Man U survive Coventry scare to reach FA Cup final

LONDON, England (AP):

Manchester United set up another FA Cup final against fierce rivals Manchester City in a way no one could ever have imagined.

In a semifinal match yesterday that will live long in the memory, United blew a three-goal lead against second-tier Coventry, were saved by the narrowest of offside calls by the VAR in stoppage time of extra time to keep the score at 3-3, then came from behind in a penalty shootout to advance to the May 25 title match back at Wembley Stadium.

United’s celebrations after Rasmus Hojlund converted the clinching spot kick for a 4-2 win in the shootout were as much of relief as joy. Indeed, United’s players looked sheepish – almost embarrassed – as they left the field at England’s national stadium compared to their Coventry counterparts, who received the adulation of their proud, flag-waving, blue-clad fans.

Advancing to the final in this manner will do nothing to quell the growing uncertainty around the position of United manager Erik ten Hag, whose job might not be saved even by beating City. United, the grandest club in England, are languishing in seventh place in the Premier League and the team’s late collapse against Coventry followed a trend of similar performances in recent weeks that will alarm new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, who was in the crowd at Wembley after having run the London Marathon.

“The standard of the club is much higher than what we have been doing,” said United captain Bruno Fernandes, who could barely raise a smile despite his team getting to an FA Cup final.

City, who defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the first of the semifinals on Saturday, were 2-1 winners over United in last year’s final on their way to claiming a Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League treble.

That was the first-ever cup final between the fierce local rivals, and another has arrived 12 months later. Few will expect a different outcome in next month’s match, by which time City will hope to have been crowned Premier League champions again.

“It’s mixed feelings,” Ten Hag said of beating Coventry. “The way we did it isn’t OK.”

United have picked up a nasty habit of blowing leads and it happened again against an inspired Coventry team, eighth in the Championship and managed by Mark Robins – a former Man United striker who might have saved Alex Ferguson from getting fired three years into his storied tenure as United manager.

Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes – with a shot that took a deflection before ricocheting into the net – scored to put United 3-0 up by the 58th minute.

Coventry, who were bidding to become the first non-Premier League club since Cardiff in 2008 to reach the final, fought back in remarkable fashion with goals from Ellis Sims in the 71st, Callum O’Hare in the 79th and then Haji Wright with an equalising penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Coventry were arguably the stronger of the teams in extra time, with Sims hitting the crossbar and Victor Torp having a goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time ruled out because of a close offside call against Wright in the build-up.

“Had he cut his toe nail, it wouldn’t have gone to penalties,” Robins said.

United midfielder Casemiro, who played out of position at centre back in the match, missed the first penalty of the shootout but United recovered, with Coventry failing twice from the spot.

LIVERPOOL WIN

Liverpool stayed competitive in the Premier League title race with a 3-1 win at Fulham that was illuminated by a stunning free kick by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota also scored for Liverpool, who moved level on points with leaders Arsenal in the standings, but have an inferior goal difference. They are one point ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Other results: Aston Villa 3 Bournemouth 1; Everton 2 Nottingham Forest 0; Crystal Palace 5 West Ham 2.