FA: Manchester United survive Coventry scare to win on penalties

• Manchester United defeated Coventry City on penalties, securing their place in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Manchester United defeated Coventry City on penalties, securing their place in the FA Cup final against Manchester City following an incredible semi-final on Sunday afternoon at Wembley.

Just before the hour mark, Erik ten Hag’s team took a 3-0 lead in the last four match with to goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes. Coventry didn’t seem to have an answer for that.

But the Championship team responded with goals from Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare in the 71st and 79th minutes, respectively, setting up a thrilling conclusion at Wembley. Man United was reeling, and Haji Wright astonishingly converted a penalty in the 95th minute to send the match into extra time in the nation’s capital.

Coventry City celebrating the equalizer. Photo/ Sky Sports

In the dying moments of extra time, Victor Torp believed he had won it for Coventry, but his shot was ruled offside in the build-up, necessitating penalties to conclude the thrilling match.

Following a miss from Casemiro, goals from Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Fernandes, and Rasmus Hojlund helped Man United win 4-2 in the shootout and move on to the final game.

How the game unfolded

In the sixth minute, Fernandes nodded across towards Alejandro Garnacho in the Coventry box, giving the Red Devils a chance, but the Argentine was unable to make touch.

In the twelfth minute, Wright’s quickness nearly allowed Coventry to pass him by, as the attacker darted by Casemiro. However, Dalot was fortunately covering for Manchester United.

Then, in the eighteenth minute, Marcus Rashford had a wonderful opportunity after a great pass from Casemiro, but he could only turn the ball wide of the post.

But in the twenty-third minute, Man United did take the lead when McTominay scored from close range after Dalot’s low cross had set off loud celebrations in the stadium’s red section.

Following the first goal, Man United dominated possession and Coventry’s speed posed a threat on the counterattack. This was the pattern of play for the whole game.

Ben Sheaf’s dangerous cross towards Simms gave the Championship team a great opportunity to tie the score in the 39th minute, but Dalot’s superb defending nearly prevented the striker from getting to the ball.

With a powerful drive in the 43rd minute, Rashford nearly doubled Man United’s lead, but Brad Collins, the Coventry goalkeeper, made a fantastic save.

But after Fernandes’ corner, Maguire headed into the goal to give the Red Devils a 2-0 lead. Coventry now had a mountain to climb before the second half began.

Early in the second half, Fernandes had a shot that went just wide of the far post. Coventry then had a great run, but Man United’s defense held firm, with Casemiro standing out in the heart of the defense.

In the 58th minute, the Red Devils took a 3-0 lead thanks to a brilliant footwork move by Fernandes inside the penalty area, which he followed up with a goal into the net after the Championship team’s poor defense.

In the sixty-third minute, Coventry had a rare opportunity to record in the English capital as Maguire drove narrowly over the crossbar before O’Hare headed over down the other end.

The 71st minute saw the Championship team take the lead thanks to a masterful move by Sims, who netted his 19th goal of the season and sixth in the FA Cup, from inside the box on a low cross from Fabio Tavares.

Then, in the 79th minute, O’Hare’s shot somehow deflected into the net after striking Wan-Bissaka and falling into the corner.

Coventry coach with captain Ben Sheaf. Photo/ Sky Sports

After an incredible turn of events, Onana produced a brilliant save to deny Torp a thunderous volley in the 84th minute. Coventry was then awarded a penalties in stoppage time for a handball by Wan-Bissaka, and Wright converted to tie the score at 3-3 and force extra time at Wembley Stadium.

The finest opportunity of the first half of extra time went to Fernandes, who slammed one against the bar. Omari Forson, for Manchester United, also had a low effort turned wide by the Coventry goalie.

Early in the second half of extra time, Wright missed the target down the other end following a swift counterattack; Simms then hammered one against the underside of the crossbar, and Coventry went within a whisker of scoring a fourth goal in the English capital. Maguire had an effort pushed wide early in the half.

Coventry believed they had won it via Torp in the closing seconds, but it was disallowed when Wright’s offside in the build-up was flagged by VAR.

In the end, Man United won 4-2 in the shootout; Hojlund gave the Red Devils the victory after O’Hare and Sheaf failed to score for the Championship team.