Harry Maguire’s last-gasp winner deep into extra-time knocked Norwich City out of the FA Cup on Saturday, with Manchester United advancing to the semi-finals.
Odion Ighalo gave United the lead early in the second half as he volleyed in a Luke Shaw cross. City equalised through Todd Cantwell, who made advantage of the space provided by United as he unleashed his shot past Sergio Romeo and into the net.
Maguire inflicted heartbreak on the Canaries late on however, as his shot on the turn ensured United progressed to the last four of the competition.
City boss Daniel Farke recalled creative trio Teemu Pukki, Emi Buendia and Cantwell to his line-up - with Lukas Rupp retaining his place within the Canaries starting XI. Onel Hernandez dropped to the bench despite a lively first-half performance in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Everton.
Josip Drmic did make the bench despite concerns over a potential ankle injury, with third round hat-trick hero Adam Idah also amongst the substitutes.
United made eight changes to the side who beat high-flying Sheffield United 3-0 in midweek, with Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial all starting on the bench. Former Watford striker Ighalo led the line with January addition Bruno Fernandes deployed as an attacking midfielder.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers and Derby County to set up Carrow Road’s first FA Cup quarter-final in 28 years. The Canaries overcame Preston North End, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur to progress to the last eight of the competition.
City allowed United to dominate possession in the opening exchanges as they looked to maintain their defensive structure whilst the visitors probed with their passing. When the Canaries did snatch the ball, they looked to counter with intent, only for their offensive phases to breakdown in the final third.
The Canaries could have had a sight of goal when Rupp found Cantwell on the left. The England Under-21 international had seemingly played Pukki through on goal, but the Finn’s first touch took him wide and allowed Shaw to recover – United eventually cleared.
Prior to half-time, City had the best opportunity of the half when Cantwell danced past Diogo Dalot before cutting it back to Rupp. The German took a touch and then pulled the trigger, only to see his effort blocked by Maguire.
The first chance of the second half also fell to City, as Cantwell exchanged passes with McLean to advance into the area. Once again, his driven pass across the box was blocked by Maguire.
Despite City’s positive play, it was United who took the lead – with City again conceding within 10 minutes of the restart. Shaw received the ball on the left and surged past Buendia before delivering a cross. Ighalo was unmarked and volleyed the ball in from close range to put the visitors ahead.
City looked effective on the counter – but they were beginning to find themselves in possession of the ball on more occasions. A neat exchange between Buendia and Lewis saw the latter fouled on the left-hand side. Buendia swung his free-kick towards the back post. Tettey flicked it on, only for the ball to hit Ben Godfrey, who couldn’t turn it into the net.
In the 75th minute, the Canaries got a deserved equaliser courtesy of Cantwell. Onel Hernandez showed great determination as he rode two United challenges before off-loading it to Buendia. The Argentine shifted the ball onto Cantwell, who was gifted too much space by United and his shot flew past Sergio Romeo and into the net.
Paul Pogba made his impact felt almost immediately after entering the pitch, his pass set away Mason Greenwood who ran to the by-line before cutting in and shooting well-wide.
City continued to push for a winner, with Buendia’s shot from an acute angle flying just past Romeo’s right-hand post after effective play by Josip Drmic. Hernandez was played in by the Argentine moments later – only for Brandon Williams’ last-ditch tackle to prevent the Cuban from shooting.
Timm Klose saw red two minutes before the full-time whistle, with the Swiss defender penalised for grappling with Ighalo as the Nigerian looked to be through on goal.
United could have scored a last-gasp winner when Greenwood fired an effort at goal. Krul scrambled across to make a stunning save before smothering Pogba’s shot to ensure the game went to extra-time.
Pogba had an early chance in the first minute of extra-time after Tom Trybull deflected a shot into the path of the French midfielder, but his glancing header dropped wide. City had their goalkeeper to thank again soon after when Marcus Rashford curled an effort towards the top corner, only for Krul to push it over the bar.
The Dutch keeper was the match-winner for City in their fifth-round victory over Tottenham Hotspur, and he was determined to replicate it with a string of impressive saves in extra time, especially his effort to stop Maguire’s header.
City suffered heartbreak late on as Maguire converted four minutes from time. Pogba’s chip in the box was kept alive by Ighalo – before Anthony Martial’s run was stopped only for the ball to fall for Maguire, who shot on the turn into the net.
- Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Krul; Aarons, Klose, Godfrey, Lewis (Idah, 118); Tettey (c.), McLean; Rupp (Hernandez, 62), Buendia (Duda, 91), Cantwell (Trybull, 90); Pukki (Drmic, 71). Subs not used: McGovern (GK), Vrancic, Leitner, Stiepermann.
- Bookings: None
- Red Cards: Klose (Foul on Ighalo 89)
- Goals: Cantwell 75
- Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Romeo; Dalot (Williams, 63), Bailly (Martial, 96), Maguire (c), Shaw; McTominay (Matic, 78), Fred (Pogba, 78); Mata (Greenwood, 63), Fernandes, Lingard (Rashford, 63); Ighalo. Subs not used: De Gea (GK), Fosu-Mensah, Andreas.
- Bookings: Fernandes (Foul on Hernandez, 109)
- Goals: Ighalo 51, Maguire 117
- Added on time: 2 mins/ 6 mins
- Referee: Jonathan Moss
- VAR: Simon Hooper
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