard work of it against Championship side Leicester City but eventually got the job done.
The Blues had a 2-0 lead going into the break with Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer finding the back of the net for the hosts.
However, just five minutes into the second half, an Axel Disasi own goal halved the deficit. Just after the hour mark, the Foxes had their equaliser when Stephy Mavididi scored with his only shot of the game.
The visitors lost a man just 10 minutes later when Callum Doyle was sent off.
Chelsea huffed and puffed but it appeared as though the game would be heading for extra time. The hosts managed to dig deep, though, to find a deserved winner with Carney Chukwuemeka scoring in the 92nd minute. Noni Madueke then added an exclamation point with a fourth in the 98th minute.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are heading to Wembley, again.
Manchester United shock lacklustre Liverpool
The game of the weekend finished off the quarter-final fixtures. Manchester United hosted Liverpool in what is going to go down as an all-time FA Cup classic.
The Red Devils took an early lead on Saturday afternoon when Scott McTominay poked home from close range after a bright start by the hosts.
Liverpool then hit back just before half-time with Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah both finding the back of the net during a three minute blitz.
Antony, brought on by Erik ten Hag, levelled things up in the 87th minute to take the game into extra time.
Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott fired the Reds into the lead again just before the end of the first half of extra time.
Marcus Rashford, who earlier missed the chance to win the game, capitalised on a poor Darwin Núñez pass to make it 3-3 with just eight minutes remaining.
Then, in the last minute of extra time, United countered a Liverpool corner and Amad Diallo showed great composure to fire his effort into the bottom corner and book Manchester United’s place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Liverpool’s quadruple dream ends at Old Trafford.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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