Philippa Kaur

MANCHESTER UNITED’S disastrous season plumbed new depths as they lost their grip on the FA Cup with a penalty shoot-out defeat by Fulham. Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had spot-kicks saved by Bernd Leno in front of the Stretford End as Marco Silva’s men booked a place in the quarter-finals after a scrappy and chaotic tie.  Joshua Zirkzee missed the crucial spot kickCredit: AFPFulham celebrate their penalty shoot-out victoryCredit: RexZirkzee was in tears after missing the kick which clinched Fulham’s win as the visitors scored all four of their penalties.As they languish in the bottom half of the Premier League table, with a raft of redundancies to backroom staff and a squad ravaged by injuries, the world’s oldest knock-out competition offered plenty of fortune for United – until this. After Harry Maguire’s offside injury-time winner against Leicester in the last round, the toenail offside decision that robbed Coventry of an extraordinary comeback in last season’s semi-final and the Amad Diallo winner an epic 4-3 quarter-final victory over Liverpool, there always seems to be late drama involving United in this competition. But this time it went against United, who have now lost seven home matches under Ruben Amorim – and must now reply on the Europa League as their only route back into European competition next season.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited were the better of two poor teams as Bruno Fernandes struck to cancel out Calvin Bassey’s first-half header.But neither side could find a winner in a wild and wide-open spell of extra-time. And Marco Silva’s side, who had lost a marathon shoot-out to Preston in the Carabao Cup this season were spared a similar fate again here, as they seek a first Cup Final appearance in 50 years. Despite United’s traumas in the Premier League, they had done the double over Fulham and lost just once to the Craven Cottage club in 21 previous meetings.Most read in FA CupJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSCalvin Bassey heads Fulham into the leadCredit: GettyBassey celebrates putting Fulham in frontCredit: ReutersSilva’s side, nine points clear of United in the league table, have been routinely beating teams in the top half of the table but coming unstuck against struggling sides. Two years ago, Fulham led 1-0 here in a quarter-final, until a major meltdown earned them three cards – including one for Aleksandar Mitrovic pushing the referee – and ending up losing 3-1.Wayne Rooney puffs out cheeks after ‘easy’ question live on BBC ahead of Man Utd’s FA Cup clash vs FulhamAlejandro Garnacho was benched after his midweek strop in the win against Ipswich and Amorim named just five outfield players on the bench – Fulham’s substitutes looking a far stronger group.Still, Amorim’s men started with fire in their bellies, winning plenty in midfield and going close three times in the opening 20 minutes.First, Manuel Ugarte outmuscled Fulham skipper Antonee Robinson and teed up Bruno Fernandes for a shot pushed wide by Bernd Leno.Then Christian Eriksen centred low to the near post where Rasmus Hojlund fired wide. Man Utd ratings vs FulhamMANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?Here, SunSport’s Ken Lawrence reveals his player ratings.And next Eriksen’s curling shot was pushed away by Leno.Fulham were error-strewn, conceding possession far too easily.Bruno Fernandes sweeps Man Utd levelCredit: GettyFernandes wheels away in celebrationCredit: GettyOn 20 minutes, Old Trafford was united in protest against 20 years of the Glazer family’s ownership – as well as a dig at Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ticket pricing policy. Ugarte was booked for tripping former United man Andreas Pereira on the edge of the box but Sasa Lukic wasted the free-kick.Both sides were sinking in an ocean of mediocrity, the quality of their panic-stations passing desperately low.When Fulham did finally carve out a chance, Alex Iwobi’s cross picking out Lukic’s darting run, the Serb headed high and wide with the goal at his mercy.Joshua Zirkzee nodded wide from a Fernandes cross and United were the better of two poor teams – only to fall to a sucker punch in first-half injury time. It was a well-worked routine from the visitors, Pereira’s dead-ball kick finding Rodrigo Muniz who steered a downward header towards the back post for Bassey to nut it past Andre Onana. It was only Bassey’s third goal for Fulham – and his second at Old Trafford.Straight after the break, Adama Traore was forced to limp off, replaced by Emile Smith Rowe – and Amorim sent Garnacho off the naughty step in place of Ugarte, with Viktor Lindelof on for Leny Yoro. And Smith Rowe was soon forcing a decent save from Onana after a swift exchange of passes from Silva’s side. Chido Obi was heavily involved after coming onCredit: ReutersAs things started to look desperate, Amorim sent on teenage striker Chido Obi in place of Hojlund and Casemiro replaced Eriksen.There had been little sign of a United equaliser before it arrived on 71 minutes – a clever cut-back from Diogo Dalot finding Fernandes who drilled low, first time, into the bottom corner.   It was the captain’s eighth goal of Amorim’s reign – who knows where United would be without him? Momentarily, Old Trafford was transformed from library into bearpit.Still, Fulham were creating the chances – Iwobi picked out Muniz with a searching pass but the Brazilian’s effort was deflected wide in a tangle of feet, then Pereira fired one wide. Garnacho was beginning to get his dancing feet going down the left but the place was a hive of anxiety – on the pitch and off.Silva sent on his veterans, Raul Jimenez and Willian and, In injury-time, Smith Rowe forced an excellent save from Onana.And Obi almost snatched glory when he tangled with Bassey and shot wide – when the kid might have earned a spot-kick had he gone to ground. Garnacho was then thwarted by a sprawling save from Leno before we went into extra-time. READ MORE SUN STORIESObi went close again at the end of the first period, an angled chip turned around the post expertly by Leno. In a chaotic, wide-open period of extra-time, Onana was busy once more when he got down to the foot of his post to keep out sub Ryan Sessegnon.  More

MAN UTD fans were left fuming with their side for conceding the EXACT same goal against Fulham as last time the teams met in the FA Cup.The Red Devils were in action against the Cottagers at Old Trafford on Sunday, which was a repeat of a tie from 2023.Calvin Bassey puts Fulham ahead at Old TraffordBassey’s goal was similar to Aleksandar Mitrovic’s strike from a 2023 cup tieAnd it was the visitors who took the lead in the first half, when Calvin Bassey headed home at the back post from an Andreas Pereira corner.The goal sent the away fans into a rapture of excitement, but for United fans it was a case of seeing double.Eerily, the goal was similar to one they conceded against the Cottagers in that previous cup tie scored by Aleksandar Mitrovic.Just like Bassey’s goal, the ball was swung in by Pereira, it eluded a sea of red defenders in the box, before Mitrovic arrived at the back post to score, albeit with a half volley instead of a header.Read more Man Utd newsStill, Man Utd fans were furious that history repeated itself and they took to X to vent their anger.One, sharing a video of Mitrovic’s goal, wrote: “No, this is not the goal United just conceded to Fulham. This is Mitrovic TWO YEARS AGO.”A second posted: “Funniest team ever man.”While a third added: “Tears they scored the EXACT SAME goal vs us 2 years ago.”Most read in FootballBassey’s goal was cancelled out by Bruno Fernandes’ strike in the 71st minute.Alejandro Garnacho’s punishment for Man Utd tunnel strop revealed as Ruben Amorim sheds light on controversyThe Portuguese midfielder’s left-footed low strike beat Bernd Leno.It meant the game went into extra-time, with the scores level are 90 minutes.Man Utd then suffered penalty heartbreak as Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee fluffed their lines.Man Utd ratings vs FulhamMANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?Here, SunSport’s Ken Lawrence reveals his player ratings. More

DANNY WELBECK fired Brighton into the FA Cup quarters as Newcastle were hit by a huge double whammy.The Magpies are set to be without Anthony Gordon for the Carabao Cup final after he was sent-off for violent conduct for lashing out at Jan Paul van Hecke.Danny Welbeck dinks home Brighton’s dramatic winnerCredit: PAWelbeck, 34, celebrates his crucial late goalCredit: PAAnd Welbeck, who scored the winner here in October’s Premier League match, ensured the Toon winger won’t have a second crack at Wembley in the FA Cup.The veteran striker came off the bench to secure a 2-1 victory deep into extra-time as his dream of adding to the two winners’ medals he picked up with Arsenal goes on.It all started great for Newcastle when Alexander Isak gave them the lead, but Yankuba Minteh returned to haunt his old club with the equaliser before Welbeck’s late sucker punch.Isak missed the defeat at Liverpool in midweek but got the nod to start here and it did not take him long to get involved.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThough he was kicking himself after blowing the first big chance of the game after just two minutes.Harvey Barnes produced some great work down the left and delivered an inch perfect cross for the forward at the back post.But the usually deadly Isak, whose initial effort was blocked, had his head in his hands after lashing over from close-range.Keen to make amends, he had another bite of the cherry following a counter, but Bart Verbruggen was able to save the tame long-ranger easily.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAlexander Isak converts his first half spot kickCredit: GettyThe Swede celebrates his opening goalCredit: GettyIt was third time a charm, however, and this time he made no mistake after a helping hand from former Toon team-mate Minteh.The Gambian winger, sold reluctantly by Newcastle to Brighton last summer to meet PSR requirements, produced a late challenge that sent Tino Livramento tumbling in the area.Newcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires Isak left the Panenka alone this week, but instead fired straight into the corner to break the deadlock.Moments later he had the home crowd on their feet again as his rocket left Verburuggen rooted to the spot – but an offside flag stopped the celebrations.Adam Webster earned a booking for scything down Isak while his Brighton team-mates struggled to mount a spell of possession to get back into it.Then, out of nowhere, bang. The Seagulls got themselves level right in the dying seconds of the opening half and it was Minteh who made amends for his error.A superb pass from Joao Pedro sent the star, who ran off Gordon, clear into the right of the area.And he kept his cool to slot, with the help of a deflection from Kieran Trippier, home past Martin Dubravka.That was Minteh’s first goal on his first appearance at St James’ after he missed the 1-0 Premier League win for the Seagulls here back in October.The tie was finely poised, Isak looking dangerous every time he got the ball, but with Brighton growing in confidence.Yankuba Minteh scores against his former clubCredit: GettyMinteh did not want to celebrate his equaliserCredit: GettyAnd it took a fine flying save from Dubravka to deny them taking the lead just before the hour.Some hesitant defending from Dan Burn allowed Pedro in, and he made room for himself and pulled the trigger with a low strike.Concerned Howe had seen enough and made a triple sub, with Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes replacing Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Barnes. And it should have been Willock celebrating within minutes of his introduction only instead he was left completely red-faced.Livramento crossed perfectly for the midfielder to nod in but he completely misjudged the flight of the ball and the visitors survived.Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood bravely blocked a thunderous Isak shot while Brajan Gruda curled over for the away team as the contest started to descend into a basketball game.But things quickly turned sour for Gordon, still frustrated over not getting a penalty seconds earlier after a challenge by Gruda, snapped.An offside flag was already up for Isak as Gordon tussled with Jan Paul Van Hecke for the loose ball only for the winger to then push the Dutchman in the head with two hands.An instant red card was shown and he will now serve a three-game ban – ruling him out of the upcoming showpiece in two weeks’ time in a huge blow for Howe.Anthony Gordon struck out at Jan Paul van HeckeCredit: ReutersGordon was shown a red card and will miss the Carabao Cup finalCredit: ReutersDespite that, Toon thought they had won it after Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey got his marching orders for a second yellow following a foul on Murphy.Fabian Schar volleyed Guimaraes’ cross from the free-kick in, but a VAR check spotted he had strayed offside.That meant an extra half hour with Dubravka first called into action with a fantastic stop to deny Diego Gomez and then Verbruggen pushed away a Willock strike at the near post. But Newcastle came undone by the key moment in the 114th-minute as Solly March slipped in Welbeck.And the 34-year-old coolly finished past the onrushing Dubravka from a tight angle to continue his quest to lift the FA Cup for a third time on May 17.But for Howe, he will now be facing up to the fact that star winger Gordon will miss the showdown with hometown club Liverpool as he prepares to serve a three-match ban.After the game, former Sunderland loanee Welbeck goaded Newcastle fans while speaking to Brighton’s club media.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe forward spent the 2010-11 season on loan at the Stadium of Light.Walking down the tunnel, Welbeck smirked as he said: “Someone gave me stick there… doesn’t know I’m a Mackem at heart.”Tariq Lamptey earned a second yellow card for this challengeCredit: Getty More