UNITED REACH FA CUP FINAL THANKS TO HERRERA’S STRIKE
Mourinho’s men recover from conceding early goal to defeat Tottenham 2-1 at Wembley
Ander Herrrera’s second-half strike clinched a place for Manchester United in the FA Cup final as they came from behind to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley Stadium last night.
Dele Alli’s 11th-minute goal put Tottenham ahead, but Alexis Sanchez headed home an equaliser midway through the first half.
Jose Mourinho’s side then secured victory, and a place at Wembley on May 19 for the final, when Herrera fired home a shot that went underneath the outstretched hand of Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm in the 62nd minute.
“I’m really happy of course. We are in another final and we’re getting used to being in finals,” match-winner Herrera told the BBC. “This club is all about titles and finals.”
Tottenham, bidding to win a first trophy since 2008 and the FA Cup for the first time since 1991, got off to a dream start when Alli got on the end of a Christian Eriksen centre to fire home from close range.
The London side were in the ascendancy in the early stages, but United weathered the storm and got a foothold in proceedings.
Sanchez netted arguably his most important goal since his transfer from Arsenal in January, as he guided a header from Paul Pogba’s cross past Vorm to level.
Eric Dier hit the post before half time for Tottenham, but it was United who began the second half stronger and they were rewarded with Herrara’s fine finish, which came after good work from Sanchez and Jesse Lingard.
Tottenham pushed hard for an equaliser but found United’s defence resolute, with the closest they came to a leveller when Victor Wanyama was unable to keep his header from substitute Erike Lamela’s free-kick down. The result gives United a 20th appearance in a FA Cup final, equalling the record held by Arsenal, and they will go up against either Chelsea or relegation-threatened Southampton, who meet in the second semi-final today.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has urged his players to give everything in their pursuit of a positive end to a disappointing season.
The London side are unlikely to finish in the Uefa Champions League positions as they trail fourth-placed Tottenham by five points, but they can still end the season with silverware in the form of the FA Cup.
Southampton are all that blocks their path to securing a place in the final for a second successive year and fifth time in 11 years. Conte is determined to overcome the Premier League strugglers and make amends for last year’s final loss to Arsenal.
“We must have great motivation to finish the season as strongly as possible, in every case,” Conte said. “Now we have the opportunity to play at Wembley for the second year in a row and we have the possibility to beat Southampton and get to an important final. We have to try and finish in the best possible way.”
Defender Emerson Palmieri made his first Premier League start in Thursday’s 2-1 victory at Burnley and the January signing from Roma could deputise for the suspended Marcos Alonso once more.
“Emerson played a really good game defensively and offensively. He is a young player who is a very good prospect for Chelsea,” Conte said.
“I have time to make the best decision on my players for Sunday’s game, so we will see who recovers well but for sure, Emerson is in contention for Sunday.” Southampton manager Mark Hughes challenged his side to forget about their fears of relegation for one day to shock their opponents, who are fifth in the Premier League table.
“It’s a game for us where it’s a one-off game and we need a huge effort to try and overcome a good Chelsea team,” he said.