Man Utd squeeze past Coventry in shootout after blowing 3-0 lead

SECOND-TIER Coventry nearly pulled off one of the most unexpected comebacks in FA Cup history by rallying from three goals down against Manchester United in Sunday's semifinal only to endure another gutwrenching penalty shootout loss at Wembley.

Rasmus Hojlund scored the decisive penalty kick to save United from another embarrassing collapse after Callum O'hare and Ben Sheaf had missed their spot kicks for Coventry.

It was another heartbreaking ending at Wembley for Coventry, which also lost on penalties to Luton in last year’s Championship playoff final to miss out on promotion to the Premier League.

United's narrow escape sets up another Manchester derby in the final against Manchester City, which beat Chelsea on Saturday.

But it should never have been this close. Bruno Fernandes had put United 3-0 ahead in the 58th minute, but Coventry rallied in the last 20 minutes with goals from Ellis Simms and O’hare before Haji Wright equalized in injury time from the penalty spot.

Liverpool level on top of PL

Reuters adds: Liverpool climbed level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, thanks to goals from Trent Alexander-arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota.

Liverpool trail Arsenal on goal difference with both on 74 points with five games remaining, however holders Manchester City, who are third on 73 points, have a game in hand. Alexander-arnold, in his first league start since Feb. 10, curled a stunning free kick into the top corner in the 32nd minute that keeper Bernd Leno had little chance of stopping. Timothy Castagne fired home for Fulham just before the break with a sidefooted shot past keeper Alisson. Yet Gravenberch put the Reds back on top in the 53rd minute when he curled a shot inside the far post for his first league goal, and Jota sealed the win in the 72nd minute.