This was the 2nd FA Cup semi final this season, and Manchester City won the first one against Chelsea. Coventry have had a good run in the cup this year, Manchester United got through dramatically against Liverpool in the quarter finals, so could Mark Robins lead Coventry to a FA Cup final, or could United get into the final and make it back to back Manchester derby finals?
It was played at Wembley Stadium
After three minutes, good by United as Mainoo drove down left and cut ball inside to Fernandes, he found Garnacho whose shot blocked.
A couple of minutes later, Garnacho’s low ball fizzed in and towards Hojlund and Coventry put behind for a corner, from corner Coventry cleared it and Onana sent brilliant ball upfield to Fernandes, his flick released Garnacho but lost his bearings and shanked a shot wide.
After 12 minutes, ball ricocheted and Wright looked to be in on goal, but Dalot got back superbly.
Seven minutes later, huge chance for United as Casemiro floated a super ball over defence which Rashford took in his stride, drove past Van Ewijk and only had Collins to beat, but somehow shanked wide.
1st United goal- McTominay tapin
Midway through first half, United deservedly ahead as Dalot made a super overlapping run before getting ball from Garnacho, he whipped a first time cross in down corridor of uncertainty and McTominay there to meet it in 6 yard box.
Just after half hour, Coventry freekick blocked by the wall.
A minute later, Garnacho scampered behind defence, Collins alert though.
After 40 minutes, Eccles drove brilliantly down the right before crossing but Dalot did a great last ditch tackle.
On stroke of half time, Dalot in acres of space and rolled ball into Rashford’s path and his fierce shot towards top corner but Collins got fingertips to it.
2nd United goal- Maguire header
In 1st minute of stoppage time, Maguire unmarked and planted a header into bottom corner.
Halftime score: Coventry City 0-2 Manchester United
A fairly solid first half for United, Coventry had a couple of chances so could United see it out 2nd half?
After 48 minutes, Fernandes shot 20 yards out and stunning shot flashed past top corner.
Two minutes later, Fernandes rolled freekick to Rashford who shot 20 yards out but effort hit Hojlund before it could test Collins.
After 55 minutes, Bidwell swung teasing ball into United area which looked set to fall for Latibeaudiere at back post, but Wan-Bissaka recovered from poor position to turn behind for corner.
3rd United goal- Fernandes bottom corner
Just before the hour, just as Coventry were looking to get back in it, United looked like they’d sealed it as Garnacho led a swift United counter and shifted it out to Rashford, who lost possession, but Fernandes picked ball up, fashioned yard of space and found the net with a deflection, game over?
Two minutes later, nealy four for United as Casemiro unmarked at back post and headed freekick back across goal, Garnacho shanked one which fell for Maguire but he only diverted ball over.
After 68 minutes, O’Hare got his head to a cross from right, and looped over bar.
1st Coventry goal- Simms bottom corner
With 20 minutes to play, Coventry pulled one back as Tavares cross came to Simms who shinned one in at near post, they couldn’t could they?
2nd Coventry goal- O’Hare far corner
After 79 minutes, Coventry right back in this as Simms broke down left, held it up before squaring to O’Hare, tried a shot 20 yards out and shot took huge deflection off Wan-Bissaka which looped into farcorner.
After 85 minutes, Torp’s superb volley denied by a even better save by Onana.
Three minutes later, Fernandes squared for Hojlund who dallied on ball and Coventry cleared.
Coventry penalty-Wan-Bissaka handball
In 3rd minute of stoppage time, cross was sent in , struck Wan-Bissaka’s arms and ref pointed to the spot.
3rd Coventry goal and equaliser- Wright
Two minutes later, Wright sent Onana the wrong way and incredibly Coventry had completed the most amazing comeback.
In 6th minute of stoppage time, Tavares scampered down right and found Simms in area, but ball stuck under his feet and couldn’t get shot away.
Even though only 6 minuted added on, United had a chance in the 9th minute as Amad drove him away from defenders, before releasing Fernandes, he drove to byline and flashed a shot towards Hojlund but Collins stuck leg out to clear.
Fulltime score: Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United
It looked like United were cruising to the final, but Coventry had other ideas and came back in astonishing fashion, how would this extra half hour go?
In 94th minute, Hojlund led the counter and Amasd down right, checked inside and laid off to Fernandes who rifled one against the underside of the bar, ball crashed down on line but deemed not to go over.
After 102 minutes, Sheaf created space to shoot but Onana watched it go wide.
On the stroke of halftime in extra time, Forson tried beating Collins with dipping shot, but he got a fingertip to it, behind for a corner which came to nothing.
Halftime of extra time: Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United
United half chances in first half of extra time, but momemntum with Coventry, could there be a winner before penalties?
After 107 minutes, Maguire kept driving forward into Coventry area, and shot was heading for far corner, but Collins got a fingertip to it, and corner came to nothing.
Three minutes later, Godden streaked behind United defence and Casemiro desperately tracked back and managed to divert it behind for a corner, came to nothing.
A minute later, great chance for Coventry as stunning counter sparked by a well timed tackle on Fernandes by Thomas, and then Coventry broke at pace and Wright in on goal but dragged shot wide.
After 116 minutes, Simms held ball up in United area, spun marker and smashed a shot off the underside of the bar, bounced down but didn’t go over line, and United escaped.
4th Coventry goal- Torp bottom corner or was it?
In the 1st minute of stoppage time, Coventry thought theyd won it and completed the most incredible comeback, as Torp finished nicely into bottom corner, VAR checked but they ruled it was offside, harsh on Coventry.
Fulltime of extra time: Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United
Coventry thought theyd won it, United got a massive letoff and we were set for penalties, how would the shootout go?
Casemiro poor penalty saved by Collins
Wright scored for Coventry
Dalot sent Collins wrong way and scored for United
Torp scored for Coventry
Eriksen bottom corner for United
O’Hare penalty saved for Coventry
Fernandes scored for United
Sheaf skied it for Coventry
Hojlund scored to win it for United
A massive letoff for United who didn’t even celebrate ebcause they knew they should never have let it get to 3-3, but it was a all Manchester final for 2nd year running.
Highlights of this incredible game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je6JwuVDjSs
Next for United is a midweek league game as they welcome Sheffield United to Old Trafford on Wednesday 24th April 2024 with a 8pm kickoff.
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