FA Cup

WILL KEANE wants to get one over former Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford today.Forward Keane, 32, scored in Preston’s 3-0 win over Burnley that brought the Championship side a first appearance in the FA Cup quarter-finals since 1965-66.Former Man Utd star Will Keane is set to face off against Aston Villa in the FA CupCredit: GettyThe 32-year-old now plays for Preston North EndCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford broke into the first team at United after Keane got injuredCredit: AP:Associated PressMeanwhile, a rejuvenated Rashford has worked his way back into the England team thanks to four assists since joining Villa on loan from United in January.Ironically, an injury to former academy graduate Keane partly contributed to Rashford making his senior United debut as an 18-year-old in February 2016.Keane, who left Old Trafford during the summer of that year, said: “It was probably unfortunate timing for myself.”Football is all about timing and making the most of those moments.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”The way it fell into place for Marcus at that time, he took his opportunity when it came.”I’m sure it was only a matter of time when that was going to come for him, maybe it came a bit sooner than he expected – but he definitely made the most of it when he burst on to the scene.”When I got back fit, I knew it was probably time to move on.”When you come through the academy as a United fan, you always want to keep hold of that dream of making it there, which I think before a couple of long-term injuries definitely I could see the potential.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”It didn’t quite pan out but I’ve still had a lot of good clubs and a long career after that.”I’ve not seen Marcus for a couple of years. I think, especially the last couple of months, seeing him back with a smile upon his face has been great.Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnel”It looks like he’s enjoying football.”Hopefully he can have an off day for this one if he’s playing — but it will be great to see him.”Keane rates North End’s Cup run as one of the highlights of his career.He said: “It’s up there. “The manager Paul Heckingbottom made it clear when he came in that a good cup run can bring everyone together and help drive the season. It’s definitely done that.”It’s helped get a bit of momentum going – especially with every tie being at home, it’s been good to go through that journey with the fans. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Hopefully we can go one step further. It’s definitely a great challenge for all of us. “We’re the only Championship team left in the competition, and that’s something we all aspire to be, Premier League players.” More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST found themselves playing with a man down during their FA Cup clash with Brighton after a highly unusual error.Forest punched their ticket to Wembley after making it to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years by beating the Seagulls 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw.Nottingham Forest found themselves down to 10 men after an unusual situationForest’s substitution was momentarily blocked as Morato still had jewellery around his neckForest captain Morgan Gibbs-White got so frustrated after coming off that he was bookedHowever, Nottingham Forest found themselves in a strange situation during the second half of extra-time, just two minutes before the two teams went to a penalty shootout at the Amex Stadium.The visitors’ manager Nuno Espirito Santo decided to introduce Morato into the fold.The centre-back was set to replace Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White.However, referee Peter Bankes stopped Morato entering the field despite Gibbs-White leaving the pitch.Read More on FootballPlay then resumed with Forest temporarily down to 10-men.That left many confused with even the BBC commentary team left wondering what was going on, with the commentator saying: “There’s something very strange going on here”.Gibbs-White was fuming at the referee’s decision to block Morato – so much so he was booked as he made his point from the sidelines. It turns out Morato wasn’t allowed to enter the pitch because he still had jewellery around his neck when he was meant to come on.Most read in FA CupJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThankfully for Forest, Morato managed to undo his necklace and the Brazilian was allowed to come on once play stopped again.And ultimately it didn’t harm Nottingham’s chances as Ryan Yates sealed their place at Wembley with the final penalty of the shootout.Wayne Rooney bizarrely reveals he’s scared of fish live on BBC during Brighton vs Nottingham Forest coverage But Nuno’s men have a lot to thank goalkeeper Matz Sels for as he proved to be the hero once more as his two saves helped his team win their third FA Cup shootout of the season. More

GEORGINIO RUTTER was rushed to hospital following Brighton’s FA Cup heartbreak against Nottingham Forest.The 22-year-old appeared to be in tears as he was forced out of the 0-0 draw at the Amex Stadium in the 75th minute.Georginio Rutter left the pitch in tears during Brighton’s loss to Nottingham ForestCredit: AlamyThe 22-year-old went down off the ball during the FA Cup quarter finalCredit: AlamySunSport’s exclusive picture shows the forward heading into an ambulance after the gameCredit: Dan KingRutter went down off the ball and appeared to roll his ankle in the Amex turf. He was able to limp from the field under his own steam after being worked on by medical staff.But following the match, SunSport’s exclusive picture shows Rutter being led into an ambulance outside the stadium.He was also seen wearing a large boot over his right leg. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBrighton boss Fabian Hurzeler earlier told reporters: “He might have to go for a scan.”I cannot say anything now.”Brighton and Forest couldn’t be separated after 120 tense minutes in their FA Cup quarter-final.Rutter was replaced by Brajan Gruda, with the Seagulls having the best chances to win it in extra time. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut it was Nuno Santo’s side who held their nerve from the spot, booking a place at Wembley after a 4-3 victory on penalties.It is the first time in 34 years Forest have reached the last four of the FA Cup. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sends fans bold Champions League predictionRutter is Brighton’s record signing and arrived last summer in a £40million deal. The German has made the No10 role his own in Hurzeler’s exciting young team. He has netted six times in his last 12 games, with eight in total this season across 32 games. Following shootout heartbreak, Hurzeler refused to put any blame on his players. Forest keeper Matz Sels saved from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez, while Joao Pedro, Gruda and Lewis Dunk all netted their spot-kicks.Hurzeler said: “In the end, I decided and I made the decisions with the penalties and the players should just focus on their job, focus on which corner they shoot and that’s why I say that’s my responsibility.”I think in the end they didn’t shoot that bad, also the penalties we missed.READ MORE SUN STORIES”They had an idea and that was the thing I said to them.”In the end they had a great goalkeeper and therefore we weren’t able to win this game.” More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST captain Ryan Yates and goalkeeper Matz Sels were the heroes as Brighton suffered more FA Cup penalty agony.Sels made two saves in a shootout and Yates scored the winning spot-kick to put his team in the semi-finals for the first time in 34 years.Nottingham Forest made it to the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Brighton on penaltiesCredit: ReutersRyan Yates scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup quarter-finalCredit: ReutersForest and Brighton faced off in an intense FA Cup quarter-finalCredit: RexForest had a penalty scrapped by VAR after Kaoru Mitoma clashed with Elliot AndersonCredit: ReutersThe Seagulls lost the battle of nerve, just as they had done in their last-four clash with Manchester United two years ago.But Forest will feel justice was done because they might have been ahead from the spot long before the denouement.Just after the hour referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot following Kaoru Mitoma’s challenge on Elliot Anderson.But VAR told him to think again and a disappointing game went the distance.Read More on FootballSels saved from Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez, either side of Neco Williams blazing over the bar.So it was left to Yates to send Forest to Wembley and keep them on track for a truly memorable season.For all the late drama, the match did not live up to its billing as a potential classic.In the 2-2 draw at the Amex in September, the red mist had descended, with Morgan Gibbs-White sent off and both managers also dismissed in the aftermath.Most read in FA CupAt the City Ground in February, it had been a red rampage with Forest battering the Seagulls 7-0.But Fabian Hurzeler’s team had gone unbeaten since to put them right in the mix for a Champions League place, as well as one step away from Wembley.Wayne Rooney bizarrely reveals he’s scared of fish live on BBC during Brighton vs Nottingham Forest coverage It was a bit of a harum-scarum start.On the plus side, the intensity suggested neither side was keen on extra-time.But the lack of accuracy in the passing and of quality in the final third were conspiring against anyone having a proper chance, let alone scoring.An opportunity did arise when the ball broke into the path of Forest centre-forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who was in for the injured Chris Wood. But Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saved with a leg.The visitors were in the ascendancy, without creating any other opportunities of note.It took the hosts nearly half an hour to pose even a vague threat to Sels’ goal, when Yasin Ayari had a shot from distance deflected wide.Goalless clashWhen left-back Pervis Estupinan had a go from more than 30 yards, Sels made a meal of it but no one in blue and white was close enough to gobble up the rebound from his parry.Although Forest were superior, Nuno’s displays of frustration were becoming more animated.After Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba flashed a shot just wide, Nuno told Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi to warm up.But they didn’t come on at the break and it was Brighton who started the second half with more purpose.Georginio Rutter, part of a home front four that had been missing in action until then, span and flashed a shot across and over Sels’ goal.Almost immediately at the other end, Gibbs-White hit a dipping shot which Verbruggen helped over the bar acrobatically.Penalty deniedThe game was now more entertaining for the neutral. Hinshelwood should have done better with a free header from close range after an Estupinan corner.Nuno had seen enough by the hour and sent on Elanga and Hudson-Odoi.Forest thought the breakthrough had arrived soon afterwards when a sliding Mitoma inadvertently took down Anderson with his trailing elbow and Bankes pointed to the spot.But VAR Paul Tierney asked Bankes to look again and he changed his mind.The Forest bench signalled that they had been denied two spot-kicks, in reference to Adam Webster’s challenge on Yates earlier in the passage of play.Hurzeler made a double change of his own in an attempt to wrest back the initiative.Forest coming closeBut it was Forest who almost scored, Verbruggen again saving with a leg, this time from Elanga after he was played in by Gibbs-White..From another trademark break, Elanga failed to direct his cross to Gibbs-White, who collided instead with the post.After that, neither side did much to prevent another half an hour of play, despite what became 11 minutes allowed for stoppages.The first opening of extra time appeared for Brighton substitute Gomez but closed again when he cut back inside instead of shooting.The Paraguayan also had an effort well blocked by Nikola Milenkovic.At the start of the second period, Gomez forced Sels into his first decent save of the evening, with a goalbound header that the Belgian fingertipped over the bar.Penalty shootoutSels then beat away an effort by Simon Adingra before Jan Paul van Hecke blocked a Jota Silva shot.Home sub Joao Pedro had the ball in the net but Estupinan had been offside before heading the ball into his path.So the first time anyone scored would be from the spot.Brighton won both tosses, so went first in front of their fans.Pedro, Anderson, Brajan Gruda and Hudson-Odoi all scored. Sels saved Hinshelwood’s kick, Brighton’s third, but then Williams skied his.The Seagulls’ celebrations were short-lived as Gomez fired straight at Sels.READ MORE SUN STORIESMilenkovic converted, so Lewis Dunk had to do the same, and did.But up stepped Yates and he did a captain’s duty to send Forest to Wembley.Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels saved two penalties against BrightonCredit: Reuters More