FA Cup Review as Chelsea and Man City go through, United crash out

 

With the international break upon us, there won't be any club football for the next 14 days. However there are some serious action to look forward in April as offcourse the Champions League returns, whereas Cup Action continues. And yeah don't forget the title races in league.

This weekend was of the Classic FA Cup. World's most prestigious cup competition saw in form Chelsea and Manchester City go through to the semis, whereas Manchester United crashed out.

On Saturday, struggling Southampton took on Championship side Bournemouth. The Saints have had a major dip in the form and after that 9-0 hammering by Manchester United had started to worry them about a possible relegation, so a cup game was a perfect chance to ease their nerves.

A commanding performance saw them win 3-0 at Bournemouth with Nathan Redmond scoring a brace. With star striker Danny Ings set to miss out till April, this was a welcome performance by Ralph Hasenhüttl.

In the late fixture, Manchester City took on Everton. A month ago City ran out 3-1 winners at the Goodison Park with second half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Bernando Silva handed them all three points after Richarlison had cancelled out Foden's opener.

They had to work hard in this match to get the breakthrough and call on some big guns. City's top goal scorer this season Ilkay Gundogan added another one to his tally after he followed up a header to poke it home from close range after the effort of Aymeric Laporte hitted the crossbar in the 84th minute. A late goal in the 90th minute from Kevin De Bruyne ensured safe progression to the next round.

On Sunday, Chelsea took on Sheffield United who were langering at the bottom of the league team. The Blues had not lost a game since Thomas Tuchel took charge and were in confident mood to make it through the semis for the fourth time in five years.

After a first half own goal from Oliver Norwood had given Chelsea the lead, Sheffield United gave everything they could in the next half with David McGoldrick going close on two separate occasions.

Perhaps their best chance to level it up came in the first minute of injury time when Substitute Rhian Brewster came close to snatching a equalizer,only for him to steer it just wide of the near post. Following the corner, Chelsea earned a throw in and broke away quickly as Hakim Ziyech slammed home the Blues second in the second minute of injury time to win the game 2-0.

In the last game, Leicester City took on Manchester United as the third and second position teams in the league collided at the King Power Stadium. United made few changes and left out several big players as to give them a rest after a win in Milan in midweek. A decision which later haunted them.

Leicester City would go on win the game 3-1 as former Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho struck twice to knock out Manchester United. A mistake at the back from United Midfielder Fred led to the opening goal after he tried to play it out to his keeper Henderson, only for Iheanacho to intercept it and cut past the keeper and tap it home in the 24th minute.

United were brought back on terms in the 38th minute when youngster Mason Greenwood slammed in a cut back to level it up. In the second half, Leicester restored their lead in the 52nd minute when Youri Tielemans was afforded to much space to have a go. He drilled the ball into the bottom left hand corner, leaving the United players shake their heads.

After that United call on their main players, as Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw all came in. They were however unable to turn the tide around as Iheanacho grabbed his second after he poked home a header at the far post in the 78th minute to kill the game off.

The Semi Finals will be played on 17th April with Chelsea facing Manchester City and Leicester City going up against Southampton.

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