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Manchester clubs get home ties in the FA Cup

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Both Manchester clubs were handed home ties against Championship strugglers in the FA Cup after the draw was made at Stamford Bridge tonight.

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Manchester United will host Paul Clement’s Reading at Old Trafford while Manchester City will welcome Paul Warne’s Rotherham United to the Etihad Stadium.

It’s almost certain that one or both ties against will be split for a television audience for policing reasons.

The glamour ties of the round could see non-league Solihull Moors earn a home tie against Arsenal if they can get past Blackpool in a replay of their second round tie.

Southport could welcome Tottenham if they beat League Two Tranmere Rovers in their replay. 

Woking will welcome Premier League Watford while Holders Chelsea host Nottingham Forest and Liverpool will go to Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

FA Cup 2018/2019 Third Round Draw in Full

Bolton Wanderers vs Walsall or Sunderland 

Millwall vs Hull City

Gillingham vs Cardiff City

Brentford vs Oxford United

Sheffield Wednesday vs Luton Town

Manchester United vs Reading

Everton vs Lincoln City

Tranmere Rovers or Southport vs Tottenham

Preston North End vs Doncaster Rovers

Newcastle United vs Blackburn Rovers

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Crystal Palace vs Grimsby Town

Derby County vs Southampton

Accrington Stanley vs Ipswich Town

Bristol City vs Huddersfield Town

Wrexham or Newport County vs Leicester City

Fulham vs Oldham Athletic

Shrewsbury Town vs Stoke City

Solihull Moors or Blackpool vs Arsenal

Manchester City vs Rotherham United

AFC Bournemouth vs Brighton and Hove Albion

West Ham United vs Birmingham City

Woking vs Watford

Burnley vs Barnsley

Queens Park Rangers vs Leeds United

Sheffield United vs Barnet

Norwich City vs Portsmouth

Guiseley or Fleetwood vs AFC Wimbledon

West Bromwich Albion vs Wigan Athletic

Middlesbrough vs Peterborough or Bradford City

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool

Aston Villa vs Swansea City

Ties will be played during the first weekend in January (4th to 7th).

Oldham Athletic have eyes on big boys after Emirates FA Cup win at non-league Maidstone United

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MAIDSTONE UNITED 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2

Oldham Athletic safely negotiated a second non-league hurdle following their Emirates FA Cup victory at non-league Maidstone United.

Goals from captain Peter Clarke and Chris O’Grady booked their passage to the third round for the first time since 2013/14 season and hopefully a lucrative tie.

Winning in Kent was not without its rewards, though, as Latics earned a prize cheque for £54,000 and also extended their unbeaten run to six league and cup games.

And in was far less stressful than in the first-round at Hampton and Richmond where two late goals prevented Latics from becoming victims of a giantkilling act after they had trailed for most of the match.

Latics were forced to make changes from the home draw against Lincoln City with Dan Gardner injured and Ishmael Miller suspended while left-back Andy Taylor refused to play on the 4G pitch for fear of injury.

Manager Frankie Bunn recalled Cameron Dummigan at right-back and switched Rob Hunt to left back to cover for Taylor while Mohamed Maouche replaced Gardner in the middle.

Callum Lang switched from striker wide left to replace Johan Branger-Engone while O’Grady came in for Miller up top.

Indeed, Latics were so short of players they had three trainees and a total of five teenagers on the bench with Giles Coke and Branger-Engone the only two seniors.

After an uninspiring start, Latics went ahead in the 17th minute through the first chance of the game.

Gevaro Nepomuceno fired a free kick into the box and George Edmundson turned the ball into the path of fellow central defender Clarke to stab home.

Surridge was then denied from a brilliant save from Grant Smith who tipped his effort onto the bar.

It was a wet and windy afternoon in Kent as referee Tom Young handed out five yellow cards in the first half.

Maidstone, currently in the National League relegation places, created their first chance on the stroke of half time as former Latics’ striker Jake Cassidy got the better of Edmundson to find Elliot Romain, but his effort was fired straight at Daniel Iversen.

Latics started the second half positively as Maouche curled an effort into Smith’s hands before Surridge hit the post from a corner.

Romain then forced a great save from Iversen, as the Maidstone man found space in the box before the Danish U21 goalkeeper produced a smart stop with his feet.

O’Grady sealed Latics’ victory six minutes from the end as he sold Will De Havilland with a fantastic turn before cutting in from the left and scoring from a tight angle to make it 2-0.

Maidstone hit the bar at the end through Ollie Muldoon, but it was one of the rare moments when they were troubled with Bunn dreaming of a tie at Manchester City where he was once on the coaching staff.

Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Dummigan, Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Lang, Maouche, Missilou, Nepomuceno; O’Grady, Surridge. Subs (not used): Coke, Graham, Branger-Engone, Hamer, McFarlane, Norman, Williams.

Attendance 3,516 (426 visitors).

 

Oldham Athletic late, late show in FA Cup win at Hampton & Richmond

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HAMPTON & RICHMOND 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2

It was a case of the late, late show for Oldham Athletic who came within minutes of becoming victims of an embarrassing Emirates FA Cup giantkilling act at non-league Hampton & Richmond.

Latics were behind for almost 75 minutes to an early penalty from Chris  Dickson for the National League South side that is known as the Beavers.

But with time running out and Latics set to create unwanted headlines, Rob Hunt delivered an 88th minute equaliser.

Latics were resigned to a replay when Callum Lang conjured a 94th minute winner.

It would have been tough on Latics to have lost as it was a game they dominated, but without lady luck shining on them for most of the match.

They enjoyed 63-per-cent possession, had 24 goal attempts to 11 from the hosts with nine on target. And the corner count was also 14-1 in their favour.

Manager Frank Bunn made two changes from the goalless draw at Notts County as Cameron Dummigan and Jose Baxter won starts in place of Gevaro Nepomuceno and Jonathan Benteke.

Latics started the game on top as Ishmael Miller was set-up by Baxter, but couldn’t direct his shot on target.

Baxter then played Dummigan into the box and he forced a fine save from goalkeeper Tom Lovelock.

A controversial moment came after 15 minutes as Tyrell Miller-Rodney burst into penalty area and went down following a challenge and referee Tom Nield pointed to the spot.

Dickson stepped up and slotted it past Daniel Iversen, much to the annoyance of the Latics’ players and staff who felt it wasn’t a penalty.

Latics felt they should have had a penalty of their own five minutes later as Andy Taylor’s corner found Baxter in the box who seemed to be tripped.

Miller then forced Lovelock into another save, before the home side cleared an effort off the line and then had the post to thank which denied Callum Lang’s follow up.

Baxter was then booked for diving as he ran through one on one with Lovelock, but the player felt he was tripped as he rounded the home goalkeeper.

The hosts almost capitalised on their luck as Zak Joseph crossed to Casey Maclaren who headed wide at the back post.

Baxter then forced Lovelock into a save from a free kick before Iversen was on hand to deny Joseph’s effort at the other end.

Hampton defender Yado Mambo then had a huge slice of luck as he somehow headed over a Hunt cross into the ground and over his own crossbar.

From the resulting corner captain Peter Clarke headed a great chance wide and had another effort cleared off the line moments later.

There was a lengthy delay at the start of the second half as Baxter went down following an innocuous challenge and he was taken off on stretcher.

That delay seemed to affect Latics’ rhythm as they didn’t create a chance until midway through the chance when Dummigan saw his effort deflect wide.

From the resulting corner Lang nodded back across goal, but Yado Mambo was there to clear on his own goalline.

Latics finally equalised as Dan Gardner broke down the left before pulling it back to Hunt who slotted it past Lovelock.

Then deep into stoppage time Hunt hit a long ball up to substitute Chris O’Grady who flicked it onto Lang, before the Wigan loanee turned his man brilliantly before finishing.

Another substitute Mohamed Maouche then forced Lovelock into another smart save as Bunn’s side set up a second-round tie at Maidstone United, another non-league team.

Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor; Dummigan, Gardner, Lyden (Maouche 80), Lang; Baxter (Branger-Engone 52′), Miller (O’Grady 74). Subs (not used): Coke, Missilou, Hamer, McFarlane).

Attendance 2,720 (274 visitors).

 

Manchester United finish season without silverware after loss to Chelsea in FA Cup final

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CHELSEA 1, MAN UNITED 0

Manchester United’s dream of a record equalling 13th Emirates FA Cup win were dashed by Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

The Belgian’s first half penalty was all that separated the teams as Jose Mourinho’s former employers dashed his last chance of silverware.

And if it is to be Antonio Conte’s last match as Chelsea manager, as widely predicted, he went out of a triumphant note.

In a disappointing final, Chelsea took the lead and then shut up shop, a tactic so often successfully employed by Mourinho.

And though United, playing a record equalling 20th final, enjoyed more than two thirds possession, they created precious little in this game of few clear-cut chances.

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Mourinho, in congratulating Chelsea, did not think United deserved to lose, explaining the absences of Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini were crucial factors.

He said: “I am Manchester United manager and have to be respectful, not just because they are my previous club, but because they are the opponents, but I think we deserved to win.

“I am quite curious to know what you say or what people write because if my team played like Chelsea did, I can imagine what people would say. I am quite curious.

“It was a bit hard for us to play without Lukaku against a team that defends with nine players. You need that presence.

“Every defeat hurts, but I go home with the feeling we gave everything. No regrets.

“Chelsea are not stupid. They know our team without Lukaku or Fellaini does not have a presence, so by putting eight or nine players in front of the box, they knew they would be dominant in that direct football.

“We tried everything by other ways, but they had a huge block of compacted players.”

Conte was satisfied to win his second trophy in two seasons at Stamford Bridge, though he admitted failing to qualify for the Champions League was “not good”.

He again spoke of the “difficulties” he has had this season, adding he was committed to Chelsea and serving the last year of his contract.

United’s manager confirmed Lukaku had told him he was not ready to start so it was a question of how many minutes he could play, adding it would have been “nonsense” to try and convince him to start.

Lukaku was only fit to be on the bench for United who had Marcus Rashford leading their attacking line alongside Alexis Sanchez in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation.

The absence of the £75million Lukaku was a blow for the Reds given he has scored 27 goals for the Reds.

Anthony Martial and Juan Mata provided attacking options on the bench.

Chelsea preferred Olivier Giroud to Alvara Morato up front while flair pair Pedro and Willian had to be content with substitute spots.

A poor pass by Phil Jones was intercepted to set up the first chance of the game in the ninth minute as Hazard went clear on the left only for his well-struck angled shot to be well kept out by the legs of David De Gea.

After a largely uneventful opening the breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Chelsea won a penalty when Hazard, who burst through on goal, was brought down by Phil Jones.

Chelsea were furious referee Michael Oliver only brandished a yellow card when Hazard was through on goal, though replays suggested the defender may have got a touch on the ball.

Hazard scored from the spot with the coolest of finishes as he sent De Gea the wrong way for his 17th goal of the season.

United’s first goal attempt after half an hour saw a drive from Paul Pogba flash just wide.

And just before half time, Jones headed wide at the far post from three yards following a cross from Ashley Young.

United were enjoying almost two thirds of possession, but doing precious little with it.

The only moment of danger came when Chelsea failed to clear danger and Rashford’s fierce low shot was beaten out by keeper Thibaut Courtois.

United thought they had equalised in the 63rd minute when Sanchez found the net after Jesse Lingard’s header struck the upright, but he had strayed offside, a decision given by Oliver and upheld by the video assistant referee.

Chelsea claimed a second penalty and replays showed Ashley Young handled a ball from Victor Moses, but Oliver did not spot the offence in a move that led to Marcos Alonso forcing a decent save from Courtois.

Rashford then had a chance, but Courtois spread himself well to smother his shot as the game began to open up.

United made a double change after 73 minutes when Rashford and Lingard made way for Lukaku and Martial.

Nemanja Matic had a fierce drive punched to safety by Courtois as United searched for an equaliser.

The closest they came to finding the net came with eight minutes later when Pogba’s header flashed just wide after a corner from Martial.

Mourinho’s last throw of the dice with little over three minutes later saw defender Jones replaced by midfielder Mata.

Chelsea’s first change in the last minute saw Morata replace Giroud in a like-for-like swop and in the first of five added minutes Hazard made way for Willian.

Matic headed over deep into stoppage time, United’s last change of a disappointing day for the Reds.

Manchester United battle from behind as Tottenham’s FA Cup semi-final hoodoo strikes again

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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.

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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.