Lukaku’s brace seals last eight spot for United
By Israel Igiri
Romelu Lukaku goals early in each half ensured Manchester United progressed to progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Huddersfield on Saturday’s fifth round tie.
Lukaku who showed skill, strength and balance, opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, racing onto Juan Mata’s through ball before finishing at the near post to put the Red Devils ahead at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The Belgian then got his 21st goal of the season in the 55th minute to put the tie out of sight for Huddersfield Town. He broke clear of Yorkshire side’s defence, this time picking up Alexis Sanchez’s lovely pass, before calmly slotting the ball beyond Jonas Lossl in a one-on-one situation.
The Terriers gave a good account of themselves and created plenty of chances in a dominant first half performance. They were confident on the ball and pressed the Manchester side when they did not have it and, for large periods, were more than a match for Jose Mourinho’s men. However, a couple of individual errors proved costly as the 17th placed Premier League team must now look forward to saving their season in the league after a wonderful start.
Eyebrows were raised when Mata had a goal ruled out just before half time by the video assistant referee (VAR). The Spaniard seemed to be onside when he received a pass from Ashley Young to put United 2-0 up, but the VAR advised Referee Kevin Friend to disallow the goal for offside.
Nevertheless, the incident counted little as Mourinho’s men still advanced setting up a quarter-final date with Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford in the draws conducted on Saturday night.
In the other draws, Leicester City welcome Chelsea to the King Power Stadium, the winners of the tie between Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City will do battle against the winners of the tie involving Rochdale and Tottenham Hotspur, while Southampton will meet with the winners of the Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City tie.
The last eight ties will take place between March 16 and 19 as the road to Wembley continues.
