Everton vs. Manchester United: Score, Reaction from 2016 FA Cup Semi-Final
Manchester United beat Everton 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to become the first team to qualify for this year's FA Cup final.
Marouane Fellaini opened the score against his former club in the first half, and the Red Devils could have led by more than a single goal at half-time. Everton improved after the break, however, and Romelu Lukaku missed a chance to tie things up from the penalty spot, as David De Gea again saved the day.
The Toffees tied things up thanks to Chris Smalling's own goal, but Anthony Martial sent his team through to the final with a late winner.
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As shared by United's official Twitter account, both Marcus Rashford and Martial started for the Red Devils:
Marcos Rojo also made his 50th appearance for the team:
The match started at an incredibly high pace, with both teams pressing for a goal early. John Stones had to make a key block to deny Martial, and Wayne Rooney saved a ball off the line after Lukaku rounded De Gea.
Commentator Ian Abrahams was impressed by the forward's effort:
United looked the better team early, and Martial thought he was clear on goal after nine minutes, only to be flagged down for offside. On the other side of the pitch, Lukaku got in behind the Red Devils defence, but a poor first touch forced him to take a difficult angle on goal, and De Gea comfortably saved his effort.
Jesse Lingard sent a delightful pass into the path of Martial, but the Frenchman couldn't keep his composure and sent his shot flying over the crossbar. Fellaini played a headed pass for Rashford shortly after, but the youngster sent his volley right into the arms of Joel Robles.
United's pressure decreased for a brief spell, allowing Everton to keep hold of the ball and have a few looks on goal, but before long, the Red Devils moved forward again, and this time, it yielded results.
Joel managed to keep United out with a nice stop on Rooney, but minutes later, Fellaini took a good pass from Martial, found some space with a turn and finished past the Everton goalkeeper.
Ladbrokes couldn't help itself:
The former Toffees star didn't hold back with his celebration, to the delight of Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:
He also thought Fellaini showed he can be effective when used in the right formation:
After the goal, United slowed the pace of the contest and patiently played out the first half.
Everton started the second in better form, enjoying more of the ball, but chances remained few. Instead, it was United who threatened through Lingard, who sent a shot wide of the mark after a quick counter.
The Toffees were awarded a controversial penalty when Timothy Fosu-Mensah clashed with Ross Barkley, as the youngster seemed to play the ball, but the official still pointed to the spot. Lukaku stepped up, but De Gea guessed correctly and made an incredible save to keep his team in the lead.
Bleacher Report UK was in awe:
The miss did little to halt Everton's momentum, however. Tom Cleverley found himself wide open at the back post and should have done better with his volley, and Lukaku also went close, firing a header over De Gea's goal.
On the other side of the pitch, Phil Jagielka made a diving clearance to deny Fellaini, but replays showed the ball struck him in the arm, and Everton were lucky not to be penalised.
Gerard Deulofeu made his way onto the pitch as Everton continued their search for an equaliser, and the Spaniard made an immediate impact, firing a cross into the box that ended up in the back of the net. It was Smalling who slid it into his own goal, tying things up with 14 minutes left to play.
Lukaku came within inches of handing his team the lead minutes later, as he fell just short of tapping home a rebound after Deulofeu tested De Gea.
John Cross of the Daily Mirror started getting excited:
Everton were in control, and Lukaku nearly broke the deadlock with a header, sending it just wide. Fellaini kept his team in the match with a fantastic tackle to deny his compatriot, and Martial nearly found Lingard on the other side of the pitch.
The Toffees ended up paying dearly for their wastefulness, as Martial scored a late winner deep in injury time to send his team through. They'll meet the winner of Sunday's clash between Watford and Crystal Palace.
Post-Match Reaction
Per the FA Cup's official Twitter account, United manager Louis van Gaal shared this story about De Gea:
The Spaniard has come up big all season long, and while Martial will receive plenty of praise for his late winner, the Red Devils wouldn't have been in the same position without their goalkeeper.
Thanks to his heroics, United will be the favourites to win the cup.
