Manchester United came from behind to defeat Fulham 3-1 in this volcanic FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford, with a glut of three red cards for the visitors inside just 90 seconds aiding Erik ten Hag’s men’s passage to the semi-final – a first for the club in three years.
Far from that jolting United into action, the Red Devils’ sluggish ways continued throughout the first period, allowing Fulham to put 15 crosses into their penalty box, though the Londoners couldn’t make them count
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With the Cottagers last victorious at Old Trafford back in October 2003 – in a match that featured the soon to be put-upon Fulham assistant manager Luís Boa Morte playing his part – this momentum couldn’t persist.
However, the tie was turned on its head with 20 minutes remaining as a counter attack from United saw Antony play Sancho through on goal, and after taking on Bernd Leno, the winger showed great composure before his goal bound effort was blocked on the line by Willian with his hand.
Firstly, Chris Kavanagh showed the Brazilian a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but Mitrović was then also sent off for pushing the referee, before Marco Silva was also given his marching orders, leaving Luís Boa Morte to take charge of a thankless situation.
Nine-man Fulham understandably failed to regain their composure, and after Fernandes netted a third in the dying seconds with a clinical finish beyond Leno, United will meet Brighton & Hove Albion as a potential route to a possible all-Manchester FA Cup final.
