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 to decide a dramatic penultimate fifth-round tie at OId Trafford 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 as they won the shootout 4-3, while Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro had all been on target for United before costly 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 and second in 12 months, following two narrow defeats to the same opponents in the Premier League this season. It was also revenge for their controversial quarter-final loss at the same ground two years ago.
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.
Leno shovelled wide the first shot in anger from 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 - who made three changes from their midweek league win over Wolves by bringing in Robinson, Bassey and Alex Iwobi - wasted a huge chance to take the lead when Saka Lukic burst into the box to connect with a left-wing delivery from Iwobi, only to steer his disappointing header wide.
The Serbian midfielder’s blushes were spared on the stroke of half-time by Bassey, who beat Noussair Mazraoui - who deputised for the suspended Patrick Dorgu following Wednesday’s chaotic home victory over Ipswich, with Eriksen replacing Alejandro Garnacho - to glance a header home after Andreas Pereira’s corner was initially flicked on by Rodrigo Muniz. It was 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 Ruben Amorim sent on both Garnacho and 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 excellent equaliser sparked the match into life and revitalised the home fans, setting up a frantic finish to the 90 minutes 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 for United.
Instead it was extra time, which started with Garnacho rifling into the side netting after being released by the impactful Casemiro. United had sent on teenage defender Ayden Heaven for his debut for a hobbled Maguire, while Fulham lost Pereira to a knock and both 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 from close range 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 and Leno took centre stage to pile more misery on Amorim.
