ELATION for Louis van Gaal — but desolation for Roberto Martinez.
In the battle of the bosses on the brink, it was Manchester
United’s manager who pulled another rabbit out of the hat.
Whenever LVG has been pushed closer to the exit door this season he has
conjured a big result — and this time it came courtesy of Anthony Martial’s
last-gasp winner.
His nickname in Holland is the Iron Tulip but over here he should be known as
Loudini.
It is a shame that cannot be said about Martinez, whose time is surely running
out at Everton.
New majority investor Farhad Moshiri was in the posh seats at Wembley and
heard Martinez’s men booed off at half-time.
They fought back after the break, Romelu Lukaku having a spot-kick saved by
David De Gea before Chris Smalling’s own goal levelled the score — but it
was a cruel final blow for Martinez.
Of course, his cause was not helped by Gareth Barry — “one of the best English
players ever”, according to the Goodison gaffer — being out with a groin
problem.
That is part of the problem with Martinez.
Tom Cleverley is “one of the most sensational free transfers you are going to
see in Premier League history”, John Stones “one of the greatest players
England has ever seen” and Ross Barkley gets regularly branded as
“phenomenal”.
The Spaniard has built them up but cannot get them winning.
Stones, Barkley and Lukaku will easily find new clubs and Everton fans may
soon be reflecting on how such a gifted group of players failed to deliver.
Chins were already on the floor after the midweek Merseyside demolition derby
— and this was another massive blow.
Phil Jagielka being passed fit after hamstring problems had given Everton a
lift before kick-off.
Jagielka scored the winning penalty against United in the semi-final shootout
in 2009.
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That game had finished 0-0 after extra-time but this one was unlikely to be
goalless — not with Mo Besic playing right-back for Everton after the loss
of Ramiro Funes Mori, banned for his horror tackle on Divock Origi at
Anfield.
It could have been so different had Lukaku stuck away an early chance. The
Belgian took advantage when Daley Blind allowed the ball to bounce and Tim
Fosu-Mensah failed to deal with it. Lukaku went around De Gea but Wayne
Rooney had raced back and headed away his scuffed shot off the line.
What a let-off for LVG. But he is no stranger to riding his luck when his job
looks under threat.
At Christmas, a morale-boosting draw against Chelsea
saved him, while recently a victory over West Ham papered over the cracks.
In between that, he looked in peril after losing to FC Midtjylland in Europe
but accidentally stumbled into picking Marcus Rashford thanks to a freak
injury.
In yesterday’s semi-final it was Martial’s turn. But they were allowed to
dominate most of the game and Rooney was allowed to dictate play from
central midfield.
Marcos Rojo headed wide from one of Roo’s free-kicks, then the England skipper
set up Jesse Lingard with a lovely ball over the top.
Lingard got his shot away and it needed Joel Robles to save sharply.
Roy Hodgson was in the crowd and saw Wazza all over the pitch. He had a go
himself from the edge of the area but Robles saved.
Martial also looked sharp and should have scored when he was sent through by
Lingard — but the Frenchman blazed over. The deadlock was finally broken 11
minutes before the break, thanks to ex-Toffee Marouane Fellaini.
It was such a simple goal as Martial breezed past Besic and picked out the
big-haired Belgian, who side-footed in at the near post.
Everton were given a lifeline in the second half when Anthony Taylor added to
the list of recent ref cock-ups.
Fosu-Mensah clearly won the ball when he challenged Barkley, yet Taylor
pointed to the spot.
Luckily for United, De Gea dived low to his right and saved superbly from
Lukaku, his one-handed stop pushing the ball around a post. Cleverley skied
Aaron Lennon’s cross in front of goal and United could have had a penalty
themselves when Jagielka handled on the line from Fellaini’s shot.
But the leveller came when Smalling turned Gerard Deulofeu’s powerful cross
past De Gea.
Deulofeu also forced De Gea into a smart save and the game looked set for
extra-time when Martial struck in stoppage time.
United sub Ander Herrera helped cut through the Everton defence one last time
and Martial kept his cool to slot past Robles.
Here are five things we learnt at Wembley, from NEIL CUSTIS . . .
1
ANYONE doubting whether Wayne Rooney should start at the Euros should have
been here.
He was everywhere. Heading one effort from Lukaku off the line and spreading
the ball around up front. The watching Roy Hodgson will have been pleased.
2
BY the same token Stones’ reputation took another battering in front of the
England boss.
This time he completely lost Marouane Fellaini for United’s opener. Mind you
Chris Smalling had a moment to forget also with his own goal
3
FELLAINI has finally found some favour amongst the United
supporters with his goal and performance yesterday but any last remnants he
may have had with his old cluib will have gone.
His celebration for his goal was clearly to goad the Everton fans as he
pointed to the name on the back of his shirt in front of them.
4
LUKAKU’S two possible auditions in front of the United board for a possible
move have both fallen flat.
He was poor in Everton’s 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford at the start of the month.
Yesterday he wasted two great chances with a heavy first touch and then
missed a penalty.
5
TRAVELLING to and from Wembley from the North West is never a piece of cake.
Particularly if you are United legend Lou Macari who got on a train at
London’s Marylebone for the final leg of his trip to the stadium and ended
up in Birmingham. It was the other platform Lou. He still made it in time
for kick-off.