Erik ten Hag hopes Manchester United’s nail-biting last-eight win over arch-rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup can prove the turning point in a challenging season.
The Dutchman was delighted after United snatched a 4-3 victory in time added on in extra time courtesy of Amad Diallo’s breakaway goal – having also seen closest rivals Tottenham and Aston Villa drop points in recent days in the race for the Premier League’s top four.
Speculation about Ten Hag’s long-term position has increased since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 27.7 per cent share of the club but the manager believed the victory over Liverpool to earn a place in the FA Cup semi-finals could be pivotal.
“Every team needs a moment into a season and we have never had this moment,” he said.
“This could be the moment where the team can have the belief and energy that they can do amazing things.
“When you can beat Liverpool in the way we did you can beat any opponent – it is up to us to prove that point. Today we did.”
Ten Hag was asked whether the nature of this victory, achieved after they came from 2-1 and 3-2 down, was more significant than their Carabao Cup win last year.
“It was a good win but I’ve had some more good wins, I can tell you,” he said.
“Winning a trophy is more. Maybe it can be very important towards winning another trophy.
Antony celebrates with teammate Amad Diallo. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“I am pleased with the performance of my team, the first 35 minutes we showed again that the future of this team is very bright.
“There is huge potential and we have to get it out.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he could not find fault with his side but admitted it was the first time he had seen them struggle physically as their gruelling quest for an unprecedented quadruple finally caught up with them.
“The day was on and above the edge, it was really tough for us with all the 130-whatever minutes,” he said.
“The second half was absolutely exceptional but we didn’t finish the game off and when you leave the door open at Old Trafford it is clear they will get chances and they could score the equaliser.
“Marcus (Rashford) had a big chance at the end of normal time.
“They could win it there and then it got really hard for us, that was the first time I really saw my team really struggling.
“The way we conceded the last two goals you could see were not on top of our game anymore – we gave two balls away but absolutely no criticism of the boys.
“They gave absolutely everything, today it was not enough and that is what we have to accept.”
Earlier, two goals in second-half stoppage time saw Chelsea book their place at Wembley by avenging their defeat to Leicester in the 2021 final.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s team were given a scare by the Championship side at Stamford Bridge.
Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer had put Chelsea 2-0 up in the first half, with Raheem Sterling also having a penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk.
But Leicester fought back after the break through a spectacular own-goal by Axel Disasi and an equaliser from Stephy Mavididi.
With the game looking set to go to extra time, Chelsea then struck twice through two substitutes.
Carney Chukwuemeka restored the Premier League team’s advantage after an assist from Palmer in the second minute of time added on.
Noni Madueke then scored a brilliant solo effort six minutes later to ensure the win and a semi-final spot.
Leicester beat Chelsea 1-0 in the final three years ago to win the trophy for the first time.
Aston Villa have gone three points clear of Tottenham in the battle to earn a top-four place in the Premier League following a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
In the only EPL match of the day, Nicolo Zaniolo struck an equaliser in the second half on Sunday to secure what could be an important point in Villa’s bid for Champions League qualification.
West Ham, who’d gone ahead through a Michail Antonio header, thought they’d snatched a late winner when Tomas Soucek struck in the sixth minute of time added on.
Yet the goal was disallowed by VAR for handball – much to the frustration of West Ham boss David Moyes.
Australian referee Jarred Gillett and VAR Tony Harrington spent more than five minutes determining whether the goal should stand before it was ruled to have hit Soucek’s arm.
Antonio also had a goal disallowed for handball earlier in the half.
“It’s what VAR do, it’s their decision not ours, we can’t do anything about it. It’s there to do the job,” Moyes shrugged.
“In the second half, Villa stepped it up, they were the better team for periods. I was really pleased with how we performed overall.”
Antonio had headed West Ham in front in the 29th minute at their home London Stadium.
Villa lost 4-0 against Spurs last week and were in danger of suffering back-to-back defeats in the league, but Nicolo Zaniolo levelled in the 79th.
The draw means fourth-placed Villa extend their lead over fifth-placed Tottenham to three points, having played a game more. Tottenham’s hopes took a blow when they lost 3-0 at Fulham on Saturday.
© AAP
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