Brighton & Hove Albion – Manchester United: Lindelöf The Divider In Labored Semi-Final (0-0, 6-7 After Penalties)

A Victor Lindelöf penalty won the shoot out, to send Manchester United to the FA Cup final. Only spot kicks could divide the teams as Brighton & Hove Albion found routes through the block, with no shot creation, whilst United had struggled at both of these elements.
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

It is only right that the first meeting of Roberto De Zerbi and Erik ten Hag would take place under Wembley’s arch, reflective of the successful seasons both clubs have partaken.

After years of loitering in the lower half of the Premier League, Brighton has finally delivered on its potential under their young Italian coach. Success and consistency in the league have been mirrored in the FA Cup too; having beaten Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Stoke City and Grimsby Town to get to this point. Suffering only two defeats since the turn of the year, Brighton went into this match in imperious form.

Ten Hag and his men started the week with a cup treble within reach, but how that all changed in Seville. A 3-0 defeat cast a light on the old habits that have not been killed off. Having lost Marcus Rashford, due to injury, had also played into the efficiency upfront, as Anthony Martial struggled to replace the goals that his teammate had been bagging.

Two changes were made to the Brighton team that comfortably cruised past Chelsea last weekend. These came in the . . .