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FA Cup

Aston Villa - Manchester United recap
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Pogba: Manchester United hoping to win FA Cup, Europa League

By Nicholas MendolaJul 9, 2020, 5:42 PM EDT
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Paul Pogba and Manchester United are cruising through matches and sending a message to the Premier League.

The Red Devils won by three-or-more goals for the fourth-straight match, something that hasn’t been done in the history of the PL, and moved within a point of fourth place thanks to a 3-0 demolition of Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday.

[ RECAP: Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd ]

Injured for most of the year, Pogba scored his first goal of the season in the win. He’s been looking tremendous in the midfield since returning from the coronavirus pause, and has even triggered hope that he’ll sign a new long-term deal with United.

Pogba was asked how he’s feeling about his time at Old Trafford and where it may run:

“Right now I’ve been injured for a very long time,” Pogba said. “I focused on myself to get back and help the team as much as I can. This year I have two goals, to go for the Europa League and the FA Cup so we focus on that.”

United faces Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinal and has one foot, well, most of its body in the Europa League quarterfinals.

The Frenchman says it’s good that the Red Devils are playing as well as they have been, but he’s not getting carried away with accolades.

ASTON VILLA – MANCHESTER UNITED FULL MATCH REPLAY

“We didn’t win the Premier League,” he said. “That’s the goal. We didn’t win anything this year so obviously we have to keep working. There’s a lot to do.”

Pogba thinks United can achieve all of their season goals regardless of what the top four chasers do, but cautioned that the Red Devils cannot ignore their poor start to Thursday’s win.

“We are our own enemy. We have to play not like we did the first 15 minutes but how we finished the game.”

Man City beats Newcastle to complete FA Cup semifinal field

Newcastle - Man City recap
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By Nicholas MendolaJun 28, 2020, 3:22 PM EDT
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Manchester City wasn’t at its best but took care of business in a 2-0 FA Cup quarterfinal win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne scored a first-half penalty and Raheem Sterling scored a pretty second-half goal in the win.

Sterling’s goal came moments after Dwight Gayle had one of the worst howlers you’ll see this year, but City controlled the match and deserved the win.

Man City joins Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea in the semis. City will meet Arsenal on July 19, one day after Chelsea battles Man Utd.

[ MORE: Liverpool win Premier League – everything to know ]

It’s no surprise that Man City was in control in the opening half-hour. After one half hour, Newcastle had completed less than 10 percent of the passes of City (188-15).

Raheem Sterling forced a great save out of Karl Darlow and Riyad Mahrez also just missed with an effort as the defending tournament champs possessed and possessed against Newcastle’s well-drilled group.

Fabian Schar shoved Gabriel Jesus to the turf in silly fashion on a cross that was never going to meet the Brazilian, and De Bruyne put City up 1-0 in the 37th minute.

Newcastle was much better in the second half, and it should’ve been 1-1 when Allan Saint-Maximin cued up Dwight Gayle atop the six. The striker somehow sailed it over the goal.

Raheem Sterling put the tie to bed within moments, curling a beautiful strike around Darlow and inside the far post.

It was Sterling’s 22nd goal of the season, giving him a goal in five competitions including the Premier League (12), Champions League (5), League Cup (3), and Community Shield.

Premier League giants learn FA Cup draw

FA Cup semifinal draw
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By Nicholas MendolaJun 28, 2020, 2:38 PM EDT
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The FA Cup semifinal draw avoided London and Manchester derbies, keeping those possibilities alive for the final.

The FA conducted the semifinal draw during the break at St. James’ Park, delivering two intriguing ties.

[ LAMPARD: Pulisic can reach Salah, Sterling level ]

Manchester United will meet Chelsea in a July 18 semifinal at Wembley Stadium in London.

One day later, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal meet Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s men won 2-0 at Newcastle United on Sunday to complete the field.

[ RELATED: Liverpool win title – everything to know ]

Chelsea advanced to the semifinal behind a Ross Barkley goal at Leicester City, while Dani Ceballos lifted Arsenal past Sheffield United and Harry Maguire was Manchester United’s difference maker at Norwich City.

Lampard issues Pulisic injury update, verdict on halftime subs

Pulisic injury update
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By Nicholas MendolaJun 28, 2020, 1:52 PM EDT
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Days after hailing Christian Pulisic as a player who can reach the levels of Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling, the American’s manager at Chelsea was detailing the player’s injury concerns.

Frank Lampard got another strong performance out of Pulisic in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Leicester City in the FA Cup quarterfinal on Sunday, but removed the player with 18 minutes to play.

“He felt tightness in his calf during second drinks break so took him off straight away,” Lampard said, via Football.London. “We’ll see in next day. Andreas had a problem in his hip, didn’t feel comfortable in training yesterday so was out of the squad.”

[ MORE: U.S. coach Marsch wins Austrian double ]

The game was not in Chelsea’s favor at halftime, and the manager did not hesitate to remove three young players.

Reece James was the best of the three but was removed for mainstay Cesar Azpilicueta, while struggling Billy Gilmour and Mason Mount were replaced by Mateo Kovacic and eventual goal scorer Ross Barkley.

“Mason has given a lot of input in two games this week. Reece hasn’t played in a long time, Billy the same. They are going to be top players for this club no matter what. A fact of how I saw the game. They all train well, have great work ethic. Just the circumstances today.”

We’ll hope for the best on Pulisic, who will want to continue to assert himself as a starter before Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and perhaps others arrive for Chelsea’s 2020-21 season.

Plus: “Christian Pulisic, FA Cup winner” would be a nice line for the USMNT star’s resume.

Barkley slides Chelsea into FA Cup semis; Pulisic gets treatment

Leicester City - Chelsea recap
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By Nicholas MendolaJun 28, 2020, 12:51 PM EDT
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Ross Barkley’s second-half goal sent Chelsea into the FA Cup semifinals after a 1-0 defeat of Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Chelsea joins Manchester United and Arsenal in the semis, with Man City and Newcastle to decide the fourth entrant later Sunday.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic was fantastic in the win, though he was shown getting ice on his left calf following a 72nd-minute substitution.

Pulisic finished the day with two shots, a key pass, two fouls drawn, seven-of-12 duels won, and two dribbles completed.

[ LAMPARD: Pulisic can reach Salah, Sterling level ]

An early error from Billy Gilmour sprung a first-minute chance for Leicester that Willy Caballero collected in the six.

In-form Pulisic was lively early, drawing a 16th-minute free kick in the Leicester final third. His suboptimal header of Reece James’ service was caught by Kasper Schmeichel, however.

Pulisic forced a more difficult save out of Schmeichel before the half-hour mark, both teams looking prepared to score.

[ RELATED: Liverpool win title – everything to know ]

Jamie Vardy dragged a left-footed effort wide of goal off a partial breakway just before halftime, though Caballero may have had the angle covered.

Barkley put Chelsea ahead through a slick bit of work from Willian. The 26-year-old’s fourth goal of the season is his third to go with an assist in four FA Cup outings this season.

Caglar Soyuncu came close to equalizing in the 85th minute but he was denied a clear header by a closing-in Cesar Azpilicueta.

Barkley bungled a late 4-on-2 with an errant pass before challenging Schmeichel with a drive from outside the 18.