Ander Herrera has Manchester United dreaming of FA Cup glory after Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham once again suffered semi-final sorrow.
This was a mouth-watering, season-defining clash for both clubs as a manager driven by silverware faced one driven by progress at Spurs’ temporary home.
And it was relentless winner Jose Mourinho who emerged victorious at Wembley, with Alexis Sanchez cancelling out Dele Alli’s opener before Herrera secured a 2-1 triumph as Tottenham failed to progress from a record eighth FA Cup semi-final in a row.
Tweet of the Match
Man of the Match – Alexis Sanchez
The biggest names thrive on the biggest stages and Sanchez was superb here. The Chile international equalised with a brilliant header, his eighth Wembley goal, and ran like his life depended on it for the remainder of the game. His industry led to Herrera’s winning effort.
Moment of the Match
Herrera’s cool finish proved to be the difference between the two sides as the Spain international scored just his second goal of the season to send United into the FA Cup final. The measured strike was close to Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm but had enough force to beat the Dutch stopper and seal United’s place in May’s showpiece event.
Data Point
Alli’s opener meant Tottenham led in an FA Cup semi-final for the first time since Gary Doherty scored to put them 1-0 up against Arsenal in 2001.
Ratings
Manchester United: David De Gea 6 (out of 10), Antonio Valencia 6, Chris Smalling 7, Phil Jones 8, Ashley Young 6, Nemanja Matic 7, Ander Herrera 7, Paul Pogba 8, Jesse Lingard 6, Alexis Sanchez 8, Romelu Lukaku 7. Subs: Matteo Darmian (for Valencia, 78) 6, Marcus Rashford (for Lingard, 81) 6, Marouane Fellaini (for Sanchez, 90) n/a
Tottenham: Michel Vorm 5, Kieran Trippier 6, Davinson Sanchez 6, Jan Vertonghen 7, Ben Davies 5, Eric Dier 7, Mousa Dembele 5, Son Heung-min 6, Christian Eriksen 7, Dele Alli 6, Harry Kane 5. Subs: Lucas Moura (for Davies, 67) 6, Victor Wanyama (for Dembele, 78) 5, Erik Lamela (for Son, 85) n/a
Who’s up next?
Manchester United v Arsenal (Premier League, April 29)
Tottenham v Watford (Premier League, April 30)
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