Our FA Cup awards honour the best – and worst – of the quarter-final action from the weekend.
Moment of the Week
How to lose a cup tie in seconds.
Fulham held a deserved lead over Manchester United until a chaotic few seconds which saw the Cottagers implode at Old Trafford. Willian’s handball on the line resulted in a red card and penalty, before the game erupted as Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva also received their marching orders.
72' – ???? Willian
72' – ???? Mitrovic
72' – ???? Marco SilvaFULHAM GOT A TRIPLE RED IN 60 SECONDS ???? pic.twitter.com/gCITmlkl66
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2023
It was three red cards in just 40 seconds for the west Londoners, with Mitrovic dismissed for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh following his award of the spot-kick.
Silva was also sent off for throwing a water bottle as Kavanagh consulted VAR, with Fulham’s lead overturned inside just two minutes as their depleted nine-man side collapsed under the pressure.
265 – There were just 265 seconds between Willian's red card with the score 0-1 to Fulham, and Man Utd going 2-1 up with Fulham down to nine men. Calamitous. pic.twitter.com/6Lr121YP9G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2023
Bruno Fernandes converted the awarded penalty, before Marcel Sabizter turned home two minutes later. Fernandes’ second sealed the win late on for Manchester United, as Fulham’s spirited showing ended in self-destruction.
Player of the Week
Erling Haaland’s one-man crusade towards every goalscoring record in sight continued with another hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Burnley at the Etihad.
The Championship leaders – under the management of ex-City captain Vincent Kompany – had hoped to provide tricky opposition after a fine season in the second tier, but were dismantled 6-0 as City and Haaland ran riot for the second time in a week.
Out. Of. This. World.
Enjoy your Sunday @ErlingHaaland ???? pic.twitter.com/91Rnx5rCWp
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 19, 2023
Haaland burst through to prod a finish past Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the opener, before turning home Phil Foden’s cross to double the lead. He confirmed a second successive hat-trick after reacting first to a loose ball that came back off the post, a goal which made it NINE in three fixtures across the last week.
The Norwegian has now scored 42 goals in 37 appearances for Manchester City this season. A ridiculous record from a remarkable talent.
Goal of the Week
Sheffield United booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals after an entertaining win over Blackburn, as the Blades won the battle of the second tier sides to become the first Championship team to reach the last four in eight years.
Tommy Doyle was the hero after a stunning late winner from the on-loan midfielder, who powered home a thumping finish from the edge of the area to send Sheffield United to Wembley.
OH MY WORD ????@Tommy_Doyle8 with a last-minute stunner for @SheffieldUnited ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/lum5BWgdyJ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 19, 2023
Sadly for Doyle and teammate James McAtee, neither will be allowed to feature in the next round as Sheffield United face parent club Manchester City for a place in the final.
An honourable mention must go to Evan Ferguson, who enhanced his reputation with a wonderful two-goal performance in Brighton’s 5-0 win over Grimsby.
That is sublime.
Rising star, @Evan_Ferguson9, showcases his talent once again ⭐️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/VE7ajpvthA
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 19, 2023
Just look at that take. The boy’s a bit special.
Miss of the Week
Kaoru Mitoma hasn’t done much wrong lately, with the Japan international having emerged as one of the Premier League’s most exciting wide talents.
He won’t want to watch back this miss against Grimsby however, as the 25-year-old somehow managed to turn Pascal Gross’ cross over the bar from close range.
File this one under the ‘easier to score’ category…
A huge chance goes begging for @kaoru_mitoma and @OfficialBHAFC ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/atf4yGg89X
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 19, 2023
Stat of the Week
He’s just a joke, isn’t he?
Six hat-tricks for Erling Haaland in all competitions this season, more than every other Premier League player combined. He’s now scored more hat-tricks (6) at home than had games in which he’s failed to score (5).
6 – Erling Haaland has scored more hat-tricks in all competitions this season (6) than every other Premier League player combined (5).
6 – Erling Haaland
1 – Mohamed Salah
1 – Ivan Toney
1 – Son Heung-min
1 – Phil Foden
1 – Leandro TrossardGamebreaker. pic.twitter.com/zrgyztn42G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 18, 2023
Haaland is inevitable, incredible, and an unrelenting collector of records. Burnley were the latest side to fall victim to his predatory prowess. They will not be the last.
Quote of the Week
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany was left impressed as the latest Erling Haaland show undid his side at former club Manchester City.
“I played against the best of my era,” Kompany said when discussing Haaland post-match.
“But players like that, even the best [defenders} struggle because they find a way. Erling will always find a way and he continues to improve.
Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany reunited with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad for today's FA Cup clash ???? pic.twitter.com/hZBu8Nc7X0
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) March 18, 2023
“You only have to look at his goals record, but his game has already improved from six months ago. He’s going to be one of the greats, this is not something you experience very often.”
Donkey of the Week
From hero to zero in a matter of minutes.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goal at Manchester United had Fulham on course to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, before the fiery forward contributed to their chaotic collapse at Old Trafford.
Mitrovic’s mad minute saw the Serbian sent off for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh, an incident which has seen several names for the forward to face a lengthy ban. It was needless and mindless from Mitrovic, who effectively ended Fulham’s cup campaign after teammate Willian had been sent off just seconds earlier.
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian have combined for 7 straight Red Cards in their careers. 6 of those were shown to Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Hot head. ???? pic.twitter.com/1XAIN2ELNk
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 19, 2023
Down to nine men as Manchester United pushed forward amid the smell of blood, Fulham wilted almost instantly to crash out of the cup. Mitrovic now faces a nervous wait to discover the extent of his punishment, after a head-loss of epic proportion this weekend.
Read – FA Cup Team of the Week
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