Image Credit [Reuters]
Only Premier League teams remain in the FA Cup before the semi-finals at Wembley.
Manchester City’s stunning second half performance saw them come from 2-0 down to beat Swansea 3-2 in the FA Cup quarter final on Sunday. It was Sergio Aguero who proved to be the difference maker; scoring the winner to keep the Blue’s quadruple dreams alive, after being brought on in the 69th minute.
The controversy surrounded by the off-side winner was a harsh defeat for the hosts, who led by 2-0 after 30 minutes, with a penalty from Matt Grimes and Bersant Celina’s astonishing finish for the second. Swansea manager, Graham Potter, told BBC Sport that he has “nothing but pride and admiration for my players… VAR is not here and that’s life and I wouldn’t like that to take away from the quality of our performance and from Manchester City.”
City have now scored more goals than any other side in the FA Cup this season.
Brighton will now go on to play favourites Manchester City at Wembley in the first semi final on the 6th April after a phenomenal comeback at The New Den – coming back from 2 goals down with just 2 minutes to go.
Millwall’s chances of booking a place in the other semi final ended with the dreaded penalty shootout when Jake Cooper crumbled during sudden death, firing his penalty over the bar.
Brighton will now advance to the next round of the cup for the first time since 1983.
Watford faced Crystal Palace away from home in their fight for a trip to Wembley, and although Crystal Palace may have beat the hosts on the road to the 2016 final, Saturday’s game proved too much of a battle for The Eagles to advance.
Etienne Capoue saw The Hornets go into the second half 1-0 up before Michy Batshuayi levelled. Batshuyai will be disappointed that he did not grab a second after his hard work throughout the game.
However, it was second-half substitute Andre Grey that grabbed the headlines, scoring past Vincente Guaita just two minutes after stepping foot on the pitch at Vicarage Road, sending Watford into the FA Cup semi -final.
Watford boss, Javi Garcias’ preparation for the quarter final proved effective, after choosing to rest seven of his players against Manchester City in their league game last weekend.
Watford will now play four-time winners Wolves at Wembley on the 7th April after their historic 2-1 win against Manchester United at Molineux.
For Wolverhampton Wanderers, this will be their first FA Cup semi final for two decades and the support behind Nuno and his team in the city has continued to remain strong following last season’s promotion and strong performances in the Premier League.
The hosts were dominant over The Red Devils under floodlights and were seen to outclass them during the second half. Sergio Romero, who was in for David Gea, had been the difference in keeping United level; pulling off crucial saves against the likes of Raul Jimenez and Diego Jota.
On the night, Wolves proved to be unstoppable, and their hard work was finally rewarded with 20 minutes remaining, when the Mexican Jimenez fired one home. It then came with no surprise that their lead was doubled just 6 minutes later after a run from the halfway line saw Jota run on to slot the second past Romero.
Wolves are playing with a real level of quality in their side and will now deservingly be heading to Wembley. Their pace and drive is enough to challenge any team left in the FA Cup and they remain the ones to watch.