The 10-team defending champions triumph in the third round of the FA Cup
Altay Bayindir saved Kai Havertz’s spot-kick as part of a brilliant goalkeeping display to send 10-man Manchester United into the fourth round of the FA Cup on penalties in an all-Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Bruno Fernandes had given the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute before Gabriel equalized two minutes after Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second yellow card.
Joshua Zirkzee stays cool and sends Manchester United to the next round! What a drama!
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In the second half of regular time, Martin Odegaard saved a penalty as part of an exceptional performance from Bayindir.
Fernandes, Odegaard, Amad Diallo, Leny Yoro, Declan Rice, Lisandro Martinez and Thomas Partey all scored in the shootout before Joshua Zirkzee emphatically scored the winner. Bayindir touched Havertz’s low shot – Arsenal’s second shot – against the post and went out.
SAVED! Advantage for Manchester United!
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Arsenal vs Man United
Gabriel Martinelli’s early denial was the most notable moment of an unpromising first half before this tense contest reached its climax seven minutes after the restart.
United took the lead through Fernandes’ shot from the edge of the box as part of a brisk counter-attack, sparking an extraordinary series of drama as the half progressed.
“One chance, one goal for the United captain!”
Deadlock broken. Manchester United is ahead!
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— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 12, 2025
After Dalot received a second booking for a foul on Mikel Merino, centre-back Gabriel’s low shot from Bayindir’s strike deflected off Matthijs de Ligt, bringing Arsenal level with 27 minutes left in regulation time.
The momentum appeared to have swung decisively in Arsenal’s favor when they were then awarded a penalty after Harry Maguire obstructed Havertz’s run, although the contact looked minimal and might have been judged differently had the Video Assistant Referee (VAR ) would have previously intervened in the fifth round of the competition.
United’s indignation turned to joy when Bayindir brilliantly parried Odegaard’s penalty and sent the solid shot home with all his might to the left.
Understood! The dynamics here changed very quickly.
Gabriel grabs the equalizer!
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Bayindir’s brilliance sees United through
In a sign of rising tensions – a time-honored tradition of the duel between two powerhouses of English football – Ugarte and Havertz butted heads for several seconds, with both managers perhaps grateful for the absence of VAR when a scuffle broke out.
Bayindir had only previously been involved in the EFL Cup this season and the Turkey international appeared to make up for lost time when he directed Rice’s header over the bar from Odegaard’s cross and directed the England midfielder’s low shot just wide of the far post.
What a moment for Altay Bayindir! He does well to save Martin Odegaard’s penalty!
This game certainly picked up steam in the second half!
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— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 12, 2025
Andre Onana’s understudy could have done little if Havertz hadn’t spurned a substitute after another Odegaard shot and missed his finish as familiar problems in front of goal once again troubled Arsenal.
The Gunners continued to dominate chances in extra time, but United came closest to scoring when David Raya parried Zirkzee’s deflected shot and sent the ball around his near post with an outstanding reaction.
United host top opponents Leicester City in the fourth round on the weekend of February 8th.
