Manchester United continued our perfect start to 2018 by progressing to the Emirates FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Yeovil Town.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku saw Jose Mourinho celebrate both his birthday and 100th game at the club with a win, as the Reds recorded a fifth successive triumph without conceding a goal.
Prior to kick-off, Huish Park was united in a minute of applause in memory of former England defender Jimmy Armfield, who passed away this week. Once the game got under way, it was the hosts who were first to try a shot on goal, Jordan Green firing at Sergio Romero who saved his effort.
Debutant Alexis Sanchez played in Scott McTominay, who saw his shot low strike turned behind by Glovers keeper Arthur Krysiak. Alexis, who had been putting up with jeers from the home supporters every time he touched the ball, then had to weather a strong challenge from Nathan Smith. The defender received a booking for going through the back of the Chilean. From the resulting free-kick, Alexis eyed up the bottom right corner, although not with enough power to beat Krysiak.
Four minutes before half time, however, the deadlock was broken. The Yeovil defenders failed to clear the ball and allowed Rashford the opportunity to wriggle through and place a simple finish into the net, making him the fourth United player this season to have netted double figures (after Lukaku, Lingard and Martial). Sanchez had played the through ball to the young forward.
Jose’s side started the second period as strong, if not stronger, than they ended the first and Rashford was targeting his second of the evening, but failed to find the target with his shot which ended wide of the left-hand post.
Just after the hour mark, Alexis produced a neat assist, breaking to find Herrera, who expertly hammered home a low left-footed shot, doubling the Reds’ lead. Herrera’s 16th goal in a United shirt providing him with the perfect souvenir from his 150th appearance for the club at a ground where he scored in the past.
Moments later, the travelling supporters were celebrating again as Juan Mata turned in an effort from close range, however the Spaniard’s strike was ruled out for offside.
United continued to control the match as it neared its conclusion and as the clock ticked down there was still time for second-half substitutes Lingard and Lukaku to plunder more goals. Lingard smashed home in style after a penetrative run before Lukaku pounced in injury time from a Marcos Rojo cross, with impressive substitute Angel Gomes, who almost scored with his first involvement, featuring in the build-up.
As well as an effective attacking display, the Reds will no doubt be proud of keeping a sixth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions and can now look forward to Monday’s draw.
El Manchester United continuó con comienzo perfecto el 2018, para avanzar a la quinta ronda de la FA Cup Emirates con una cómoda victoria 4-0 sobre Yeovil Town.
Los goles de Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard y Romelu Lukaku vieron a José Mourinho celebrar su cumpleaños y el partido número 100 en el club con una victoria, ya que los Rojos registraron un quinto triunfo consecutivo sin conceder un gol.
Antes del inicio, Huish Park se unió en un minuto de aplauso en memoria del ex defensor de Inglaterra Jimmy Armfield, quien falleció esta semana. Una vez que el juego se puso en marcha, fueron los anfitriones quienes primero probaron un tiro a puerta, Jordan Green disparando a Sergio Romero que evitó con su esfuerzo.
Cuatro minutos antes del medio tiempo, sin embargo, la paridad se rompió. Los defensores de Yeovil no lograron despejar la pelota y le permitieron a Rashford abrirse paso y colocar un sencillo remate en la red, convirtiéndose en el cuarto jugador del United esta temporada en anotar dos dígitos (después de Lukaku, Lingard y Martial). Sánchez había asistido con pase directo al joven alero.
El equipo de José comenzó el segundo período, si no más fuerte, de lo que terminó el primero y Rashford estaba apuntando a su segundo de la noche, pero no pudo encontrar el objetivo con su disparo, que terminó en el extremo izquierdo del poste.
Justo después de la hora de juego, Alexis realizó una buena asistencia, rompiendo lineas para encontrar a Herrera, quien golpeó hábilmente con un disparo de zurda abajo, doblando la ventaja de los Rojos. El 16º gol de Herrera con una camiseta de United le proporciona el recuerdo perfecto de su aparición número 150 para el club en un terreno donde anotó en el pasado.
United siguió controlando el partido cuando se acercaba a su conclusión y, a medida que avanzaba el tiempo, aún había tiempo para que los suplentes de la segunda mitad Lingard y Lukaku lograran más goles. Lingard destrozó a los de casa con estilo después de una carrera de penetración antes de que Lukaku se adelantara en tiempo de lesión con un centro de Marcos Rojo.