EVERTON 1, MAN UNITED 2
Anthony Martial’s dramatic stoppage time winner booked a 19th FA Cup final appearance for Manchester United.
And the Frenchman’s 14th goal of the season sets up a repeat of the 1990 final against Crystal Palace.
In what was an absorbing semi final at Wembley, there were numerous twists and turns and it was hard not to feel sympathy for Everton who went down with all guns blazing.
The Reds were in almost total control of the opening period, though Everton had two of the clearest chances, but lacked a cutting edge.
United deserved their 1-0 lead given to them by Marouane Fellaini, an Everton old boy to make it even worse.
Romelu Lukaku missed a 57th minute for Everton and that appeared to galvanise the team as they drew level with 15 minutes left through a Chris Smalling own goal.
And Everton, with the momentum in their favour, looked the likelier to find a winner until Martial’s last-gasp goal ensured there was no extra time that had loomed.
United manager Louis van Gaal praised his players saying: “After it was 1-1, we showed a mental spirit that was unbelievable.
“Anthony scored a fantastic goal. We were lucky to score in the last minute, but we deserved to win.
“Everton created a lot of chances and it could have been 7-6, but for Manchester United.”
Van Gaal had no arguments about the penalty, but was unhappy with referee Anthony Taylor saying he changed the game.
“All the 50/50 decisions did not go in our favour for 15 minutes in a row and he had a big influence in the game,” he said.
Van Gaal also revealed United practised penalty the day before the match and out of 20 kicks, Sergion Romero saved one and De Gea none.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez thought his side didn’t deserve to lose.
He said: “It was as cruel as it can be. We did not have the best first half and United dictated play, but we showed a strong mentality to dig in and stay in the game, but we still had the two best chances of the half.
“We were transformed in the second half and played with an incredible tempo and intensity.
“The penalty miss was a big moment, but we then scored a goal then it became heartbreaking as United scored their winner against the run of play. We didn’t deserve to lose on our second-half display.
“And had the game gone into extra time, I think we would have been the strongest team, and that is why were are so disappointed.
“You need a bit of luck, but it was heartbreaking to lose in the last minute.”
Everton should have gone ahead in the fourth minute when Lukaku beat Tim Fosu-Mensah to a high ball and burst through on goal. He rounded De Gea, but Rooney saved the day with a goalline headed clearance.
Lukaku had another golt-edge chance after quarter of an hour bursting clear again, though a bad touch forced him wide and De Gea saved his angled shot.
United created six chances, but never looked like scoring until Fellaini finally broke the deadlock after 34 minutes. Marcus Rashford released Marshall on the left and he cut the ball back for the Belgium to fire home from eight yards.
Everton were given a way back into the game when Fosu-Mensah brought down Ross Barkley, but Lukaku’s penalty was brilliantly saved by De Gea low to his right.
The Toffees suddenly came alive as Barkley, Tom Cleverley and Lukaku all had great chances before the equaliser came with 15 minutes left.
Substitute Gerard Deulofeu sent over a superb cross from the right and Smalling, trying to cut it out, sliced the ball into his own net.
The dangerous Deulofeu then cut in from the left and his shot was beaten out by De Gea and just behind the onrushing Lukaku.
Lukaku then headed wide stretching to reach a cross from Leighton Baines and then free in front of goal eight yards out Fellaini made a last-ditch tackle as he was about the pull the trigger. Those misses summed up his day.
Everton were well on top when United came up with a 92nd minute winner when a neat flick by substitute Ander Herrera released Martial who made no mistake with a shot from the edge of the box low to the left of keeper Joel Robles.
The goal sparked joyous scenes and brought about a booking for Martial as he ended up in the crowd behind the goal. It was a moment of sheer relief because United had been under the cosh at the time.