United dump champions Chelsea
LONDON: 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.
UNITED FACE WOLVES
Premier League champions Manchester City will travel to Championship (second-tier) side Swansea City in the FA Cup quarter-finals next month, while rivals Manchester United visit Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Crystal Palace were drawn away to Watford in another alltop-flight clash while second-tier Millwall host Brighton & Hove Albion in the other quarter-final.
SARRI UNDER PRESSURE
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke candidly after the game. Admitting that his players do not completely understand what he wants from them a full seven months into his reign hardly inspires confidence in his methods from the fans, the club’s hierarchy or those in the dressing room. “Not completely at the moment because, especially in a situation like the second half, we have to move the ball faster mentally and materially,” Sarri told reporters when asked whether his message was getting across.
After defeat at Arsenal last month, Sarri said his players were “difficult to motivate”. Earlier in the season, after a limp defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, he turned his ire on N’Golo Kante, suggesting the twice Premier League-winning midfielder lacked the technical attributes to play in his favoured central role.