MAN UNITED 2, TOTTENHAM 1
Manchester United’s record equalling 29th Emirates FA Cup semi-final ended in victory as Tottenham’s misery continued.
This was Spurs’ eight successive loss in the last four of the FA Cup as they failed again to negotiate the last hurdle before the final.
In a pulsating semi-final played at a ferocious pace – kick off was in 24 degrees heat – it was a game of numerous twists and turns.
Spurs began the sharper and it was no surprise when Dele Alli put them ahead early on.
United lived dangerously early on before Alexis Sanchez equalised mid-half and Ander Herrera came up with the matchwinner just after the hour.
But it one of those games that could hav gone either way as the margins were small and Spurs enjoyed almost two thirds of possession and had more goal attempts.
Indeed, United had only two on target goal attempts, but both nestled in the back of the net as United edged 6-5 ahead in FA Cup meetings between the two teams. The Reds have now won their last four cup clashes.
It was a satisfying result for Jose Mourinho’s inconsistent side that lost at home to bottom-club West Brom last Sunday.
He said: “Had we lost I would not have been as upset as I was against West Brom as our attitude was good, we were focused ready and confident to play. I was very happy and pleased.
“We deserved it. If we split the match into periods, we were the best team for many of these periods. Even when they had the ball when we were winning, we were totally in control.
“We lost control after going 1-0 down. At half-time we spoke – we came back late for the second half because we spoke a lot and organised ourselves.
“When we play away from home, the supporters are phenomenal. We should ask ourselves why there is too many critics on all of us? We can finish second with six more points. To do that with all the fantastic teams we play against will be an achievement for a club that couldn’t do it for a few years now.
“And it will be a fourth final in three years. So, maybe too much criticism.”
Spurs’ manager Mauricio Pochettino described the defeat as being hard to take, believing his side was the better side in the opening half and 1-1 was not a fair reflection off the game.
“To win a trophy when you face a side like Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City is not easy, but the most important thing is we are able to compete,” he said.
United made five changes to the side that won at Bournemouth in midweek as there were recalls for Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Nemanja Matic, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young.
Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata provided the firepower on the bench.
Spurs made six changes from the defeat against Manchester City at Wembley in their last fixture, the main surprise being Michel Vorm preferred in goal to Hugo Lloris.
And it was Spurs who were quickest out of the blocked as Harry Kane had a shot deflected over after only 20 seconds.
United’s best early chance came when Lukaku headed disappointingly over from Ander Herrera cross.
But it was Spurs who made the important breakthrough in the 11th minute when Alli was left unmarked at the far post to covert a low Christian Eriksen cross.
And lifted by the goal, Spurs scented a second as Kane, sliding in at the far post, just failed to get on the end of a Heung-Min Son cross.
Kane then set up Eriksen who fired narrowly wide as the Reds were rocking.
Then against the run of play, United equalised when Sanchez headed home Pogba’s centre back across the face of goal for only the third time since his January move from Arsenal.
After a lull in play, that had been end to end, United almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half time when Pogba’s drive from 25 yards was tipped round the post by Vorm.
Then deep into the two minutes of stoppage time, Spurs came within inches of regaining the lead when Eric Dier’s 25-yard drive struck the base of the upright.
Spurs had the first clear-cut chance of the second period when he fashioned an opening for himself, but his shot was deflected by Chris Smalling for a corner.
But it was United who went ahead in the 62nd minute through Herrera.
The livewire Sanchez fired in a low cross that Lukaku and Lingard left for Herrera to fire low past Vorm who appeared unsighted as the ball went through the legs of Ben Davies.
Spurs came close to making it 2-2 through a 30-yard drive from Eriksen that was on target until it bent away at the last minute.
United came close to establishing a two-goal advantage when Pogba’s drive forced a flying save from Vorm.
Spurs made two changes in quick succession as Mousa Dembele and Ben Davies were replaced by Victor Wanyama and Lucas Moura.
United’s first substitution was enforced after Valencia was injured and his place went to Matteo Darmian.
Marcus Rashford soon followed as he replaced Jesse Lingard as United also had fresh legs.
Rashford had a chance to seal victory in stoppage time when he burst through on goal but, after delaying, Dier got back to block.
Marouane Fellaini had the briefest of cameos after replacing Sanchez in the 96th minute – five additional minutes had been signalled.