Manchester United eliminated Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday. It was almost a miracle that the score remained 1-1 after 120 minutes of football, and the visitors ended up on the losing side after a penalty shootout. Kai Havertz played a negative role by missing two major chances and failing to convert his penalty in the shootout. Joshua Zirkzee scored the decisive penalty.
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After four consecutive defeats, Ruben Amorim and Manchester United found a much-needed morale boost in their hard-fought draw against Liverpool, the Premier League leaders.
This result offered a glimmer of hope and set the stage for their FA Cup clash against Arsenal. From the opening whistle at the Emirates, Manchester United displayed impressive defensive discipline, effectively neutralizing Arsenal's attacking threats throughout the first half. Jurriën Timber played a key role in organizing the backline, ensuring that Arsenal’s dangerous forwards were kept at bay. Despite Arsenal’s efforts to break through, they managed to create only one clear moment of danger, showcasing the effectiveness of United’s game plan.
The most controversial moment of the first half came just after the half-hour mark when Gabriel Martinelli thought he had opened the scoring for Arsenal. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, sparking protests from the Arsenal players and fans. They argued that the ball had deflected off Harry Maguire’s foot before reaching Martinelli, which should have nullified the offside call. However, referee Andy Madley ruled that Maguire’s touch was unintentional, thereby upholding the offside decision.
The second half brought a renewed sense of urgency from both sides, and it was Manchester United who struck first. A defensive lapse from Gabriel, who headed the ball into an opponent and then slipped, allowed Alejandro Garnacho to seize the opportunity. The young forward maintained his composure, picking out Bruno Fernandes, who curled a beautiful shot past the Arsenal goalkeeper to give United the lead. Arsenal responded with increased intensity, but their attempts to equalize were denied by Matthijs de Ligt, who delivered a stellar defensive performance. His highlight moment came when he made a crucial block to prevent Kai Havertz from scoring.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 75th minute when Diogo Dalot was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, leaving United to play with ten men. Arsenal wasted no time exploiting their numerical advantage, and just over a minute later, Gabriel redeemed himself for his earlier mistake by scoring a stunning volley to level the match. As Arsenal pressed for a winner, they were awarded a controversial penalty when Havertz went down under minimal contact from Harry Maguire. The absence of VAR in this round of the FA Cup meant the penalty decision stood despite United’s protests. Maguire’s frustration boiled over, resulting in a heated confrontation between players. Once order was restored, Martin Ødegaard stepped up to take the penalty, but Altay Bayindir made a brilliant save to keep United in the match.
With the score tied at 1-1, the game headed into extra time. Arsenal dominated possession and created multiple chances, but Bayindir was in exceptional form, producing a series of outstanding saves to deny the hosts. Meanwhile, Havertz’s struggles continued as he missed two golden opportunities to put Arsenal ahead. The Expected Goals (xG) statistics painted a clear picture of Arsenal’s dominance, with an xG of 3.22 compared to United’s 0.27. Despite this, United’s resilience forced the game into a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Havertz’s nightmare performance reached its peak as he missed his penalty, further disappointing Arsenal’s fans. Manchester United, in contrast, showed remarkable composure under pressure. Joshua Zirkzee stepped up to take the decisive penalty, calmly slotting it home to secure United’s victory. With this win, Manchester United eliminated Arsenal from the FA Cup and advanced to the next round, leaving the hosts to reflect on their missed opportunities.
Elsewhere in the FA Cup, Crystal Palace faced League One side Stockport County and made an immediate impact. Eberechi Eze showcased his class within the first five minutes, maneuvering past defenders in the penalty area before slotting a low shot into the far corner. Despite additional chances for Palace, Eze’s early goal proved to be the match-winner, securing a 1-0 victory.
Ipswich Town also delivered a commanding performance, brushing aside Bristol Rovers with ease. By halftime, Ipswich had already established a 3-0 lead. The scoring began with a thunderous long-range strike from Kalvin Phillips, a 31-cap England international. Jack Clarke then added a second goal from close range, and Jack Taylor capitalized on poor defending to score the third, finishing unmarked in the center of the pitch. Ipswich’s dominance was never in doubt, and the match ended 3-0.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United overcame an early scare to defeat Bromley, a League Two side. Cameron Congreve stunned the home crowd by giving Bromley the lead within ten minutes, firing a long-range shot past goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka. Newcastle quickly regrouped, with Lewis Miley equalizing through a powerful strike. After halftime, Anthony Gordon converted a penalty to put Newcastle ahead, and William Osula sealed the victory with a brilliant solo effort, marking his first goal for the club in a 3-1 win.
The day also featured an upset as League Two side Doncaster Rovers triumphed over Championship team Hull City. The match ended 1-1 after regulation, forcing extra time and, eventually, penalties. Doncaster held their nerve in the shootout, winning 5-4 and booking their place in the next round of the FA Cup, much to the delight of their traveling fans.
Updated: 06:21, 12 Jan 2025
