FA Cup: United knock out Chelsea
Manchester United’s Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba struck first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place in the quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge on Monday. It was a measure of revenge for United, resurgent under interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who lost to Chelsea in last May’s Wembley final under their former boss Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea’s fragile defence was split with crosses from either flank. Paul Pogba supplied the first in the 31st minute after a fast move down the left and Herrera ghosted into the box to nod the ball down past stranded goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Until that moment a lively game had been evenly poised, with a host of chances at either end. Chelsea’s hopes were crushed just before halftime, however, in a speedy United counter down the right, with Rashford crossing for Pogba to head powerfully home between defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger. The fifth round defeat piled more pressure on Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri, whose side were hammered 6-0 last week in the Premier League by United’s neighbours Manchester City. Chants of “sacked in the morning” broke out in the second half as the hosts failed to break United down. There were boos from some home supporters at the final whistle while Solskjaer celebrated with his players in front of the travelling fans.
UEFA OPPOSES FIFA’S NEW COMPETITION PLANS
BERN: European soccer clubs, leagues and governing body UEFA have reiterated their opposition to FIFA’s plans for two new competitions, labelling them “unacceptable” in their current form.
Following a meeting of UEFA’s Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC), they said they were “adamant” that new competitions must be discussed only as part of talks on the international match calendar from 2024 onwards. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed the creation of a new 24-team Club World Cup and a global version of UEFA’s Nations League.