Fulham manager Marco Silva said he does not anticipate a lengthy ban for striker Aleksandr Mitrovic after he tried to grab referee Chris Kavanagh during five minutes of madness against Manchester United on Sunday.
Fulham led the FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford 1-0 through Mitrovic with a little over 20 minutes to go when Willian blocked a goal-bound Jadon Sancho shot on the line with his arm.
Kavanagh initially signalled for a corner but was sent by VAR Neil Swarbrick to the screen, where he dismissed a protesting Silva.
After the inevitable penalty decision – converted by Bruno Fernandes – and a red card for Willian, Fulham’s goalscorer Mitrovic raged at Kavanagh and tried to pull him back by the arm – with only 40 seconds separating the three dismissals.
Paolo Di Canio got an 11-game ban for pushing Paul Alcock to the ground in 1998, but Mitrovic’s grab was far less dramatic.
“I don’t think so,” Silva said of a potential long ban for his captain and top scorer. “I saw the image of course and I already spoke with Mitro. It is a moment for him to control the emotions.
“Of course he pushed the referee but I didn’t see that being so bad as you are saying, so I hope the people who are going to decide, decide with the fairness the moment deserves.”
Fulham had wanted two first-half penalties, both involving Mitrovic, who felt he was shoved by Luke Shaw early on before tangling with Lisandro Martinez soon after.
Asked if he could repeat what he said to Kavanagh in the buildup to his own dismissal, Silva snapped: "I don't remember. That he was a really nice guy, or the decision was fair or something like that."
Marcel Sabitzer scored two minutes after Fernandes' successful penalty and the latter added a third United goal deep into time added on.
United will face Brighton at Wembley with hopes of lifting the FA Cup for a 13th time and add it to the League Cup won last month.
United were second best on the balance of play before the penalty incident, and while Erik ten Hag was happy with the result he knows his side can play better.
“I am happy and pleased with the performance but I see a lot of room for improvement,” he said. “On the ball today was an example, we have to show more composure, recognise where the overload is, use that overload.
“In attacking transitions today was some good examples we can definitely do better.”
Ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 8 - Tipped a Diop header over as Fulham started well and pressured his box from wide. Crowd nervous when the ball went back to him. Top save from Robinson on 46 and then, with his fingers, from Willian a minute later. Diving save from Mitrovic on 65 – kept United in the game. AFP -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7 - Poor ball to Rashford allowed a seventh minute Fulham attack. Space to bomb forward as United’s front three bunched tightly. Beaten to a ball by Willian in the first half, then could do little as Mitrovic put Fulham ahead. Better when Antony came on. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 7 - Put under pressure and looked heavy as Reed won the ball from him. Clashed with Mitrovic on 25 but no penalty given. Steady Eddy. Getty -
Harry Maguire 6 - Started after playing well in Seville. Too tight on Mitrovic and booked after 21. Put his hands on De Cordova-Reid to concede a foul when he didn’t need to but made a strong header to clear a Pereira cross. Reuters -
Luke Shaw 7 - Beaten by Reed as Fulham attacked again on 25. Set up Sabitzer for the second with a cross and much better in the second when he always looked to get forward. AFP -
Scott McTominay 6 - Outshone by Reed and Willian in the middle. Had one shot. First player off in a poor performance for his team. It would become eventful after he departed. AP -
Marcel Sabitzer 7 - Played in Rashford for a 31st minute attack. Strong shot on target after 39 then put a ball across the goal on 41. Finely weighted ball towards Rashford on 67. Better as the game went on and scored the second goal. Getty -
Marcus Rashford 6 - Tidy without getting into the game. Set Weghorst up early on, then played a super ball towards to the same player in the first half. Left the pitch with the Stretford End singing his name. Getty -
Jadon Sancho 7 - Almost nothing in the first half bar a ball to set up Sabitzer. Better in the second when he was more central. Had a first effort on target deflected wide by Rashford on 67. His shot led to United’s penalty, Fulham fury and an equaliser. Passed to Shaw who set up the second. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 8 - Floored by Willian after eight, put a ball in too close to Leno on 17. Brilliant tackle to set off a first half attack. Side-footed a Rashford set up wide on 53, then put the penalty in after Fulham had been reduced to nine and no manager. Scored the third, teeing it up to strike the ball solidly and confirm a trip to Wembley. Getty Images -
Wout Weghorst 5 - A nuisance and a battering ram who works hard but seldom scores. Weak shot on target after 11. Involved in what build ups United had but would a better No 9 have taken some of the chances that came his way. AFP -
SUBS: Antony 7 - On for McTominay after 57. Attacked on the break and set up Sancho in the lead to the attack which saw United’s penalty. AFP -
Fred 6 - On for Rashford after 82. Set up Fernandes in time added on. AP -
FULHAM RATINGS: Bernd Leno 5 - Comfortable commanding his area and made the stops that were expected, but Fulham’s defence collapsed after the equaliser to see him concede three goals in the final stages. AP -
Antonee Robinson 6 - Handled the threat of Antony well and showed intent when in attacking areas, though could have been more accurate with his crossing. Getty -
Tim Ream 6 - Positioned well alongside Issa Diop and didn’t have too much to deal with before the penalty. Took care of the ball when transitioning it out of defence. AFP -
Issa Diop 7 - Assured in defence and helped get his side in front with an astute flick that guided the ball into Mitrovic for the opener. Showed patience against Antony when the winger looked to play inside. Getty -
Kenny Tete 7 - Made overlapping runs down the right-flank, and he was incisive with his decisions to get crosses into the box. Kept Sancho quiet for the most part, but faced a struggle after Fulham found themselves down to nine. AP -
Joao Palhinha 8 - A solid midfield display saw Palhinha, the Premier League’s leading tackler this season, demonstrate all of his abilities by consistently breaking up United attacks. Reuters -
Harrison Reed 6 - Breezed past Lisandro Martinez in the first half and looked confident. Appeared to slow down in the second half after a slight knock to his hamstring. Getty -
Willian 4 - Looked to dribble directly at the opposition and tested David De Gea from range, but most significant moment came when he handled Jadon Sancho’s shot on the line before a VAR check saw him sent off and a penalty awarded. AP -
Andreas Pereira 7 - Always tried to make things happen when in possession, and enjoyed success with the most number of key passes of any player. Intelligent with his positioning that saw him find space in dangerous areas. AFP -
Bobby Reid 6 - Kept things simple to help maintain attacking phases for Fulham in Manchester United’s half. Could have done more in terms of plays that were truly threatening to the defence. Reuters -
Aleksandar Mitrovic 3 - Troubled United throughout the game in the box that eventually got the Cottagers into the lead. Sent off for shoving the referee to put Fulham down to nine men – seconds after they had gone down to 10. AFP -
SUBS: Tom Cairney, Daniel James, Cedric Soares, Manor Solomon. N/A. REUTERS
