Last weekend saw the FA Cup return for the quarter-finals, as we approach the business end of the competition it was all to play for as Wembley awaited the winners. Here are TIBS NEWS winners and losers from the action.
WINNERS
5. Manchester City
Manchester City left it late to beat a spirited Everton side. Goals from Iikay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne sent the Citizens to their fourth FA Cup semi-final in five seasons.
There wasn’t a lot of action in the first half before City stepped up their effort to strike late when Gundogan reacted quickest to head the ball in on the 84th minute before De Bruyne sealed the victory six minutes later.
The result meant City have won 25 out their last 26 matches and are still battling on four fonts.
4. Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten as Chelsea’s boss with a 2-0 victory against struggling Sheffield United. An own goal by Oliver Norwood and Hakim Zyiech goal ensured Chelsea made it to yet another semi-final, their fourth in five seasons like City.
Chelsea took the lead after Ben Chilwell’s strike was turned into his own net by Norwood. Zyiech slotted home in the 92nd minute after a quick counter attack.
Chelsea have now gone over 11 hours without conceding a goal at Stamford Bridge, the last coming in the FA Cup against Luton Town which was Frank Lampard’s last game in charge.
3. Nathan Redmond
A superb performance from the Southampton player with two goals and an assist to his name in Saints’s victory against south coast rivals Bournemouth.
Redmond’s first goal involvement was to set up Moussa Djenpo before he tucked the ball in after 37 minutes before scoring himself on the stroke of half-time. He added his second and Saints third in the 59th minute with a lovely finish into the bottom corner.
2. Leicester City
Leicester City made it to the semi-final for the first time since 1982 with a convincing victory over Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes were missing several first team players through injury but that did not stop them taking the lead in the 24th minute with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring from close range.
Youri Tielemans added a second in the 52nd minute before Iheanacho put the game to bed with another close-range finish in the 78th minute. Leicester will be hoping to make history and finally win the FA Cup.
1. Southampton
Southampton took the bragging rights on the South Coast with victory over Bournemouth in the quarter-final.
Goals from Djenpo and two from Redmond fired Saints into the last four for only the second time in 18 seasons.
Southampton took control of the game early on and were rewarded in the 37th minute as Djenpo finished a lovely move. Redmond scored his first in the first half. Saints had the ball in in the back of the net twice before VAR overruled the decision.
Redmond put the game beyond their hosts in the 59th minute. Southampton will be hoping to win the FA Cup for only the second time in their history, the first coming in 1976. Southampton are yet to concede a goal in this seasons competition.
LOSERS
5. Fred (Manchester United).
Despite having a good season, another mistake from Fred proved costly as Manchester United exited the FA Cup.
Fred was caught on his heels in the 24th minute as a Leicester high press forced the Brazil player to take a heavy touch before trying to find his goalkeeper.
Iheanacho took advantage of the back-pass and slotted home from close range. Fred has had a few mistakes him in him this season which have led to goals.
4. Sheffield United
Sheffield United only have pride to play for after going out of the FA Cup at the hands to Chelsea, the competition that has served the Blades well this season ended by an Oliver Norwood own goal and a strike from Hakim Zyiech.
The Blades had good spells between the opener in the 24th minute and took control in the second half as they looked for an equaliser.
David McGoldrick had a few chances to level and missed a glorious chance when he headed wide from yards out. A game of missed opportunities for Sheffield United
3. Bournemouth
Bournemouth had been on a good cup run this season, making history and being the only non-Premier league side left in the quarter-final stage.
Despite only being relegated to the Championship the different in class showed through as they suffered defeat to Southampton.
Bournemouth failed to capitalise on key moments in the game and were undone by Redmond. The result leaves the Cherries with a fight on their hands to try and make an instant return to the Premier league. They are currently seventh in the Championship, three points off the play-off places with a game in hand.
2. Everton
Another season has gone by without Everton coming close to winning silverware.
Hopes had been high as the Toffees had made the quarter-final stage for the first time since the 15/16 season.
Everton played a defensive game in the opening half but created the best chance when Yerry Mina’s effort was cleared off the line.
Everton sat back more in the second half and were undone when City struck twice late on with Kevin De Bruyne involved in both goals. Everton lacked that little bit of quality when needed.
The result leaves Everton with a battle for a European place. The Toffee’s are five points of fourth-place Chelsea and have a game in hand.
1. Manchester United
Manchester United’s hunt for a trophy under Ole Gunnar Solsjaer took a dent at the hands of Leicester City.
United made several changes from Thursday night’s victory in the Europa League but they failed to deal with Leicester’s pressure and fell behind mid-way through the first half.
Mason Greenwood levelled 14 minutes later against the run of player after some good play down the left.
United failed to take a hold of the game and were punished for a second time when Yuri Tielemans slotted home.
Defeat at the King Power was the first domestic away game United have lost this season. Solsjaer will now turn his attention to cementing second spot in the league and reaching the Semi-final of the Europa League.
