Weekend Review: VAR spares United’s blushes as all-Manchester FA Cup final is set

After waiting over a century for an all-Manchester FA Cup final, we have two in as many years as both Manchester clubs overcame tense semi-finals to reach the showpiece event. 

An exhausted Manchester City (11/20) were able to overcome Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea (4/1), 1-0, thanks to a late Bernardo Silva strike to keep the Citizens’ hopes of another double alive, following City’s mid-week exit from the UEFA Champions League to Real Madrid on penalties. 

The loss for Chelsea also made it back-to-back defeats for the Blues at Wembley following the League Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier in the season. It was also a familiar feeling for Blues boss Pochettino as that is now his third FA Cup semi-final loss, adding to the two defeats the Argentine had as Tottenham manager. 

There was far more drama in the second semi-final as heavy favourites Manchester United (1/2) faced Coventry City (6/1), who were making their first appearance at this stage since winning the cup in 1987. 

It looked like business as usual as United ran into a three-goal lead just before the hour mark, but a comeback reminiscent of Liverpool against Barcelona or Tottenham against Ajax saw the Sky Blues claw it back to 3-3 thanks to an extremely late penalty from Haji Wright sending the tie to extra-time. 

United had traded at the lowest odds possible on the Betfair Exchange, 1.01, when 3-0 up, while the draw and correct score (3-3) were matched at 290 and 1,000, respectively.

Coventry then looked like they had done the impossible when, in the last knockings of the added period, Wright played the ball across the United box, and Victor Torp got a toe on it to send the Sky Blues fans into raptures.

It wasn’t to be, though, as VAR adjudged Wright to be an inch offside in the build-up, and the fairytale story had an abrupt curtain call.

Then, in the ensuing penalty shootout, it looked like Coventry may be in luck after all following Casemiro’s tame penalty was easily saved by Bradley Collins. Again, it wasn’t meant to be, as United went on to score every spot kick while only Torp could find the back of the net for Coventry, with Callum O’Hare and Ben Sheaf missing for the Championship side. 

On the Wembley drama, Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “It was semi-final weekend, and a tired City edged past Chelsea, just, courtesy of a late Bernardo Silva strike. Decent result for us, but nothing could prepare us all for Sunday – a 90-minute 3-3 draw between Man United and Coventry, after the Reds squandered a 3-0 lead and the Sky Blues all but sent their illustrious foes packing. Sensational stuff.”

Francisco Cano, head of trading at LiveScore Group, added: “Overall, it was a solid weekend for us, with decent turnover figures and a very good margin. The biggest event over the weekend was the Man City versus Chelsea game, which finished 1-0 and also provided us with the best margin of the weekend.

“Naturally, the second semi-final in the FA Cup match was another huge event that resulted in that thrilling 3-3 draw between Coventry and Man United, with United eventually going through via penalties.”

In the reduced Premier League fixture list, Arsenal and Liverpool (13/20) took advantage of City’s FA Cup exploits by making ground in the title race. 

Arsenal (1/4) edged an injury-hit Wolves (11/1) side 2-0 up in the West Midlands thanks to strikes from Leandro Trossard and Martin Ødegaard. 

Liverpool moved level on points with the Gunners after a second-half flurry of goals away at Fulham (18/5). 

On the Premier League action, Michael Reading from Betway, said: “Arsenal and Liverpool got their Premier League title bids back on track as they both won comfortably at the weekend, delighting favourite backers and those outright punters still hoping for a City slip up on the run in.

“We still make City the 4/7 favourites for league glory, but all eyes will be on the Amex Stadium on Thursday now when City travel down to face De Zerbi’s men in what could prove a tricky encounter.”

In Europe, the main focus was on Spain and El Clásico as Jude Bellingham continued to make headlines since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, with the midfield maestro scoring in injury time to give Real Madrid a victory.

Reading added: “It was that man, Jude Bellingham, yet again, that caused our traders to let out some big sighs on Sunday evening as his stoppage-time winner sent Real Madrid 11 points clear at the top of La Liga after an enthralling El Clásico. 

“A draw in one of the world’s biggest games is always very welcomed, but Bellingham is becoming accustomed to delivering on the biggest stage, and that goal ensured it was a weekend that belonged to the punters.”

There were mixed fortunes for the bookies across Europe, as bet365’s Steve Freeth explained: “We had contrasting days in Europe on Saturday and Sunday. Bayern Munich 4/6, Leipzig 4/9, Girona 2/5 and Lens 4/11 among others landing on Saturday, while the likes of 8/11 Stuttgart, 3/4 Atletico Madrid and 5/4 Real Sociedad helped stem the flow on the coupon front on Sunday.”