Andy Turner’s player ratings as Coventry City’s sensational comeback ends in Man Utd penalty defeat

Coventry City rallied from 3-0 down against Manchester United to force the FA Cup semi-final to extra time and penalties at Wembley Stadium.

The Sky Blues were outclassed for the first hour, with goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes appearing to take the game away from them. However, a magnificent shot from Ellis Simms and a deflected attempt from Callum O’Hare cut the lead before Haji Wright coolly converted a stoppage time penalty to level the tie and send it to extra time.

Cheered on by 36,000 loud and proud fans forming a sea of sky blue, Mark Robins’ men struggled to contain the Red Devils in a difficult first half, conceding the opening goal in the 23rd minute when McTominay got on the end of a Diogo Dalot cross to the far post. United had 76 percent possession, created eight attempts on goal, and hit one crucial one on target.

Brad Collins made a superb save on the stroke of halftime to deny Marcus Rashford, but Maguire headed in from the resulting corner kick to put the Premier League side ahead 2-0 at the break. Fernandes increased the lead just before the hour mark after City lost possession in the box, and the midfielder fired a powerful and low drive that rebounded off Bobby Thomas’ calf and beat Collins at the near post. However, substitute Fabio Tavares supplied a fantastic cross, allowing Simms to score a sensational first-time shot past Onana. O’Hare then added a second for the Sky Blues in the 78th minute when his effort bounced over the United keeper, before Victor Torp was denied an equaliser by the United keeper’s amazing save.

However, Wan-Bissaka handled in the area deep in stoppage time, allowing Wright to slam home from 12 yards and send the game to overtime, where Wright screwed wide and Simms struck the underside of the crossbar, coming agonisingly close to snatching a victory from open play.

STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-3

BRAD COLLINS: 7

Dived for Diogo Dalot’s 23rd-minute low cross but missed, allowing Scott McTominay to score at the far post. Under pressure from red shirts, he kept his cool and took a threatening ball into the box. He made a fantastic save, tipping over to deny Marcus Rashford, but was easily beaten from the resultant corner, which Harry Maguire gathered up with his head. The third goal was scored at his near post thanks to a vicious deflection off Thomas. Made a solid save in the shootout.

Bobby Thomas: 7.

In the 20th minute, he made a critical head block to deny Bruno Fernandes, and he took the ball out nicely, distributing precisely. However, the center-back was one among three players who failed to get near enough to Maguire for United’s second goal before halftime. Gained confidence as the game progressed, making a fantastic sliding tackle to stop Hojland in extra time.

Joel Latibeaudiere: 6

He read the game well and drove out of defence to take on a couple of early challenges, knocking Rasmus Hojland off his feet. Dalot’s low cross for the opening goal nearly missed him. He gave the ball away in his own box, which led to the third goal.

LIAM KITCHING: 6.

Took a no-nonsense approach to defending, assessing the situation well and making plenty of blocks and tackles. A bit loose, with the occasional wayward forward pass.

MILAN VAN EWIJK: 8. 5

Deployed as a wing-back, the Dutchman launched his long throw early on and was certain in possession, taking on and defeating men as he raced forward out of defence. Very assured in possession, and one of City’s top players of the day.

JOSH ECCLES: 6.5

The Cov Kid headed clear of the first United corner of the afternoon, displaying discipline and confidence. Drove forward, passed his marker into the box, and delivered a low cross for City’s first and best chance of the half.

BEN SHEAF: 8.

He appeared at ease on the big stage, making superb use of the ball when it was at his feet. One of three players that failed to get close enough to Maguire for the second goal. Far more influential after the hour, when City staged a spectacular comeback.

JAKE BIDWELL: 6

He moved up from his wing-back position on the left, hoping to send in good early passes behind. He had his work cut out for him, as did the rest of his teammates, against such quality opponents.

Callum O’Hare: 8.5.

Busy and vivacious in possession, he worked extremely hard out of possession, pressing and tracking. Sent a diving header over the bar after the break as City rallied and played a role in Simms’ goal. Scored with a deflected attempt as he made a significant impact after the break. We had a hand in what we thought was a winning move from Torp.

Haji Wright: 8.

Attempted an early breakaway, but Dalot was too quick for him and mopped up. Worked hard but struggled to make an impact throughout a challenging first half. Continued to toil after the break, demonstrating steely nerves to equalise from the penalty spot in stoppage time. In extra time, he raced past Casemiro on a counterattack but ran out of space. O’Hare fed the ball late, but his effort went across the face of goal and just wide of the far post. Played the ball in for Torp’s disallowed late winner when he was ruled to be slightly offside.

ELLIS SIMMS: 9.

He held the ball up nicely and passed it to his teammates well. Unlucky not to connect with a Josh Eccles cross that was blocked by the great defender Dalot. Hit a great first-time finish to close the gap and set up an entertaining finale. I played a fantastic square ball to O’Hare for his goal. A goal and an assist capped an outstanding performance by the striker, who did not look out of place versus United. Hit the underside of the bar late in what appeared to be the victory. Played with tremendous swagger!

12th MAN: 10

The Sky Blue Army were super from start to finish, out-singing United fans throughout and more than playing their part in the sensational fight-back.

SUBSTITUTES:

LUIS BINKS (63 mins, for Kitching): 8

Played well and won the late penalty when he sent in a cross that was handled by Wan-Bissaka. Defended really well, throwing himself in a crunching tackle to deny Fernandes. Outstanding late cameo.

FABIO TAVARES (63 mins, for Latibeaudiere): 7.5

Added a real spark with a decent cross cum shot and then sent in the ball for Simms to score. Terrific cameo but appeared to go off injured at the halfway point of extra-time.

VICTOR TORP (63 mins, for Eccles): 7

Hit a stunning shot from the edge of the box that was denied by a brilliant save as City threatened to equalise. Thought he had scored the late winner, only to be ruled out for off-side.

JAY DASILVA (79 mins, for Bidwell): 7

Got forward well to help City’s fight-back. Defended really well.

MATTY GODDEN (105 mins, for Tavares): 6.5

Added fresh legs for the last 15 minutes.

Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Liam Kelly, Jamie Allen, Kai Andrews.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dioga Dalot, Caremiro, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo; Alejandro Garnacho , Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.

GOALS:

SKY BLUES: Simms (71), O’Hare (78), Wright (90+5, pen)

RED DEVILS: McTominay (23), Maguire (46), Fernandes (58)

City lose 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

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