Manchester United have booked their place in the FA Cup penultimate round after coming from behind at Old Trafford to beat nine-man Fulham 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
It was a chaotic game in the North West on Sunday, with Fulham suffering a 40-second capitulation in the second half, as referee Chris Kavanagh sent off two Fulham players and manager Marco Silva after Willian conceded a penalty.
The opening 45 minutes was a relatively tame affair, with both clubs struggling to unlock consistent doors and bring the game to life. However, the second 45 minutes provided enough drama to last for several matches, with the half bringing four goals, three dismissals, VAR tension and a penalty to boot.
◉ 50' – Man Utd 0-1 Fulham
◎ 73' – Marco Silva sent off
◎ 73' – Willian sent off
◎ 73' – Mitrović sent off
◉ 75' – Man Utd 1-1 FulhamThe away side have self-destructed. ?#FACup
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Fulham broke the deadlock in the 50th minute after Aleksandar Mitrovic tapped home from an Andreas Pereira corner, sending the travelling Cottager contingent into raptures and setting the tone for a potential upset at Old Trafford.
Silva’s men looked good value for their lead and were holding firm at the back as the clock ticked on, with Erik ten Hag rolling the dice by introducing Antony on the hour mark as he desperately searched for a bit of final-third inspiration.
That would eventually come from the Brazilian 15 minutes from time, with the wily winger racing through on the Fulham goal before slotting in Jadon Sancho, who proceeded to shimmy past Bernd Leno and then attempt to strike into an empty net, but for Willian’s block.
Initially given as a corner, referee Kavanagh was instructed to check the VAR monitor for a possible handball, and that’s where Fulham lost their rag. While inspecting the incident on the touchline, Kavanagh produced a red card to Fulham boss Silva for haranguing him, and a further two dismissals would follow shortly after.
First, Kavanagh pointed to the spot to overturn his decision, and whilst attempting to flash crimson in Willian’s direction for handling the ball off the line, Mitrovic charged the official and inexplicably shoved him, prompting the referee to send the Fulham goalscorer off as well.
265 – There were just 265 seconds between Willian's red card with the score 0-1 to Fulham, and Man Utd going 2-1 up with Fulham down to nine men. Calamitous. pic.twitter.com/6Lr121YP9G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2023
It was an utterly ridiculously 40 seconds from Fulham in which they went from 13 minutes from Wembley, to three men down, a penalty down and on the brink of elimination. Bruno Fernandes netted the resultant penalty, and from there, Man Utd stormed to victory.
Marcel Sabitzer got United 2-1 in front, before Fernandes completed his brace late on to secure the club passage to Wembley, and send Fulham home bruised, dejected and now missing two key players for upcoming Premier League games.
They will suffer the lingering consequences.