LONDON: Alejandro Garnacho and Fred struck late as Manchester United came from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday but Tottenham were stunned by Championship side Sheffield United. left
In the evening’s other fifth-round ties, fourth-tier Grimsby beat Premier League strugglers Southampton 2-1 and Burnley beat 10-man Fleetwood 1-0.
Manchester United, who made six changes to the team that started Sunday’s League Cup final win over Newcastle, lacked fluidity in front of an expectant Old Trafford crowd.
United goalkeeper David De Gea thwarted Michael Antonio after the West Ham forward got down in the middle of the goal early on and Emerson Palmieri flicked an inviting ball into the box.
United manager Erik ten Hague brought on Casemiro for Scott McTominay at half-time but the home side remained sluggish.
Said Benerhama made them pay in the 54th minute, rifling the ball past De Gea after the home defenders stopped, thinking the ball had gone out for him.
The goal prompted Ten Hague to introduce top scorer Marcus Rashford but Antonio had a wonderful chance to double West Ham’s lead, only to be denied again by De Gea.
Casemiro headed the ball into the net in the 72nd minute but his header from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
United finally equalized five minutes later when Fernandez headed in a corner and Naif Agward headed into his own goal.
The home side — still riding high after ending their six-year trophy drought at the weekend — went in search of a winner.
They got their reward when Argentine teenager Garnacho produced a superb right-footed curler to put United ahead in the 90th minute, followed by a stoppage-time strike from Fred.
“The best teams never stop believing,” United captain Harry Maguire told JEE News. “I’m not saying we’re one of the best teams yet.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do but we’re getting there, we’re making strides… It felt like Stratford End were sucking the goals in there at the end.”
Spurs thrown out
Tottenham were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship opposition for the second consecutive year as Elliman Nadaye beat promotion-chasing Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
Spurs, who started Harry Kane on the bench, conceded in the 79th minute and could not find a way back, Kane heading Ivan Perisic’s cross into injury time.
Tottenham assistant manager Christian Stellini stood up for Antonio Conte, who is recovering from gallbladder surgery, and apologized to fans.
“If you don’t win a game like this, it’s because nothing was perfect and our energy today wasn’t enough to trouble the opponent,” he told JEE News.
New Southampton manager Robin Sales has made nine changes to his team for the home tie against League Two Grimsby.
Two Gaon Holohan penalties either side of half-time put the visitors 2-0 up and although Doje Kalita Carr halved the deficit, Grimsby held on.
“We came in hoping for a miracle and to get to the quarter-finals is unbelievable,” Grimsby manager Paul Hurst told JEE News. “It’s just a fantastic day, we’ve gone down in the history books.”
Championship leaders Burnley needed a 90th-minute goal from Connor Roberts to get past 10 men of League One Fleetwood.
In Tuesday’s matches, Manchester City beat Bristol City 3-0 while 2021 winners Leicester suffered a 2-1 defeat against second-tier Blackburn.
Fulham beat Premier League strugglers Leeds 2-0 and Brighton won 1-0 at Championship side Stoke.
City take on Burnley in the quarter-finals, with Manchester United hosting Fulham. Grimsby travel to Brighton while Sheffield United host Blackburn.
