Casemiro scored twice on Saturday as Manchester United turned on the style to beat 10-man Reading 3-1 and reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, as Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min ended his recent goal drought.
On a day lacking major shocks, there were wins for English Premier League strugglers Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton, but Fulham were held by EFL Championship side Sunderland.
United produced more compelling evidence they are back on track under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Photo: AFP
The home side took the lead at Old Trafford in the 54th minute when Anthony produced a defense-splitting pass to find Brazilian teammate Casemiro, who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Lumley.
Four minutes later United were two up, when Casemiro let fly with a stunning strike from outside the box to find the bottom corner.
With the home side brimming with confidence, substitute Fred produced an audacious flick from Bruno Fernandes’ low cross to the near post to make the game safe.
By then ,Reading were down to 10 men after Andy Carroll was sent off for a second booking, but Paul Ince’s side still managed to score a consolation goal.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire said that former Real Madrid star Casemiro was a “phenomenal player.”
“You don’t win what he’s won without being a top player,” he said. “He’s improved the team, the morale and the performance.”
Harry Kane was left on the bench for Spurs’ match at Preston North End, meaning he missed out on a chance to break his tie with Jimmy Greaves and become Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer.
In the absence of the England captain, Son stepped up with two fine finishes for a much-needed confidence boost.
The South Korean, who shared the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season, had scored just once in his previous 17 appearances for club and country.
Yet 30-year-old Son brought the fourth-round tie to life after a lackluster first half with a sumptuous curling strike with his left foot, and he killed the tie off 21 minutes from time by spinning his marker and firing high past Freddie Woodman.
Arnaut Danjuma then marked his debut for Tottenham with a goal as his scuffed finish from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross found the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
“I needed those goals for my confidence,” Son said. “As a striker or as an attacking player, the important thing is that you get that goal.”
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