Manchester United celebrates (Getty)
Casemiro scored twice as Manchester United ignited the style to beat 10-man Reading 3-1 and reach the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday as Tottenham striker Son Heung-min ended his recent drought. of goals.
On a day without major surprises, there were victories for Premier League battlers Leeds, Leicester and Southampton, but Fulham clinched Championship side Sunderland.
United, fourth in the Premier League and within striking distance of a place in the League Cup final, produced more compelling evidence that it is back on track under new manager Erik ten Hag.
The home team took the lead at Old Trafford in the 54th minute when Anthony produced a pass that split the defense to find his Brazil team-mate Casemiro who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Lumley.
Four minutes later, United were two up when Casemiro fired a stunning shot from outside the box to find the bottom corner.
With the home side brimming with confidence, substitute Fred produced a bold move from Bruno Fernandes’ low cross to the near post to clinch the game.
By then Reading had been reduced to 10 men after Andy Carroll was sent off for a second booking, but Paul Ince’s side still managed to score a consolation goal.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has described former Real Madrid star Casemiro as a “phenomenal player”.
“You don’t win what he has won without being a top-level player,” he said. “He has improved the team, morale and performance.”
Harry Kane was left on the bench for Spurs’ game at Preston, meaning he missed a chance to break a tie with Jimmy Greaves and become Tottenham’s all-time top scorer.
In the absence of the England captain, Son stepped up with two strong results for a much-needed confidence boost.
The South Korean, who shared the Premier League Golden Boot last season, had scored just one goal in his previous 17 appearances for club and country.
But the 30-year-old brought the round four tie to life after a lackluster first half with a sumptuous left-footed strike and finished off the tie with 21 minutes to go by spinning his marker and shooting over Freddie Woodman. .
Arnaut Danjuma then marked his Tottenham debut with a goal as his wasted shot from a Dejan Kulusevski cross found the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
“I needed those goals for my confidence,” Son said.
“It was really important. It was the kind of position I like to shoot from. In the first half I had a couple of chances to shoot, but the goalkeeper made a good save.
“As a forward or as an attacking player, the important thing is that you get that goal. It’s important that I can help the team to the next round. I’m very, very happy.”
Leeds booked their place in the fifth round for the first time since 2016 by beating Accrington Stanley 3-1.
Jack Harrison’s stunning long-range shot calmed the visitors’ nerves against the League One side.
A brilliant reverse pass from Patrick Bamford powered Junior Firpo to double the visitors’ lead on 66 minutes and Luis Sinisterra finished off Harrison’s cross to end the tie.
Fourth-tier Walsall made Leicester sweat, only to be rescued by FA Cup specialist Kelechi Iheanacho in a 1-0 win.
The Nigerian has scored more goals in the competition than any other player since making his debut in 2016.
Iheanacho enjoyed a dose of fortune scoring his 17th goal in 23 FA Cup appearances when his second-half shot from the edge of the box went wide.
Fullback Romain Perraud scored twice as Southampton overcame a late rally from Blackpool to advance 2-1.
Fulham were the only Premier League side to fail to win on Saturday after Sunderland drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage.
Four other ties will need replays to find a winner, including Championship leaders Burnley’s clash with Ipswich after a 0-0 draw at Portman Road.
Manchester City were the first team into the fifth round after beating Arsenal 1-0 on Friday in a top-two clash in the Premier League.
Liverpool travel to Brighton in the pick for Sunday’s qualifiers.
