Manchester United progressed to the final of the FA Cup after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 7-6 on penalties on Sunday.
The Red Devils were second best for long spells of the game, although the match finished scoreless after 120 minutes. It was Victor Lindelof who scored the winning penalty to make it at a soaking Wembley, meaning United will face Manchester City in the June final.
Brighton started the game on top and David de Gea was forced into a smart save after seven minutes as he palmed away Alexis MacAllister’s curling free-kick, while Julio Enciso fired a shot wide soon after.
United did have two decent chances via Bruno Fernandes - one of which sailed wide and the other was blocked by Lewis Dunk - but Brighton continued to dominate possession. Enciso dragged another shot wide on 32 minutes, although United’s threat on the break was still causing Brighton issues.
Fernandes shot wide in the 44th minute and Martial tried to chip Robert Sanchez from distance, before Christian Eriksen produced the final chance of the half when his left-footed strike was stopped by the feet of Sanchez.
Like the first half, the Seagulls started the second in the ascendancy, and Casemiro headed Dunk’s header off the line in the 55th minute, before De Gea made a great save to push over Enciso’s powerful follow-up. Danny Welbeck should have scored from the resulting corner, but from six yards out he failed to hit the target with his header.
Solly March then saw a shot saved, while at the other end Antony twice forced Sanchez into saves after he cut inside and fired at goal. Fernandes also smashed an effort over the bar.
In the latter stages of the opening 90 minutes, March tested De Gea with a left-foot shot and a back-post header from a corner, while Jadon Sancho nearly grabbed the winner within minutes of coming off the bench, but his strike curled over.
As the game moved into extra-time, MacAllister and Moises Caicedo both shot over from distance, while United went close with a Marcel Sabitzer header that flashed wide, before Sanchez’s acrobatic stop prevented Rashford from netting with a side-footed attempt.
In the second half, March’s shot was held by De Gea, who also denied Kaoru Mitoma from getting the winner when he came out to claim the ball as the winger slid in. Rashford could have grabbed the decisive goal but failed to hit the target after cutting inside, with Casemiro also going close from distance.
With 120 minutes played and no goals scored, penalties were required. All 10 regular spot-kicks were scored, with the contest going to sudden death. After March skied the decisive penalty for Brighton, Lindelof stood up an converted to send ensure United will return to Wembley in six weeks’ time.
1. David de Gea- 6
Made good saves to keep out MacAllister, Enciso and March, but his kicking was poor once again.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 7 (off 101)
Did well against Kaoru Mitoma and took the ball off him on a few occasions.
3. Victor Lindelof- 7
Made some good interceptions and challenges. The defender was solid, gave very little away and scored the decisive penalty.
4. Luke Shaw- 6
Had a quiet afternoon despite Brighton seeing so much of the ball.