Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United’s split personality was once again on display at Wembley as they became the eighth consecutive team to knock Tottenham Hotspur out of an FA Cup semi-final since 1991.
Tottenham’s neighbours and rivals Arsenal have won the FA Cup eight times since ’91, while United have now beaten Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs since February.
When United win an important game, as they did against a Tottenham side who had outclassed them in their three previous trips to London, Mourinho usually demands credit from his many critics all too ready to declare he is a spent force, that his team plays unattractive football and he is not getting the best from his expensively assembled players.
They point to the vast gap between second-place United and their neighbours and champions Manchester City, slating Mourinho's often surly demeanour and provocative comments. Some United fans share those views and come to the fore whenever United lose.
Only convincing victories silence them temporarily.
United were convincing against Tottenham, though not for the first 25 minutes when the hosts raced into another early lead – this time after 10 minutes rather than the mere 10 seconds that it took when the teams last met in January.
Christian Eriksen was initially the best player on the pitch, while Dele Alli’s finish for the opener sealed a fine Spurs move down the right after Davison Sanchez struck a long ball to Son Heung-min, who had found space to cross behind Ashley Young and Paul Pogba.
The tempo was fast and furious on a hazy, humid day, but, as Spurs surged forward, United did not buckle.
The Messi goal
The Sanchez goal
After Alexis Sanchez, who was booed for his Arsenal connections, hung in the air to magnificently head in a 24th-minute equaliser from a cross from the equally maligned Pogba, United were the better side.
Sanchez’s goal was reminiscent of that of another diminutive South American forward, Lionel Messi, in the 2009 Uefa Champions League final for Barcelona against Manchester United. The Chilean rose so implausibly high to meet the ball and arched his back so much that Spurs’ goalkeeper Michel Vorm remained rooted and did not attempt to save it.
It was Sanchez’s eighth goal in eight games at Wembley for clubs and country.
Then, the other Manchester United turned up, gradually asserting their authority in a second half in which Sanchez shone, Ander Herrera’s 61st-minute winner sent them to a joint record 20th FA Cup final on May 19th against Chelsea or Southampton.
Tottenham’s best team since the 60s need some silverware to confirm their undoubted talent. Defeat at Wembley means they are now on the longest trophy drought in their history. Their season is now reduced to near meaningless league matches as they seek to maintain their five-point cushion to qualify for the Champions League before they move into their stunning new stadium.
United have another opportunity for Mourinho to feel vindicated by a successful season even when it has felt anything but at times. Yet, as Mourinho pointed out for the benefit of critics who constantly refuse to rate his United, they are likely to finish second rather than last season’s distant sixth. They will also have the highest points total since 2013 when the team last won the league.
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More on Manchester United
Jose Mourinho has challenged Manchester United's Paul Pogba to 'keep a certain level'
Ian Oxborrow: Mourinho's case for defence as United merry-go-round keeps spinning
Richard Jolly: Mourinho's attempts at meritocracy hard to action with transfer policy
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Talking up second spot is not where United want to be, but that is the reality and it is by far their best finish since Ferguson left. Try telling over 40,000 United fans who enjoyed a fine day at Wembley and have a return to look forward to in a month’s time that there is no joy in watching their team at present.
Pogba needed a big performance and enjoyed one. Ditto Sanchez and defender Phil Jones, another with demons to exorcise after an abject display at Spurs in January.
Striker Romelu Lukaku remains full of confidence, Ander Herrera is enjoying his best form of a frustrating season where he has started only a third of the league games. But like a delayed daffodil, the combative Spaniard tends to flower in April. His best performance last season came in an April game against Chelsea, in 2015 it came in another spring flourish.
After disappointments in the Premier League and the Champions League, United’s season remains alive. Tottenham’s does not.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Volvo ES90 Specs
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')