January 28, 2023, 18:53 PM
January 28, 2023, 18:53 PM
Manchester United and Tottenham qualified for the round of 16 of the FA Cup by beating second division teams this Saturday, while another Premier League team, Fulham, will have to play the ‘replay’ against a second-class club.
With two ‘doublets’, Casemiro and Son Heung-min they were the heroes of the day for Manchester United and Tottenham, respectively.
In the case of United, the qualification came with a full Brazilian accent, since to the two goals from Casemiro (minutes 54 and 58) was added the target achieved by Fred in 66. Reading, who in 65 was left with ten for the second yellow to Andy Carroll, could only make up their defeat (3-1) at Old Trafford with Amadou Mbengue’s goal in minute 72.
Casemiro’s goals also had Brazilian authors in the assists, Antony in the first and Fred in the second.
“He’s a fantastic player,” said captain Harry Maguire about the midfielder from Real Madrid at the beginning of this season. “You don’t win everything he has won if you are not a top player. He has improved the team, morale and performance,” he added.
In the first half, a VAR review had canceled out a goal from Marcus Rashford.
Against a combative Preston North End, from the Championship (second category)the South Korean forward Son Heung-min sealed the tie with two goals in the second half (50 and 69), before Arnaut Danjuma closed the scoring with the final 3-0 for Spurs (87), in the first goal of the Dutch striker on loan from Villarreal to Tottenham this week.
“I needed these goals for my confidence,” Son told the BBC. “As a goalscorer and as an attacker, the most important thing you have is to score. It’s important to have helped the team advance to the next round. I’m very happy,” he added.
Earlier, seventh-placed Fulham in the Premier League failed to get past a 1-1 draw at home against Sunderland, a mid-table team in the English second division.
The rules of the competition determine that a new duel must be played between the two (‘replay’)that time at the home of Sunderland, who was a visitor this Saturday.
Fulham started losing the game, already in the 6th minute, and He could only tie around the hour of play, with a goal from Scotsman Tom Cairney. The Londoners tried hard for the second in front of their home crowd at Craven Cottage, but to no avail.
Other first division formations complied with inferior teams category in this round of the round of 16 and got their ticket to the round of 16.
Leicester won narrowly 1-0 at Walsall’s ground, fourth division, thanks to a solitary goal from Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho midway through the second half.
Also for the minimum was imposed Southampton at home to ‘second’ Blackpool, 2-1, with a brace from Frenchman Romain Perraud.
Wider was the triumph of Leeds United in the field of Accrington Stanley (3rd), 3-1, thanks to goals from Jack Harrison, the Dominican nationalized Spanish Junior Firpo and the Colombian Luis Sinisterra. The latter was reunited with the goal after having reappeared this month after an injury that kept him out for four months.
“I am very happy with the team, with the progress we are making. I think we are prepared to face big challenges now”, the Leeds coach, the American Jesse Marsch, was excited.
Three heats will be played on Sunday, among which stands out that of Liverpool against another first, Brighton.
The star clash of this round was already played on Friday, in which Manchester City eliminated Arsenal, leaders of the Premier League, by winning 1-0 with a goal from the Dutchman Nathan Aké at the Etihad Stadium.
