LONDON – The English Premier League and the FA Cup season 2022/23 were played simultaneously last weekend.
Seven games completed In the EPL matchday 28, another three were postponed as the involving teams are participating in the FA Cup quarter finals on the same days.
On Sunday, Arsenal crushed Crystal Palace 4-1 at Emirates Stadium, expanding their leading advantage in the Premier League table to eight points over Manchester City.
Two goals from Bukayo Saka plus scores from Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka gave the Gunners six consecutive wins in the EPL, having a bright chance to win the league trophy since 19 years ago with ten matches left.
In another focused match on Saturday, Chelsea could only draw 2-2 with Everton at Stamford Bridge, ending their winning streak and maintaining tenth place.
Tottenham Hotspur was also tied 3-3 against Southampton in the away game, staying in fourth position with 49 points, two points above Newcastle but two more games played.
FA Cup: Another Haaland’s Show
In the FA Cup Last Eight, Manchester City slaughtered Burnley 6-0 at Etihad Stadium, marched into the semi finals as the top favourite of champion.
The EPL powerhouse showed their dominance against the leading club of the EFL Championship League, as well as the meeting between City’s manager Pep Guardiola and his former team captain Vincent Kompany who is now coaching the visiting team.
The Blue Moons’ best striker Erling Haaland again destroyed his opponents’ defence with a hat-trick, plus goals from Julian Alvarez and Cole Palmer.
The Norwegian forward had netted eight goals in his last two appearances, including five goals in the Cities’ 7-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg last Tuesday.
Manchester City will face Sheffield United in the Last Four on 22nd April at Wembley Stadium.
Man United Eliminate 9 Players’ Fulham
In another hot match on Sunday, Manchester United performed a thrilling comeback to eliminate Fulham 3-1 at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils apparently couldn’t play smoothly without their best defending midfielder Casemiro, who was suspended for four games after a red card against Southampton last EPL matchday.
The away team took advantage since the game started, leading the score with a header from Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 50th minute.
However, the game changer happened in the 70th minute, where Willian from Fulham blocked the shot from Jadon Sancho with his hand.
After reviewing the VAR, the referee sent the Brazilian off with a red card. Mitrovic and the Farmers’ head coach Marco Silva were receiving red cards too as reckless behaviour upon the judge’s decision.
The visiting team quickly lost their advantage with nine players left. After Bruno Fernandes equalised through a penalty kick, United’s new loaned midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored the leading goal two minutes after, Bruno’s second goal in the 90+6’ ensured the home team’s qualification.
Manchester United will meet Brighton in the semi final, the last two appearances needed to hail their second title this season.
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