Bernd Leno was the hero as Fulham beat holders Manchester United on penalties to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The ex-Arsenal goalkeeper saved consecutive shootout spot-kicks from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee after a goalless but eventful period of extra time had followed Bruno Fernandes’ fine equaliser to cancel out a late first-half header from Calvin Bassey.
Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian and Antonee Robinson all successfully dispatched their penalties for Fulham, while Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro had all been on target for United before back-to-back misses from Lindelof and Zirkzee.
It was the first time Fulham had knocked United out of the FA Cup since 1908 in just a third win at Old Trafford since the 1960s.
The reward for Marco Silva’s side is a home London derby against Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals, to be played at Craven Cottage later this month.
It was a mostly turgid first half on Sunday played out amid a subdued atmosphere at Old Trafford, where the respective supporters’ trusts joined together ahead of kick-off for a protest against ticket prices.
Bernd Leno shovelled wide the first shot in anger from Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund blazed well wide of the front post after stealing a march on Bassey to connect with Christian Eriksen’s low cross.
Fulham wasted a huge chance to take the lead when Saka Lukic burst into the box to connect with a left-wing delivery from Alex Iwobi, only to steer his header wide.
The Serbian midfielder’s blushes were spared on the stroke of half-time by Bassey, who beat Noussair Mazraoui to glance a header home after Andreas Pereira’s corner was initially flicked on by Rodrigo Muniz. It is the sixth game in a row that United have conceded the first goal.
Fulham lost Adama Traore to injury early in the second half and Amorim sent on both Garnacho and Victor Lindelof, with Leno saving a tame drive from Fernandes before Fulham could have doubled their lead when a low effort from fit-again substitute Emile Smith Rowe was kept out by a strong hand from Andre Onana.
United looked to be heading out with a whimper before a moment of inspiration from captain Fernandes, who issued a fine riposte to public criticism from Roy Keane this week by hitting a fast first-time finish beyond Leno and into the bottom corner on the swivel after being picked out by Diogo Dalot’s smart cut back.
That fine equaliser sparked the match into life and revitalised the home fans, setting up a frantic finish to the 90 in which Smith Rowe was denied by Onana again and the likes of Garnacho, Harry Maguire and 17-year-old striker Chido Obi all went close to last-gasp winners.
Instead it was extra time, which started with Garnacho rifling into the side netting after being released by Casemiro. United had sent on teenage defender Ayden Heaven for a hobbled Maguire, while Fulham lost Andreas Pereira to a knock and both Raul Jimenez and Willian entered the fray.
The chances continued to flow in extra time, with Leno making a crucial save from Obi and Harrison Reed failing to finish Smith Rowe’s pass before the offside flag went up.
Onana parried a fierce strike from Ryan Sessegnon and Casemiro curled wide, with a Willian free-kick in the closing seconds aimed straight at the United goalkeeper as a shootout was confirmed.
More to follow
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