The Reds have come a long way. Without energy after qualifying for the Europa League at Sevilla on Thursday, they looked set for a home disappointment against the Cottagers.

The latter, well organized and more in legs, had opened the score on the return of the dressing rooms on a corner badly shot, but deflected by Issa Diop to the striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who had deceived David de Gea from close range (0-1, 50th).

A quarter of an hour later, he had even almost doubled the bet with a header, but the Spanish goalkeeper had relaxed magnificently on his right (65th).

But it only took a counter-attack favored by a moment of inattention for everything to change.

Antony, who had just entered the game, played well a two-on-one by serving Jadon Sancho who dribbled the goalkeeper, hooked the return of a defender and shot towards the goal but Willian, returned in disaster, had the bad reflex to put his hand to prevent the ball from going in.

Flattering score for United blunt

Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham's Serbian striker, ruled out by the referee against Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford on March 19, 2023 in Manchester © Paul ELLIS / AFP

Called to the sidelines to see the footage, the referee first ruled out coach Marco Silva who protested too vehemently, before confirming penalty and red card against Willian, which provoked the fury of Mitrovic, who was also sent back to the locker room for shoving the referee.

Bruno Fernandes kept his cool to take Bernd Leno on the wrong foot and Fulham found themselves at nine (1-1, 75th).

Two minutes later, Manchester hit the nail on the head, Marcel Sabitzer cleverly taking a tense Luke Shaw centre at ground level to give his side the lead (2-1, 77th).

At the very end of the match, Fernandes added a third goal that gives a flattering air to the result (3-1, 90+5).

United will return to Wembley where they won the League Cup in February and can still dream of a treble, with the C3.

In the semi-finals, on April 22 or 23, they will face Brighton who beat Petit Poucet of Division 4 Grismby Town (5-0).

Under the leadership of Roberto de Zerbi, who replaced Graham Potter after his departure to Chelsea, the club from the south of England continues to produce a game as pleasant as it is effective and can also dream of European qualification.

After Burnley, Sheffield for City

Despite the support of 4600 fans who had crossed England to support them with their iconic inflatable haddocks, the Mariners this time lowered their flag.

From the 6th minute, Deniz Undav had followed a strike from Moises Caicedo that the opposing goalkeeper could not control to open the score (1-0).

Grimsby reached the break with this score that still left room for dreaming but a double from Evan Ferguson (2-0, 51st and 3-0, 70th) concretized the superiority of the Premier League team.

A diving header from Solly March (4-0, 82nd) and a lucky goal, on a deflected strike from Kaoru Mitoma (5-0, 90th) further inflated the score.

In the early afternoon, Sheffield United had won (3-2) a duel 100% Championship (D2) by overthrowing Blackburn who had led 1-0 and then 2-1 in the last minute, thanks to a strike from Tommy Doyle in the middle of the window.

Brighton's Irish goalscorer Evan Ferguson celebrates one of his goals against Grimsby Town in the FA Cup quarter-final on March 19, 2023 in Brighton © Glyn KIRK / AFP

In the semis, the Blades will have the formidable honor of rubbing shoulders with Manchester City who had no mercy for Burnley (6-0) -- the leader of Championship (D2) ahead of Sheffield --, coached by Vincent Kompany who had worn the sky blue jersey for eleven years, including eight as captain.

© 2023 AFP